Manager of Mental Health 

Position Overview 

The Manager of Mental Health will manage, observe and consult with social workers and counselors at all of our schools.  They will provide clinical consultation, manage the counseling programs at their sites, and evaluate effectiveness of programs for students with mental health needs.  The Manager of Mental Health will participate in staff development, program development, and innovation of special methods and approaches in the implementation of Social Emotional Learning practices. They will collaborate with school administrators and general education staff to effectively employ the special education and social and emotional learning programs and provide compliance expertise at assigned sites. The Manager of Mental Health will report to the Director of Student Services.  This position is a 12 month Regional School-based position.

Who we are:

KIPP St. Louis is a part of a national network of free, open-enrollment, public charter schools offering a choice to families and children in St. Louis city. As the largest charter school system in the city, we are driven and committed to our mission and vision.

Mission: Together with families and communities, we create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose—college, career, and beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world.

Vision: Every child grows up free to create the future they want for themselves and their communities.

KIPP St. Louis currently educates over 2,000 students and boasts hundreds of alumni. Today, our St. Louis network consists of three elementary schools, two middle schools, and a high school. 

What makes KIPP St. Louis unique?

We believe that our educators are proving what's possible in urban education each and every day, by inspiring students, and helping them discover the joy of learning. KIPP schools support our educators to help students achieve academic excellence, building the skills and confidence they need to succeed.  

Together, we are raising the bar for every student, every day.

Position type: Full time, exempt, 12 Month    

Reporting & Collaboration​

• Direct Manager: Vice President of Student Services & Experience

• Direct Reports: Mental Health Professionals responsible for counseling, crisis response, Tier 3 support, CARE/MTSS coordination, Section 504 mental health supports, and related student support services.

• Key Collaborators: School Leaders, Special Education leaders and case managers, Behavior Climate Specialist, Student Support staff, Regional Student Services team, teachers, families, and external mental health and community-based partners.

Autonomy & Decision Making​

• Exercises judgment in the day-to-day leadership of school-based mental health systems across assigned campuses.

• Supervises and develops Mental Health Professionals to strengthen practice and build staff capacity.

• Sets the bar for high-quality service delivery and monitors implementation across schools.

• Ensures mental health supports are aligned to KIPP St. Louis’ broader student experience priorities.

• Makes decisions related to clinical coaching, staff performance, intervention quality, and crisis response coordination.

• Oversees the implementation and fidelity of CARE/MTSS processes and mental health-related special education and student support practices.

• Escalates high-risk or high-impact issues when needed, while independently leading continuous improvement efforts.

• Proactively identifies risks, solves problems early, and drives consistent execution across campuses.

Inputs: What will I be doing in my day to day work?

Team Leadership & Staff Development

• Supervise, coach, and develop school-based Mental Health Professionals and other assigned mental health staff.

• Conduct regular one-on-ones, observations, feedback cycles, professional development, and performance conversations to strengthen staff practice.

• Build team capacity in evidence-based interventions, documentation, crisis response, family partnership, and school-based collaboration.

• Support role clarity, caseload management, and prioritization so that staff time is aligned to student needs and compliance expectations.

Mental Health Systems Implementation

• Lead the implementation of high-quality mental health systems across assigned schools, ensuring alignment with regional expectations for student support, SEL, MTSS/behavior, and access to learning.

• Support schools in building coherent systems for Tier 3 intervention, crisis response, re-entry planning, and coordinated student support.

• Strengthen school-based CARE/MTSS structures so that students with intensive behavioral and social-emotional needs receive timely, coordinated support.

• Partner with school leaders to identify barriers, solve implementation challenges, and improve consistency across campuses.

Clinical Quality & Compliance

• Monitor the fidelity and quality of IEP counseling services, behavior intervention supports, progress monitoring, risk assessments, and related documentation.

• Provide consultation on complex student cases, including students with significant behavioral, emotional, or mental health needs.

• Support compliance related to special education counseling services, Section 504  accommodations, crisis documentation, and other required student support records.

• Provide counseling sessions at each school (this is dependent on scholar needs per IEP/504 Plans)

• Review service delivery trends, documentation quality, and case practices to ensure strong execution and reduce compliance risk.

• Serve as the McKinney Vento liaison for KIPP St Louis.

Crisis Response & Student Safety

• Support school teams and mental health staff in responding to acute mental health needs, student crises, and safety concerns.

• Provide coaching and oversight around risk assessment, de-escalation, crisis planning, postvention, and re-entry supports.

• Ensure schools have clear, consistent responses for high-risk student situations and that follow-up actions are completed with quality and urgency.

Professional Learning & Cross-Functional Partnership

• Design and facilitate professional development for mental health staff and, when needed, school-based staff on topics related to student mental health, trauma-informed practice, crisis prevention, and intervention systems.

• Partner with Special Education, school leadership, and other student support leaders to ensure mental health services are integrated with school operations and student support plans.

• Maintain productive relationships with families and external agencies to improve access to services and coordinated care for students.

