School Wellness Specialist (Social Worker, Counselor)
Springville Union School District: Job Description
Salary Scale: $61,910 - $80,779/year starting (depending on years of service)
Job Summary: The School Wellness Specialist supports the mental, emotional, and social well-being of students,
helping them overcome challenges that may affect their academic success and overall health. They collaborate
with students, families, and school staff to promote a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment. Through
counseling, crisis intervention, preventive programs, and collaboration with community agencies, the Wellness
Specialist works to foster the emotional and social development of students, while addressing issues like stress,
trauma, physical needs (i.e. food, clothing, etc.), and mental health challenges.
Job Duties will include:
• Individual and Group Counseling:
o Provide one-on-one and group counseling for students experiencing emotional, social, or
behavioral challenges (e.g., anxiety, depression, bullying, family issues).
o Utilize counseling and therapeutic techniques (e.g., cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness,
relaxation strategies, curriculum) to help students build coping skills.
o Lead social-emotional learning (SEL) sessions to promote positive behaviors and healthy emotional
development.
• Crisis Intervention:
o Respond to emergencies and high-risk situations involving students, such as self-harm, suicide
risk, or severe emotional distress.
o Collaborate with school staff and parents to create immediate action plans, including formal safety
plans, for crisis management.
o Provide short-term counseling and follow-up support to students in crisis.
• Case Management:
o Develop and implement personalized wellness plans to address students' mental health,
emotional, and social needs.
o Refer students and families to external services such as mental health professionals, community
organizations, or social services.
o Monitor the progress of students and provide ongoing support, ensuring effective use of community
resources.
• Collaboration and Consultation:
o Work closely with teachers, school psychologists, administrators, and other staff to address the
wellness needs of students.
o Participate in student meetings (e.g., Individualized Education Program (IEP), 504 Plan, and SST) to
support students with special needs.
o Provide training to school staff on topics related to student wellness, mental health awareness, and
trauma-informed practices.
• Advocacy:
o Advocate for students’ emotional and mental health needs within the school system, ensuring
access to appropriate resources and support.
o Work with parents and community organizations to connect families with services that enhance
student wellness (e.g., healthcare, counseling, social support).
• Prevention and Wellness Programs:
o Provides consultation and training for Social Emotional Learning and other mental health initiatives.
o Assists school staff in identifying services through a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) lens.
o Coordinate social-emotional screening, analyze data, and use data to implement interventions for
students in need of support.
o Design, implement, and/or support school-wide wellness programs, and help promote a positive
school culture of belonging, well-being, mindfulness, and inclusion.
o Facilitate workshops and educational programs on topics such as emotional regulation, self-care,
resilience, positive parenting, and conflict resolution.
• Documentation and Reporting:
o Maintain accurate records of student interactions, services provided, and progress made on
wellness plans.
o Provide reports on student well-being to school leadership, parents, and external agencies, as
required.
o Ensure compliance with ethical and legal standards for confidentiality and student privacy.
• Family and Community Engagement:
o Provide guidance and support to families in managing challenges that impact students' wellness,
such as trauma, homelessness, or family conflict.
o Foster strong connections between the school and the broader community, working to create a
network of support for students and their families.
Qualifications:
• Education: Master’s degree in social work or counseling, or a related field.
• Certification/Licensure: Appropriate state licensure or certification for mental health professionals (e.g.,
PPS, LCSW, LPC, LMFT).
• Experience: Prior experience in school settings, counseling, or working with children and families is
preferred.
Skills and Competencies:
• Empathy and Compassion: Ability to provide emotional support and actively listen to students and
families.
• Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking: Skilled at identifying challenges and developing solutions to improve
student wellness.
• Cultural Sensitivity: Understanding of and respect for the diverse backgrounds and experiences of students
and their families.
• Organizational Skills: Ability to manage a caseload, track student progress, meet deadlines, follow-up and
collaborate as needed in a timely manner, and coordinate services.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills: Ability to communicate clearly and timely and engage
students and families from diverse backgrounds.
• Understanding of School Systems: Ability to effectively navigate the school setting, regular operations, and
technology, collaborate with school staff, and follow school policies, procedures, and educational laws
and ethics.
• Confidentiality: Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and follow all HIPPA and FERPA regulations.
Working Conditions:
• Typically work during school hours but may occasionally require flexibility for after-school events or
programs, meetings, or urgent situations.
• Position may require visits to community agencies, external meetings, or home visits depending on student
and family needs.
• Occasional evening or weekend hours may be needed for parent meetings, community outreach, or
professional development.
Physical Demands:
• Consideration will be given to reasonable accommodation for the following physical requirements:
• Employees are regularly required to sit, stand, walk, speak and hear.
• The employee will need to frequently perform repetitive hand/finger movements for activities such as, but
not limited to, using a keyboard’
• The employee is occasionally required to climb stairs, bend, reach with hands/arms, lift, stoop, kneel and
crouch.
• The employee will regularly be required to drive long distances to remote areas of the county and may be
required to lift and move equipment up to 25 lbs.
• Sufficient vision to read printed materials.
• Sufficient hearing to conduct in-person and telephone conversations.
• Sufficient mobility to move about the county office and other sites as may be required.
• Ability to speak in an understandable voice with sufficient volume to be heard at normal conversational
distance, on the telephone, and to address groups of varying sizes.
• Physical and emotional stamina to cope with sometimes stressful situations and conditions.
Other Requirements:
• Must be fingerprinted and a satisfactory Department of Justice records check must be received by
Springville Union School District prior to employment.
• TB testing and/or risk assessment will be required upon employment.
• May be required to drive with or without students; requires a California driver’s license, proof of insurance
and possible participation in the DMV Pull Notice Program once employed.
Reports To: Director of Special Services and other administrators
