COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title
CIS Crisis Intervention Specialist
Department
Program/Operations Department
Location
Communities In Schools of Southeast Harris County and Brazoria County
Reports To
Assigned Program Director
This position will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the mental health crisis program at the school sites. The Crisis Intervention Specialist works closely with the principals, counselors, students, parents, community members, and other concerned individuals to ensure that identified Communities In Schools of Southeast Harris and Brazoria County programs are provided.
All CIS services are guided by a trauma-informed approach that prioritizes safety, transparency, peer support, collaboration, empowerment, and equity.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
- Coordinates services for identified students and families during the school day and possibly before and after school.
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Interviews students and/or parents and/or guardians with problems such as personal and family adjustments, abuse, criminal conduct, finances, employment, food, clothing, housing, and physical and mental impairments to determine the nature and degree of the problem.
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Secures information on medical, psychological, and social factors contributing to the student's situation, and evaluates these factors and the student's capacities.
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Counsels students individually, in families, or in other small groups regarding plans to meet needs, and aids students in mobilizing inner capacities and environmental resources to improve social functioning.
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Helps students modify attitudes and patterns of behavior by increasing their understanding of themselves and their personal issues.
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Maintains working knowledge of community resources and agencies and connects the appropriate resources to individual students’ and families’ needs.
- Refers and follows up with student and/or parent and/or guardian to community resources and other organizations.
- Compiles records and prepares reports, meeting required deadlines.
- Reviews the service action plan and conducts follow-up inquiries to determine the quantity and quality of crisis services provided to the student and the status of the student's case.
- Accesses and records student and community resource information.
- Secures supplementary information, such as free and reduced-price lunch status, discipline reports, grades, and other school data, necessary to obtain an accurate assessment of the student’s needs.
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Actively involves volunteers in their areas of interest and expertise.
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Work closely with principal(s) and counselor(s) to effectively structure programs that meet the needs of the individual campus setting. When required, determines the student's eligibility for financial assistance.
- Effectively meeting the objective of the CIS-Crisis Intervention program through individual mentoring and/or counseling and/or organized group sessions.
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Plan, organize, and implement program design to effectively meet the needs of the students and families.
- Relate, motivate, encourage students, parents/guardian and/or administrators, faculty, and staff.
- Have knowledge of resources in either Southeast Harris and/or Brazoria County area.
- Must be able to interact consistently in a positive manner with a diverse group of individuals of the school, city, and state entities.
- Exhibit excellent work attitude, strong work ethic, and self-motivation.
- Be responsible for program planning and implementation of objectives.
- Facilitate, develop, and/or conduct workshops as deemed necessary by the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and/or Program Director.
- Encourage and motivate parents to be actively involved in their children's school activities.
- Work with students and parents to implement recreational and extracurricular activities to enhance self-esteem and reinforce developmental skills.
- Work with parents, students, and staff on CIS fundraising activities and provide a financial report after each activity.
SUPERVISION
The crisis specialist is supervised by the Communities In Schools of Southeast Harris and Brazoria County, Crisis Intervention Program Director. (See organizational chart)
EDUCATION
Bachelor's Degree required in Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, or a related field.
LICENSE
A license in either psychology or social work, or a related field
EXPERIENCE
A minimum of three years’ experience in a work setting. Must be able to work with students and parents of low and medium incomes and interface with various members of school and community.
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfy each essential duty. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common and/or technical documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from the campus site or community or Austin. Ability to effectively present information to faculty, staff, administrators, community, and/or board of directors.
REASONING ABILITY
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret a wide variety of technical instructions in any form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
TECHNICAL SKILLS
While performing the duties of Crisis specialist, a minimum of two years’ computer experience in Microsoft Word, and Excel, or other comparable programs will be required to perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to effectively utilize a software program (CISTMS) used for data entry, after reasonable training has been conducted. The Crisis specialist is required to enter data into the software program, maintaining detailed records of student activities for statewide reporting purposes.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
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. Each campus site and office accommodations will vary from campus to campus.
