Project Director III, School Mental Health at Los Angeles County Office Of Education
About the Employer
Welcome to the Los Angeles County Office of Education! Thank you for your interest in joining the LACOE family. We are proud of the fact that we have talented staff, excellent growth opportunities, outstanding support and an invigorating mission. The primary function of LACOE is to service and support 80 K-12 school districts along with numerous other agencies, as we ensure educational excellence for the region’s two-million preschool and school-aged children. LACOE serves others by building capacity in our employees, being responsive to the needs of our customers and modeling integrity and respect in our actions and communications. We enhance our role through partnering with our communities, County and other educational institutions to provide outreach, support and specialized services. It is our mission to improve the lives of students and our educational community through our service, leadership and advocacy. We are seeking talented individuals who support our vision and strategic plan that encompasses “A Culture of Excellence in ALL We Do.”
Job Summary
Job Summary
THE POSITION: Under the direction of Director III, Community Schools Initiative, the Project Director III, School Mental Health (SMH) provides leadership to the School Mental Health Unit within the Community Schools Division. The Project Director III, provides administrative oversight of Coordinators, Mental Health Practitioners, School Social Workers, and support staff ensuring alignment of all mental health strategies and systems with the California Community Schools Framework. The role includes planning, organizing, and directing comprehensive school mental health programs, providing guidance and support to school district in the development and implementation of the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) and leading cross-agency collaboration. The position requires expertise in school-based mental health systems, suicide prevention/intervention/postvention, T-SEL, crisis response, trauma-informed practices, and state/federal regulations related to mental health services in educational settings. The position will also be responsible for leading strategic planning of sustainability of school mental health services in LACOE Community School partner districts.
Requirements / Qualifications
EXPERIENCE: Five or more years of comprehensive, directly related and progressive experience (required), including: • A minimum of two years of administrative experience overseeing staff and program(s) • A minimum of three years of experience providing or leading multi-tiered school or LEA mental health systems of support EDUCATION: A Master’s Degree in Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, or related field from an accredited institution of higher learning. LICENSE AND CERTIFICATE (must possess all of the following): • California Administrative Services Credential • Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Social Work or School Counseling • License issued by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences in Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Clinical Counseling or other related field.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: Interested, qualified persons are invited to submit an online employment application. All required documents must be individually attached and submitted electronically with your completed EdJoin application. Applicants are responsible for attaching the following documents: • Resume • A Letter of Interest • Credentials with document number. • A list of three (3) references at the management/supervisory level, with contact information (full name, job title, phone number, and email address), which can attest to your experience and expertise relevant to this position. One reference must be your most recent immediate supervisor. • Responses to the Additional Application Questions (see below) ADDITIONAL APPLICATION QUESTIONS (150-word limit per question): 1. Describe your experience developing, and supervising muti-tiered school mental health supports in a K-12 setting? 2. Describe your experience providing program or grant development and/or oversight? 3. Describe your experience in leading mental health programs with a reimbursement-based funding structures?
Requirements / Qualifications
EXPERIENCE: Five or more years of comprehensive, directly related and progressive experience (required), including: • A minimum of two years of administrative experience overseeing staff and program(s) • A minimum of three years of experience providing or leading multi-tiered school or LEA mental health systems of support EDUCATION: A Master’s Degree in Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, or related field from an accredited institution of higher learning. LICENSE AND CERTIFICATE (must possess all of the following): • California Administrative Services Credential • Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Social Work or School Counseling • License issued by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences in Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Clinical Counseling or other related field.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: Interested, qualified persons are invited to submit an online employment application. All required documents must be individually attached and submitted electronically with your completed EdJoin application. Applicants are responsible for attaching the following documents: • Resume • A Letter of Interest • Credentials with document number. • A list of three (3) references at the management/supervisory level, with contact information (full name, job title, phone number, and email address), which can attest to your experience and expertise relevant to this position. One reference must be your most recent immediate supervisor. • Responses to the Additional Application Questions (see below) ADDITIONAL APPLICATION QUESTIONS (150-word limit per question): 1. Describe your experience developing, and supervising muti-tiered school mental health supports in a K-12 setting? 2. Describe your experience providing program or grant development and/or oversight? 3. Describe your experience in leading mental health programs with a reimbursement-based funding structures?
Comments and Other Information
Contact La Chanee Thompson at Thompson_LaChanee@lacoe.edu and HRSRecruitment@lacoe.edu with any questions about the process.
LACOE does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of age, actual or perceived race, actual or perceived gender, ethnicity, national origin, religion, disability, or sexual orientation. LACOE complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act to ensure equal access to all qualified individuals with a disability. If you are disabled and require assistance in accessing this event, please contact the LACOE Title II Coordinator at (562) 922-6153.
Comments and Other Information
Contact La Chanee Thompson at Thompson_LaChanee@lacoe.edu and HRSRecruitment@lacoe.edu with any questions about the process.
LACOE does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of age, actual or perceived race, actual or perceived gender, ethnicity, national origin, religion, disability, or sexual orientation. LACOE complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act to ensure equal access to all qualified individuals with a disability. If you are disabled and require assistance in accessing this event, please contact the LACOE Title II Coordinator at (562) 922-6153.
Application Deadline
3/4/2026 11:55 PM Pacific
Date Posted
2/18/2026
Contact
Number of Openings
1
Salary
Single Rate
Range 34 (a) $12,231 (b) $12,270 (c) $13,228 (d) $13,758 (e) $14,308 Monthly
Range 34 (a) $12,231 (b) $12,270 (c) $13,228 (d) $13,758 (e) $14,308 Monthly
Length of Work Year
12 months
Employment Type
Full Time