POSITION: School Child-Life Specialist (SCLS) or Child Behavior Specialist (CBS)
LOCATION: Alpine Elementary School
START DATE/CALENDAR: August 12, 2026 /210-Day Contract (August - July annually)
SCHEDULE: 1st Monday in August – approx. June 15 following school year calendar
SALARY: $42,000 - $45,000 annually
BENEFITS: A comprehensive benefits package will be provided
SUMMARY:
This position is an integral component of our mental health team supporting students, families,
and staff throughout the district. We are looking for a student-centered, passionate, highly
skilled individual to support the provision of trauma-informed behavioral interventions for
students and their families who are in need of additional support at school due in part to
trauma or other adverse factors in their lives.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s or advanced degree in the field of psychology, sociology, child development,
or a related field required
- Certified by the Child Life Council or Master’s Degree in counseling preferred
- Experience developing and facilitating professional development workshops
- Knowledge and experience tailoring behavioral interventions to meet the needs of
children on all levels, including those with behavioral and psychiatric needs
- Knowledge and awareness of trauma, resilience, adverse childhood experiences, school
climate, and social-emotional learning concepts
- Suicide assessment experience preferred
- Genuine enthusiasm, excellent interpersonal and organizational skills
- The ability to work on and be a contributor to a highly professional team
- Evidence of high standards of ethics, honesty, and integrity in personal and professional
matters
- Possess high levels of flexibility
- Maintain regular consistent attendance and punctuality
- Adhere to Board Policies
- Maintain confidentiality
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Primary responsibilities associated with this position will include assessing factors that impact
students and teaching coping strategies to increase academic success. The SCLS/CBS will
coordinate services with families, the school, and outside agencies to best meet the needs of
students. She/he will implement interventions that emphasize emotional wellness for students,
families, and staff to improve the overall school climate. Additionally, our SCLS/CBS will be
responsible for implementing trauma-informed systems to promote student and staff resilience
and increase positive academic and non-academic outcomes for students. She/he will identify
highest need students and help implement strategies to increase academic achievement
through a coordinated system of supports. Our SCLS/CBS will provide district-wide and
community workshops to increase capacity in working with staff and parents of children
encountering trauma. Other duties may be assigned
GOALS:
- Make a significant impact on the ability of our students to psychologically recover/heal
from a traumatic situation
- Help caregivers, staff, and community members identify signs of anxiety, depression and
toxic stress
- Develop and facilitate professional development workshops on the impact of trauma
and toxic stress, along with equipping staff with tools on how to build resilience in
children and families to increase positive outcomes
- Promote healthy interactions and a safe environment through teaching coping strategies
and behavioral modifications
- Help design and coordinate therapeutic interventions in a group setting and 1:1
- Work with the Kenowa Hills Mental Health Team to continue to enhance the continuum
of supports for our at-risk students
- Contribute to the development and coordination of school-wide tier Positive Behavior
Support Plans (PBSP) and Interventions for students
- Monitor PBSP for students and review data regarding their outcomes
- Conduct individual and group social/emotional development lessons
- Provide de-escalation techniques for students at risk of not being able to engage in the
learning process or who are consistently disrupting the learning of others
PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an
employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable
accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential
functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, sit, use
hands to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, or crouch; talk or hear. The employee will occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Note to New Employees: Pursuant to PA 131, the selected candidate must receive clearance from the Michigan State Police
Department prior to the offer of employment. The candidate is responsible for the background check fee.
It is the policy of the Board that no staff member or candidate for a position in this District on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, creed or ancestry, age, gender, marital status, height, weight, political belief or disability which does not impair an individual's ability to perform adequately in the individual's particular position or activity, shall be discriminated against, excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to, discrimination in any program or activity for which the Board is responsible or for which it receives financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Education.
