Director of Behavioral Health and Wellness

This position is an assignment for the 2025-2026 school year.

Education:

Master’s degree or higher in counseling, social work, applied behavior analysis, psychology, or a related social or behavioral health field from an accredited institution.

Valid North Dakota credential as a licensed school counselor or social work licensed through theNorth Dakota Board of Social Work, or other applicable professional licensure (e.g., LicensedClinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC/LPCC)).

Qualifications:

Minimum of three (3) to five (5) years of demonstrated expertise in best practices in school-basedand/or community-based behavioral, mental, physical health, and/ or equity support, with experienceat various levels of prevention and intervention.

Experience demonstrating effective leadership.

Ability to work efficiently independently, meet deadlines, demonstrate strategic thinking and good decision-making, and collaborate with a variety of individuals and entities.

Ability to engage with and develop relationships with community constituents, students, staff and

families.

Preferred experience includes leading or training individuals in mental or behavioral health related systems and expert knowledge of techniques needed to implement function-based interventions.

Experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities, mental illness, or those who display challenging behavior.

Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to the following:

Provide leadership, supervision, coaching, evaluation, and management of personnel within thebehavioral health and wellness department.

Oversee the hiring, development, and evaluation of personnel within the department and assist inhiring staff who support behavioral health and wellness initiatives in other departments.

Coordinate and direct efforts related to the district's strategic plan wellness goals, including annual review and updates.

Establish, monitor, and maintain a comprehensive district-wide behavioral, mental, physical health,and equity needs assessment and gap analysis.

Design, coordinate, and deliver professional development to staff related to behavioral health issues, mental health services, crisis de-escalation strategies, and crisis response, ensuring compliance with legislative mandates.

Lead collaborative efforts amongst school counselors, social workers, school psychologists, and behavioral support staff surrounding mental health awareness and challenges.

Oversee efforts to implement mental health initiatives (e.g., Sources of Strength, Mental Health First Aid, CBITS) and collaborate with community partners regarding these initiatives.

Provide leadership, advocacy, and collaboration at the school, district, and state levels to ensure implementation and evaluation of mental health supports.

Collaborate with the Executive Director of Special Education to establish systematic behavioral health efforts.

Facilitate the integration of social emotional learning (SEL) within the core educational curriculum.

Provide leadership and support in the area of trauma-informed practices.

Advocate for students’ mental health needs by assisting school leaders in the review and analysis of school and district data.

Provide mental health literacy resources for district mental health professionals, teachers, and students, including classroom presentations.

Work with local agencies and mental health providers to coordinate efforts to promote resiliency and strengthen families in the community.

Provide or facilitate training support to school officials regarding crisis response efforts.

Oversee and manage departmental duties including budget, evaluations, staffing needs, contracts, memorandums of understanding, and grants.

Create and implement systems to support learners with complex behavioral health and wellness needs, ensuring equitable access.

Develop a communication and referral process for learners and educators to ensure access to wellness supports.

Perform duties outside of typical school operating hours, including nights and weekends, as needed.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Work Environment and Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; occasionally walk and stand. The ability to hear and see in order to communicate effectively as well as communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; Maintain effective audio/visual discrimination and perception to the degree necessary for the successful performance of assigned duties; Maintain mental capacity, allowing for effective interaction and communication with others.

Occasionally may need to lift up to fifty (50); reaching, standing, walking, carrying, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, sitting, and/or crawling within the classroom.

Terms of Employment: 240 Contract Days

Evaluation: Evaluation by the Supervisor at least twice each year in the first three years of service, and at least once each year thereafter.

Please note: Grand Forks Public Schools is currently in negotiations so all final salary determinations will be made after negotiations are finalized.