Mental Health/Disabilities Specialist - Early Head Start
MENTAL HEALTH & DISABILITIES SPECIALIST - EARLY HEAD START
During the COVID-19 pandemic, this position will perform most of its work remotely
We are looking for professionals with experience in working in mental health and/or special education with very young children, aged newborn to three years old. Successful candidates will have a passion for serving their communities and a desire to work with families and children from diverse social-economic and cultural backgrounds.
The Early Head Start Mental Health & Disabilities Specialist consults with Home Visitors and parents in their work with children, supports Home Visitors in establishing and strengthening healthy parent-child relationships and the parents’ knowledge of child growth and development, and participates in the IFSP referral process for child mental health services. This position is full time and reports to the Executive Director.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- identify economic, cultural, physical, and environmental factors which support or limit a child’s functioning
- deliver trainings regarding Mental Health and Disability issues that staff are dealing with in working with families
- assess data, identifying trends and patterns, analyzing, drawing conclusions and making recommendations
- evaluate developmental and behavioral screenings and make referrals where needed
- participate in conferences with parents and Home Visitors when disabilities and/or mental health issues are present
- represent the child and their parents with community agencies in regard to mental health and disabilities
- work with the Family Services staff to implement the triage service model when needed
- complete documentation, data entry, and reports in an accurate and timely manner
- monitor in-kind documentation for children who are receiving special needs services with outside agencies
- deliver trainings, track data, and monitor completion of Ages & Stages Questionnaire (behavioral & developmental) on all Early Head Start children
- track and review Individual Family Service Plans (IFSP) for children and ensure that staff are developing activities and goals around these plans
- develop community resources around Mental Health Agencies in community
- meet with staff when approved to discuss Mental Health or Disability issues
- other duties as assigned
- Be able to perform all the essential functions of the position
- Ability to work independently, but also be a team player
- Ability to problem-solve and handle sensitive information and difficult situations tactfully and confidentially
- Must be knowledgeable of and work in accordance with Head Start performance standards, community and intra-agency agreements, College policies and regulations, and negotiated agreements
- Must be able to use a computer for written communication, data entry, spreadsheet applications, and report creation
- Must be able to respond to and initiate communication with college employees, staff of other institutions, outside agencies, enrolled parents, and the general public.
JOB READINESS FACTORS (working conditions such as environmental factors, mental and physical demands, willingness issues of the position):
- Must be able to prioritize unplanned but required duties with ongoing confirmed deadlines. Must be flexible and able to negotiate priorities according to campus needs while considering rules and process requirements
- Must be able to work under stressful situations and manage stress appropriately
- Must be able to accomplish repetitive tasks while maintaining a high level of accuracy
- Must be able to work independently and exercise appropriate judgment
- Must be able to exhibit cultural humility when working with staff and families from diverse racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds
- Must be able to transport self to home visits and off-site trainings and meetings
Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Licensed and/or certified in mental or behavior health services
- Two years of work experience in mental health or special education
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience providing mental health and disabilities services to low-income families with children birth to three years old
- Experience working with Early Head Start or Head Start
- Experience with a home visiting setting
Additional Information
PHYSICAL WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Ability to report to work at scheduled times; position may require some evening scheduling. Work is performed in an office setting and also in clients' homes (Note: during the COVID-19 pandemic, this position will perform most of its work remotely). The ability to sit at a desk/computer station and perform detailed tasks involving repetitive arm and hand movements, such as data entry, is essential. Operation of standard office equipment such as a PC/terminal, electronic calculator, copy machine, and multi-line phone system is required. The ability to move over uneven surfaces and exhibit sensitivity while in clients' homes is essential. Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, are essential.
WORK SCHEDULE:
40 hours per week, Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, with occasional evenings.
COMPENSATION
Salary is $57505.92-63466.22 annually and is based on the Edmonds CC administrative/exempt salary schedule, plus a full state benefits package, which includes tuition waivers for college classes, medical, dental, retirement options and more. Vacation and leave package includes 12 sick days per year, 10 scheduled holidays, 1 personal holiday, and 24 vacation leave days per year.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES AND REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
All applicants must apply online. No paper submissions or emailed materials will be accepted. Your online application must include the following documents in order to be complete:
- Responses to supplemental questions (part of the online application). (These questions reflect the required and desired qualifications and are used in the screening process. Please provide thorough responses.)
- Current resume.
- Names and contact information for three references.
- For veterans' preference, please scan and attach your DD214, Member-4 Form.
- Complete, sign, and submit Declaration Regarding Sexual Misconduct (Download PDF reader) (Download PDF reader)
To apply, go to www.edcc.edu/hr and click on Job Opportunities.
Complete, sign, and submit Declaration Regarding Sexual Misconduct (Download PDF reader) (Download PDF reader)
EEO/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION STATEMENT:
Edmonds Community College is an equal opportunity employer and assures equality of treatment in educational and employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex (gender), disability, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, veteran status, or genetic information. Applicants with disabilities who require assistance with the recruitment process may call 425-640-1470 and accommodations will be made to the extent reasonably possible. The Human Resources Office is accessible to persons with disabilities.