Effective School Solutions
Location
Santa Maria, California
Salary
$40,000 - $47,000/yr
Provide individual and group behavioral health and wellness support to K-12 students in a school setting. Facilitate prevention programming and coordinate care by connecting families to community resources.
Requires a Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, or counseling and at least 2 years of experience with children or adolescents. Candidates must have 2,000 hours of related field experience and obtain a California Certified Wellness Coach certification.
(Mental Health) Wellness Coach – Effective School Solutions (ESS) 📍 Located in Santa Maria, CA 💰 Annual Compensation: $40,000 - $47,000 🕒 School Hours | Light Summers | Meaningful Work with Kids About Effective School Solutions: Effective School Solutions (ESS) is a leading provider of school-based mental health services for K–12 students. Serving over 6,000 students across 12 states, ESS brings the level of clinical care typically found in private practice settings directly into public schools. In response to the growing mental health needs of young people, ESS has expanded its offerings to include a full continuum of clinical programming, professional development, and consultative services for districts.
The Mental Health Wellness Coach provides behavioral health and wellness support to K-12 students within a school-based setting. This role promotes emotional wellbeing, delivers behavioral health education, and coordinates care for students in need. Coaches help foster inclusive, equitable environments by recognizing and addressing barriers to student wellness. Key Responsibilities Provide individual and group support to students with behavioral health concerns. Facilitate prevention and wellness programming, including emotional regulation, stress management, and life skills development. Conduct regular check-ins using structured curriculum materials to promote ongoing wellness. Coordinate care by connecting students and families to appropriate community or behavioral health resources. Document behavioral health activities and maintain accurate records. Collaborate with educators and behavioral health professionals, including those supporting students with IEPs. Deliver education on behavioral health topics, goal setting, and healthy lifestyle habits. Follow school and ESS protocols for crisis response and student safety.
Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, counseling, or a related field. 2+ years of experience working with children or adolescents in school, health, or community settings. Strong understanding of adolescent development and behavioral health. Excellent communication, problem-solving, and collaboration skills. Highly organized with strong time management abilities. Certification & Additional Requirements California Certified Wellness Coach certification (ESS covers certification costs). Valid state ID and official transcript verifying degree completion. Minimum 2,000 hours of related field or work experience. Experience in mental health, social work, child welfare, or related fields preferred. Why join Effective School Solutions? Make a real difference addressing the youth mental health crisis in schools. Join a mission-driven organization with strong growth and innovation. Enjoy school-year schedules and light summers. Competitive compensation, benefits, and professional development opportunities. A culture that values clinician voice and work-life balance. Effective School Solutions is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, disability, or any other protected category. #HP
Market context
In California, mental health wellness coach roles are often tied to school-based student support and can draw steady interest from candidates with child and adolescent experience. These positions are competitive because employers typically look for a relevant bachelor’s degree, 2,000 hours of related field experience, and California Certified Wellness Coach certification, while the listed benefits emphasize professional development and a school-year schedule. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to quickly confirm fit before applying, and be ready to document your experience with children or adolescents.