** This is a 10 (ten) month permanent position. Salary will be paid averaged over 12 (twelve) months for 10 (ten months) worked. The working days follow an Academic Calendar (middle of August-middle of June).  Work schedule will be Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.** 

ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The School Based Mental Health (SBMH) Program is a unique partnership between Polk County and 4 local school districts. Housed within the Family & Community Outreach Department, SBMH staff are placed in Elementary, Middle, and High School settings throughout rural Polk County. SBMH team members get to work with all students to address barriers to coming to school and being successful regardless of insurance or ability to pay.

SCHOOL BASED MENTAL HEALTH THERAPIST
This position provides a range of short-term and evidence based services, including individual and group skill-building, emotional support, crisis intervention and suicide assessments. Staff consult with families and school staff to assist with connecting students and families to community resources. Staff further develop a range of skills according to interests and individual school needs which may include classroom presentations on character education, anti-bullying, problem solving, suicide prevention, or social skill development.

Students served are diverse and unique. Staff may work with a student impacted by grief,anxiety, depression or behavior struggles, or a student with a goal around communication andincreasing positive relationships, The school-based mental health staff additionally assist withreferring students to more intensive therapeutic services according to the specific needs andchallenges of individual students.

Polk County, the Organization:
Polk County takes pride in knowing that our employees are what makes the County a great place to work. We have a strong desire for each employee to feel respected; connected to the department they work for as well as other County departments and the community at large; and know that they are critical to County business. We understand that work may be necessary, but not what should define each individual. We all have diverse personalities and interests away from the job, and at Polk County we encourage our employees to be connected to something bigger than work.

Benefits:
Polk County offers generous employee benefits including, but not limited to:

• 11 paid holidays per year
• 8 hours of vacation earned monthly with increases every 5 years
• 8 hours of sick leave earned monthly
• 4-5 Personal Leave Days earned each fiscal year (Depends on position; prorated depending on date of hire)
• PERS (Public Employees Retirement System) - 100% employer funded contributions
• Full health benefits for the employee and qualified family members with the employee paying only 10% of the premium 
• Basic life Insurance - employer paid
• Optional benefits such as additional life insurance, short term disability, deferred compensation savings program and flexible spending accounts for unreimbursed medical and dependent care expenses
• Qualifying employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

Please refer to the for the full job description and minimum experience, education and training requirements for this position.

** A cover letter is required. If you are a military veteran and want to apply for Veterans' Hiring Preference, you must attach the Veterans' Preference Form (available on our website) and your DD-214/215 and/or disability letter. **
 
** DO NOT ATTACH ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS (transcripts, letters of recommendation, certificates, etc.) They will not be considered at the application stage. You may bring them to the interview if you are selected to interview. ** 

Polk County is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities will be provided upon request.