Ricks Center for Gifted Children at the University of Denver is an exemplary program designed for gifted children. We provide nationally recognized gifted education to students ranging from three years of age through eighth grade, who demonstrate exceptional, differentiated abilities and learning needs.

The Ricks

Center for Gifted Children is a private elementary school for gifted learners within the University of Denver. Next year, there are approximately 65 students between preschool to 8th grade

Position Summary The Mental Health Support Specialist (MHSS) partners with families, teachers, school administrators, and other professionals to create a safe, healthy, and supportive learning environment that strengthens connections between home, school, and outside service providers. The MHSS contributes to, monitors, and facilitates the work of the student support team (reading specialist, health aide, and partners including an occupational therapist and any interns). The psychologist provides direct assessments, support and interventions to students and works with school staff to improve school-wide practices and policies.

Essential Functions

- Contributes, monitors, and facilitates the work of the student support team.
- Works as a team member in making placement decisions, developing intervention plans, and planning programs to meet the needs of students.
- Partners with families, teachers, school administrators, teachers, and other professionals.
- Communicate case findings and recommendations to teachers and other school personnel as needed.
- Serve as a resource to teachers and staff regarding mental health support services and the academic/psychological needs of students.
- Conference with and provide information, support and counseling to parents/guardians of students.
- Organize and conduct specialized programs to include parent training classes and student support activities.
- Serves as a liaison between the student, home, school, private counseling facilities and community resources such as social services, court services, and family service agencies.
- Provides direct support and interventions to students.
- Select and administer age-appropriate assessment methods and materials to determine the needs of the student.
- Assess and interpret outside assessment data to develop support and accommodation plans for students.
- Participate in student support meetings and contribute to the development of Section 504 Plans.
- Conduct specialized individual and group counseling sessions to address specific emotional, social, and behavioral needs of students.




- Act as a member of the school crisis team to provide intervention to students as necessary.
- Improves school-wide practices and policies.
- Provide in-service training and workshops for teachers and staff regarding mental health issues and proper procedures for the identification and referral of students.
- Create secure, positive school climate and support social-emotional learning.
- Plan services at the school, classroom, and individual levels.
- Model nondiscriminatory practices in all activities.
- Performs any other related duties as assigned by administration.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

- Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

Required Qualifications

- At least six months of experience working with gifted and/or neurodivergent learners students.
- Experience teaching and running social and emotional support groups with gifted and/or neurodivergent learners.

Preferred Qualifications

- Background in Mental Health Support
- Master’s degree in social work.
- Educational Specialist degree in psychology / school psychology / counseling psychology.
- Colorado License (NCSP) as a school psychologist.

Working Environment

- Standard office environment.
- Unexpected interruptions occur often and stress level is moderate to high.
- Noise level is quiet to moderate.

Physical Activities

- Ability to work in front of a computer for extended periods of time.
- Occasionally required to move about the office/campus.

Work Schedule Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Application Deadline For consideration, please submit your application materials by 9:00 a.m. (MST) August 13, 2026.

Special Instructions

Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Salary Grade Number:

The salary grade for the position is 9.

Salary Rate:

The salary rate for this position is $57,000.

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range.



The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate’s sex or any other protected status.

Benefits:

The University of Denver offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.

Please include the following documents with your application:

- Resume
- Cover Letter The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital, family, or parental status, pregnancy or related conditions, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital family, and parental status, pregnancy, genetic information, military enlistment, or veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the University’s educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Worker's Rights ("POWR") Act; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For more information, please see the University of Denver's Non‑Discrimination‑Statement.

All offers of employment are based upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history and National Sex Offender Registry background check.

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