Direct Student Support

• When needed, provide limited direct clinical support or case coverage in order to maintain continuity of services, address urgent student needs, and support school-based execution.

Outcomes: What will I be evaluated on?

• Strong leadership, development, and performance of assigned Mental Health Professionals and other supervised staff.

• High-quality, compliant implementation of school-based mental health services, including IEP counseling, crisis response, intervention documentation, and related student support requirements.

• Improved consistency and effectiveness of CARE/MTSS processes and Tier 3 mental health supports across assigned schools.

• Stronger student behavioral, social-emotional, and school access outcomes for students receiving intensive mental health support.

• Effective collaboration with school leaders and cross-functional teams, resulting in coherent student support systems that protect instructional time and increase access to learning.

• Timely identification of risks, proactive problem-solving, and continuous improvement based on service, compliance, and student outcome data.

• Clear, responsive partnership with families and external providers to ensure students receive coordinated support across school and community settings. 

What skills should I already bring, i.e., what should I already have a track record around?

• Supervising, coaching, and developing mental health or student support staff to improve practice and outcomes.

• Leading school-based or regional student support systems in a way that balances service quality, compliance, and operational feasibility.

• Using data, observation, and case trends to identify problems, monitor implementation, and drive continuous improvement.

• Facilitating difficult conversations, giving clear feedback, and holding a high bar for performance while maintaining strong relationships.

• Partnering effectively with school leaders, special education teams, and other cross-functional stakeholders to solve complex student support challenges.

• Managing ambiguity, prioritizing competing demands, and making sound decisions in fast-paced school environments.

• Leading or supporting professional development for adults in areas related to student mental health, behavior, or intervention systems.

• Driving results for students with intensive behavioral, emotional, and mental health needs.

What should I know a lot about already, i.e., what should I have expertise in?

• Evidence-based mental health interventions for children and adolescents in school settings.

• School-based mental health service delivery, including counseling, crisis response, risk assessment, and case coordination.

• Special education counseling services, IEP service delivery, behavior intervention planning, and related compliance requirements.

• MTSS/CARE systems and the design of coordinated interventions for students with intensive needs.

• Section 504 mental health accommodations and the practical implementation of school-based supports.

• Trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and student-centered practices that improve access, belonging, and regulation.

• Adult learning and staff development, including how to coach practitioners toward stronger implementation.

• School systems and leadership practices that align student support services to broader academic and culture priorities.

What we bring to the table:

Required

• Master’s of Social Work (MSW) or counseling degree (required)

• 2+ Required credentials: LCSW, LPC, or Certified School Counselor 

• Experience: 5+ years providing social work or counseling in a school setting

• Strong understanding of student mental health and behavioral support practices

• Commitment to improving outcomes for historically underserved students years of experience providing individual and group counseling to children or adolescents

• Experience working within or alongside Special Education systems, including delivering IEP-aligned counseling services and monitoring progress toward goals

• Ability to collaborate effectively with Special Education case managers and multidisciplinary teams

• Ability to maintain accurate service logs and meet all compliance and documentation requirements

• Ability to manage a caseload and consistently deliver required service minutes

• Understanding of confidentiality, ethical practice (FERPA/HIPAA), and trauma-informed care

• Knowledge of and ability to fulfill responsibilities aligned to the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act

• Familiarity with IDEA requirements and school-based compliance systems

Preferred

• Experience in a K–12 school-based setting supporting students with emotional and behavioral needs

• Experience collaborating with school leaders, families, and cross-functional teams

• Knowledge of MTSS frameworks aligned to Special Education

• Experience in urban or high-needs school environments

KIPP St. Louis is committed to pay equity and to ensuring that we do not unintentionally perpetuate historic wage gaps that persist due to individual negotiations.  As a result, salaries are not negotiated.  We are transparent about salaries in our job postings so that candidates can make an informed decision before beginning the hiring process.  The salary range is $65,000 to $90,000.

We are a fast paced, energetic team and family with passionate people who are leading a movement and to cultivate their best working environment we provide the following:

• $0 deductible healthcare plan option, including medical, vision and dental. 

• Employer Paid Short Term Disability. 

• $50,000 life insurance policy at no cost to the employee. 

• Retirement plan through PSSRSSL with an employer match up to 14% and an optional 403b as a supplement to our pension program

• Employee Recognition: When we succeed together, we celebrate together with our annual gala award ceremony, holiday party, and more!

• Public Service student loan forgiveness program qualified employer. 

• Ongoing professional development.

Generous time off:

• Paid leave for illness, personal days, bereavement, jury duty, and military-related leave

• Paid parental leave for new families

• Paid holidays, as well as a one week Thanksgiving break, a two-week winter break, a week-long spring break

• Wellness days provided throughout the year

If you are interested in working at KIPP St. Louis, please visit our website to find out how to apply! 

www.kippstl.org/apply

Check out our KIPP St. Louis video to learn more about KIPP St. Louis Public Schools!

KIPP St. Louis is committed to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment for all our students, families, teachers, staff and community members. As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or disability.