Mental Health Counselor III - Biliterate (Spanish/English) Preferred & Grant Funded Positions Subject to Lay-off at the End of Grant. na Santa Cruz County Office Of Education

The Santa Cruz County Office of Education is committed to ensuring all students have the educational opportunities they need to thrive. We offer a wide range of services and programs geared at supporting our 10 public school districts and expanding educational opportunities and outcomes for the nearly 40,000 students who call Santa Cruz County home. We envision an impactful educational community where everyone feels they belong and have the resources, relationships, and skills to thrive. Our mission is to create an equitable educational system that fosters growth, opportunities, and well-being for all. We work alongside partners in Santa Cruz County’s educational community to build BRIDGES — Belonging, Relationships, Innovation, Data-informed decision-making, Growth mindsets, Excellence, and Sustainability — to equity in education. The Santa Cruz County Office of Education is an equal opportunity employer.

This position will be assigned to Student Support Services: Under general direction, the Mental Health Counselor III provides coordination and oversight of school-based mental health and wellness services within Santa Cruz County's continuum of care. The primary duties include improving student outcomes by integrating mental health supports into schools, reducing stigma around mental illness, increasing trauma-responsive supports, assisting students in accessing mental health services, and fostering collaboration between schools and community partners. This position also involves providing direct mental health services and case management to students and families, as well as developing and delivering school-wide interventions, programs, and training. May exercise leadership responsibilities over other staff; may exercise technical and functional leadership of other staff. This position is a 10 month position in which the employee will report from August to May while school is in session. This position is grant-funded and subject to lay off on June 30, 2028. This position is biliterate (Spanish/English) preferred.

Application Procedures: Applicants must submit a completed application and are encouraged to attach a résumé and license (LCSW, LMFT, LPCC) to the application material. Qualified applicants will be invited to an oral examination covering the knowledge and skills required. An eligibility list will be established and the top three ranks of candidates will be interviewed for final consideration and appointment. The eligibility list established will remain in effect for a period of six (6) months unless it no longer exists due to an insufficient number of available candidates. If an applicant needs reasonable accommodation, we must be informed prior to the administration of the test. Applicants will be invited to a bilingual proficiency exam and must pass the Oral section to receive the 2.5% Bilingual Stipend. Alternatively, they can take the biliterate proficiency exam and pass the Oral, Written and Reading sections to receive the 5% Biliterate Stipend. If selected, fingerprinting is required. You will need to supply our office with a negative tuberculosis test clearance. The certificate is good for a four-year period. You can have the test done through the Santa Cruz Health Department, Doctors on Duty Clinic or by calling a physician or a clinic of your choice.

Please read the complete job description. Education: Master’s degree in counseling, social work, psychology, or a related field from an accredited college or university. Experience: Two (2) years of experience in direct counseling with diverse populations of students and families, including: collaborative experience in child welfare, mental health, and probation services is preferred; experience in supporting the implementation of complex programs; experience supporting students in need of mental health services in a school setting. License or Certificate: Possession of a valid California Board of Behavioral Sciences Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) license, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), or Clinical Psychologist certification. Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver’s license and appropriate vehicle operation insurance.

Based on the 2025-2026 Classified Salary Schedule (Salary range placement depends on education/experience).

Benefits: Employees assigned to this schedule are entitled to receive vision, dental and medical coverage for the employee and their dependents. Employees have a choice between various medical plans. Each plan may have an employee premium contribution amount for which the employee can utilize a tax sheltered Section 125 Plan. Retirement benefits are accrued through the Public Employee Retirement System (CalPERS). CalPERS members are required to pay their portion of the retirement plan. The employee also receives long-term disability insurance and life insurance. For more information please review the Classified Summary of the Benefits Administration Page on the Santa Cruz County Office of Education website or read it on the link to the right under Links Related to this Job. The Santa Cruz County Office of Education provides an Associate Degree stipend of $375, a Bachelor’s Degree stipend of $750, a Master's Degree stipend of $1,500, a Doctorate Degree (no Master's) of $1,500 or a Doctorate Degree (with Master's) of an additional $400 per year for eligible employees. Degree stipend is prorated based upon full time equivalent. INFORMATION FROM THE DEPARTMENT: The Student Support Services department is seeking a dedicated professional to collaborate with LEAs in implementing clinical supports and best practices for their mental health staff. This role will focus on ensuring high-quality service delivery while seamlessly integrating these supports into the LEA’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS). The ideal candidate will work closely with educators, administrators, and providers to enhance student outcomes through effective, evidence-based interventions. This is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact by optimizing clinical services within an educational framework that supports the whole child. You may contact Lauren Fein, LMFT for further information: [email protected] or 831.466.5703