School Based Mental Health Intern

Job Title Paid Internship Opportunities (Student Mental Health Ambassadors & Fellows) - Grant Funded

Description The Bibb County School District is now accepting applications for the 2026-2027 school year.

JOB SUMMARY:

This internship is an opportunity to be part of a district-wide effort to strengthen Tier 1 and Tier 2 supports, increase access to mental health promotion in schools, and help students build foundational social and emotional skills that support long-term success.

School-Based Mental Health Interns will support the implementation of Tier 1 and Tier 2 mental health supports across multiple school settings. This role is primarily focused on delivering structured, evidence-informed programming, supporting school-wide mental health promotion, and assisting with early intervention services under the supervision of licensed mental health professionals and district staff.

This position requires individuals who are highly reliable, self-directed, comfortable working in dynamic school environments, and skilled in engaging youth in both classroom and small-group settings. Interns will not provide clinical therapy services but will play a critical role in expanding access to prevention, skill-building, and early intervention supports for students.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Ambassadors: Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, Education, Human Services, or a closely related field with serious plans to pursue master's level social work or counseling degree. Fellows: Master's degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or a related field with interests in school-based mental health social work or counseling. Official transcript or diploma is required as verification of educational attainment.

2. Demonstrated experience working with children and/or adolescents in educational, community-based, mentoring, behavioral, or structured program settings is preferred.

3. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage youth in both individual and group settings. Ability to follow structured curricula and implement pre-designed programming with fidelity.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Knowledge of child and adolescent development, with the ability to apply developmentally appropriate and strengths-based approaches in school settings.

2. Understanding of trauma-informed, restorative, and/or culturally responsive practices, with the ability to engage students in a supportive and nonjudgmental manner (training will be provided and reinforced).

3. Experience or demonstrated ability in classroom management, youth engagement, mentoring, tutoring, or facilitation of structured group activities.

4. Strong ability to engage students in small groups and classroom-based settings to support skill-building, prevention, and early intervention programming.

5. Effective communication skills, both oral and written, with the ability to collaborate professionally with students, school staff, and families.

6. Proficiency with basic technology systems, including data entry, email, scheduling platforms, and general productivity software, with strong attention to accuracy and detail.

7. Ability to follow structured curricula and implement standardized programming with fidelity under general supervision, while also working independently once trained.

8. Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to build rapport with students and staff, maintain appropriate professional boundaries, and respond to student needs with consistency, patience, and professionalism.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Tier 1 - Universal Mental Health Promotion & Skill Building

• Implement standardized, pre-developed Tier 1 lesson plans and curricula in classrooms
• Facilitate school-wide or grade-level mental health promotion activities
• Support SEL (social-emotional learning) programming and prevention initiatives
• Assist with planning and executing outreach campaigns and student engagement events
• Deliver brief, structured psychoeducational content (e.g., coping skills, stress management, emotional regulation)

Tier 2 - Early Intervention & Targeted Supports (Non-Therapeutic)

• Support small-group skill-building interventions for students with mild or emerging needs
• Assist with mentoring or check-in/check-out style supports under staff guidance
• Reinforce coping skills, behavioral strategies, and school engagement supports
• Track participation and basic progress indicators as directed

Classroom & School-Based Support

• Push into classrooms to facilitate lessons and student engagement activities
• Collaborate with teachers, counselors, and school staff to support student participation
• Help manage classroom dynamics and student behavior during structured activities
• Build positive, supportive relationships with students while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries

Implementation & Operational Support

• Follow established schedules, scripts, and curricula with fidelity
• Complete regular documentation, activity tracking, and basic data entry
• Participate in supervision, training, and ongoing coaching sessions
• Support school and community outreach and engagement efforts for students and families
• Support various SBMH special projects (Curated Spaces, Mental Health Awareness Week, Universal Behavior Screening, etc.) throughout the school year

SALARY/TERMS/BENEFITS:

1. 180-day work year; 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM (weekends and evenings at least twice monthly)

2. Salary Range: Classified Grade 131A

3. Excellent benefits package: includes health insurance; dental and life insurance; employee assistance program; personal and sick leave; membership in Teachers'' Retirement System.

This is a grant-funded internship with funding currently available through May 2027. While interns will gain valuable professional experience, employment beyond the grant period should not be expected.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Ability to carry equipment and supplies weighing approximately 25 pounds; Ability to move around classrooms and other areas by stooping, bending, standing for extended periods and moving objects and materials. Crisis intervention may require participating in physical restraints.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

1. Complete an online application.

2. Submit a resume, professional certificates, transcripts, and three (3) professional references respective to this position.

3. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an interview. Applications will be evaluated using a standardized screening rubric, and the most qualified candidates will be selected for interviews based on their overall application scores and the number of available internship positions. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

BIBB COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The Bibb County School District will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to allow them to perform the essential functions of the job when such individuals request an accommodation so long as the accommodation does not create an undue financial hardship for the district. A complete list of physical demands associated with the position can be obtained from HR.