TRAVEL
To perform this job successfully, an individual must possess a valid Texas Driver's license and be insurable with a good driving record. An individual will be required to operate their personal motor vehicle to make home visits; attend meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions. The individual may be required to travel to Austin, or a location designated in Brazoria or Southeast Harris County areas and/or in Texas, for training purposes. Attending scheduled staff meetings in which pertinent information is disseminated.
OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Oral and written communication skills.
- Be well-groomed.
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Present professional appearance.
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Exhibit excellent work attitude and interpersonal skills.
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Work in a team environment by partnering with other crisis specialists.
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Have the ability to function in a diverse job situation.
Equipment Used to Perform Job:
Daily:
Cell phone
Telephone
Copy Machine
Computer
Physical Requirements:
To perform the job, a person must have the ability to do the following physical actions:
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Frequently sit (approximately 25% to 80% of the time)
- Frequently stand (approximately 10% to 60% of the time)
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Frequently walk (Approximately 10% t0 40% of the time), generally from 5-30 feet within the office.
- Frequently lift and carry an average of 5 to 20 pounds and occasionally as much as 40 to 70 pounds or more. Items to be lifted or carried may include, but are not limited to, boxes or files, copy paper, supplies, materials, and donations. Most items will be carried by hand. Most items must be lifted to knee or waist level, some items lifted to chest level, and only a few items overhead.
- Frequently push and pull objects to open and close file drawers; occasionally move items around the office, such as a box of copy paper or computer paper, or a small piece of furniture, the office chair, the vacuum cleaner, etc.
- Occasionally, bend and kneel to file, retrieve items, etc.
- Occasionally flex upper trunk forward at the waist and partially flex knees, sometimes twisting or rotating the upper trunk to the right or left while sitting or standing.
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Occasionally, place arms above, at, and below shoulder height to reach.
- Occasionally climb stairs or inclined surfaces.
- Ability to get to and from work; ability to move from one work location to another work location during the day if necessary. Possession of a valid Driver's License for transportation purposes or to run necessary errands. Must furnish current proof of insurance.
- Must be able to work a flexible schedule. This position may require some work in the evenings and weekends.
Environmental Conditions
- Occasionally, it is required to go outside during hot or cold temperatures or during wet conditions in order to work with clients or prepare for special events.
- Occasionally requires going outside during evening and night hours.
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Works alone at times but usually works with others.
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May have somewhat cramped work quarters, depending on the availability of office space.
Appearance
- Neat
- Professional
- Must reflect as a proper representation of CIS.
Adherence to the Philosophy, Policies, and Procedures of Communities In Schools – Texas Joint Venture.
- Employees must demonstrate knowledge of, and perform in accordance with, the philosophy of compassion, care, and respect for the welfare and dignity of others.
- Must display a non-judgmental acceptance of all students/parents/volunteers/staff/co-workers.
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Establish and maintain good rapport in working relationships.
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Display appropriate and consistently positive attitude.
Remain composed during stressful situations.
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EEO Statement
CIS-SHC and BC employees are protected by federal laws, Presidential Executive Orders, and other laws designed to protect employees from discrimination on the bases of race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), sexual orientation, parental status, national origin, age, disability, family medical history or genetic information, political affiliation, military service, or any other non-merit-based factor. These protections extend to all management practices and decisions, including recruitment and hiring practices, appraisal systems, promotions, and training and career development programs.
CIS-SHC AND BC employees are also protected against retaliation. Consistent with federal laws, acts of retaliation against an employee who engages in a protected activity, whistle-blowing, or the exercise of any appeal or grievance right provided by law will not be tolerated. CIS-SHC AND BC managers and supervisors are also reminded of their responsibility to prevent, document, and promptly correct harassing conduct in the workplace.
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Signatures
Employee signature below constitutes employee's understanding of the requirements, essential functions, and duties of the position. I hereby acknowledge receipt of a copy of this job description. I meet the requirements for this position and believe I can perform the duties as stated.
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ACKNOWLEDGED: Employee Signature Date
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