What are the responsibilities and job description for the Behavioral and Mental Health Specialist position at La Joya Independent School District?
Job Title: Behavior and Mental Health Specialist Wage/Hour Status: Exempt
Reports to: Coordinator of Student Support Services
Pay Grade 2: Administrative Education
Dept./School: Family and Community Engagement Date Initiated: April 2025
WHO WE ARE
La Joya Independent School District (LJISD) is committed to the success of every student and staff member. With a century-long tradition of excellence in the Rio Grande Valley, we are proud to serve over 22,000 students across more than 30 campuses. Our mission—Educational Excellence: The Right of Every Student—drives our work every day.
We are grounded in five district priorities:
- Customer Service
- Trust & Transparency
- High-Quality Instruction
- Excellence in Leadership
- Integrity & Accountability
We believe that attracting, developing, and retaining high-quality talent is essential to student success.
WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR
La Joya ISD is seeking a Behavior and Mental Health Specialist who is committed to supporting students through trauma-informed practices, individualized behavior intervention plans, and family-focused strategies. The ideal candidate brings both clinical and educational expertise and can work across campuses to promote safe, inclusive learning environments for all students.
This individual should be a strong communicator, problem-solver, and collaborator who can support teachers, administrators, and families in implementing effective behavior strategies and social-emotional learning tools.
WHY LA JOYA ISD
You will be joining a district that is building on a strong tradition of athletic and academic excellence while rapidly evolving to create innovative systems that elevate student outcomes through athletics. As Executive Director, you will receive strategic, targeted support in your leadership journey and have access to high-quality, research-based professional development and resources. La Joya ISD is deeply committed to continuous improvement, data-driven decision-making, and fostering a culture of growth—for our students, staff, and athletic programs.
Education/ Certification:
- Bachelor’s degree in psychology, counseling, social work, or a related field (Master’s preferred)
- Valid Texas certification in counseling, social work, or teaching (preferred)
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), LCSW, or similar credentials (preferred)
Special Knowledge/Skills:
- Strong understanding of trauma-informed practices, behavior intervention, and mental health frameworks
- Knowledge of functional behavioral assessments (FBAs) and behavior intervention plans (BIPs)
- Ability to provide coaching and training for teachers and families
- Skilled in crisis intervention and de-escalation strategies
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred
Experience:
- Minimum three (3) years working with students in a counseling, behavioral intervention, or social-emotional support capacity
- Experience in school-based or youth mental health settings
Major Responsibilities and Duties:
Student Support and Intervention
- Conduct student observations and develop individualized Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) based on data and best practices
- Provide direct support to students through individual or small-group behavioral and emotional regulation sessions
- Participate in ARD and 504 meetings as needed to provide behavioral and emotional health input
- Collaborate with campus counselors, teachers, and administrators on the implementation of positive behavior support systems
- Serve on campus behavior teams and support Multi- Tiered System of Support (MTSS) efforts with behavioral strategies
- Assist in re-entry planning for students returning from DAEP, suspension, or crisis placements
Family and Community Engagement
- Conduct home visits as needed to support student behavior or mental health planning
- Provide parent training and consultation on behavior management and social-emotional learning at home
- Collaborate with community agencies to refer students and families for additional mental health support
Staff Training and Campus Support
- Offer professional development to staff on mental health awareness, behavior de-escalation, and trauma-informed practices
- Support teachers with classroom management coaching and data-informed behavior strategies
- Collaborate with administrators to build proactive and preventive mental health supports across campuses
Compliance, Documentation, and Collaboration
- Maintain accurate, confidential records on all student behavior interventions and mental health services
- Ensure compliance with FERPA, IDEA, Section 504, and other legal standards related to student support
- Participate in district-level planning meetings to align mental health and behavioral services with district priorities
Working Conditions and Mental Demands
- Location: Assigned campuses and district offices
- Schedule: Frequent campus visits; some evening or weekend parent meetings and trainings
- Physical Demands: Light lifting, prolonged standing and walking; may involve crisis response situations
- Mental Demands: Ability to manage high-stress situations with calm and professionalism; emotionally demanding work; frequent problem-solving and collaboration
Position Working Days: 207
