Columbia Gorge Educational Service District

Job Description – Early Childhood Mental Health Inclusion Consultant

Title: Early Childhood Mental Health Inclusion Consultant

Department: Four Rivers Early Learning and Parenting Hub Department

Classification: Classified

Supervised by: Director of Four Rivers Early Learning and Parenting Hub

Work Year: Assigned by Superintendent

Job Purpose Statement:

Mental health consultation is not therapy; however, it does involve implementing skills of a professional mental health provider. It is this unique mental health perspective that distinguishes mental health consultation from other forms of consultation or coaching that provides support to young children and the adults who care for them.

The primary purpose of this position is to coordinate, implement, support, and evaluate the  infant and early childhood mental health consultation program in conjunction with the Department of Early Learning and Care. This position works under the direction of the Early Learning Hub Director. This position will support the well-being of early educators, interrupt the impact of bias, and prevent the use of suspension and expulsion. This position conducts coaching and technical assistance with childcare providers to support quality, inclusive care and environments. Activities will include consulting with parents and providers as well as providing professional development opportunities for early learning professionals.  

Job Qualifications: Education and Experience:

•  Education required is a Master’s preferred, minimum of Bachelors degree in mental health, behavioral health or  social work related field.  Experience in early childhood education or related field (human development, child and family studies,  early intervention/early childhood special education, education) is preferred
• Minimum of three years of direct service in the field of Childhood Care and Education
• Knowledge of community child care programs, subsidies, community resources, and state regulations pertaining to child care preferred
• Bilingual English/Spanish required

Licenses, Certifications, Bonding, and/or Testing Required: 

• Criminal Justice Fingerprint Clearance
• Valid Driver’s License and evidence of insurability
• Successfully pass district background screening

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

• Works well with others from diverse backgrounds. Focuses on solving conflict; and contributing to building a collaborative environment and positive team spirit with a strong customer service orientation.
• Understands the importance of relationship building and has strong collaboration skills
• Collaborative problem solving skills
• Has a clear understanding of child development 
• Strong engagement and trust building skill set
• Strong knowledge of theories and practices of Early Childhood Education, Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education, Human Services, and/or Human Development
• Exudes a warm and friendly demeanor
• Knowledge of computer-based spreadsheets and reporting 
• Knowledge of general office practices and procedures 
• Understand the workflow and process requirements of business units related to the application
• Skill in written and oral communications 
• Skill in operating various office equipment 
• Must have managerial skills and be able to function independently
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality
• Must be able to prioritize work to meet scheduled deadlines while handling multiple tasks
• Must have excellent project management skills, strong organization and communication skills 
• Ability to work with scheduled deadlines
• Excellent problem solving/analytical skills, knowledge of analytical tools, and complex troubleshooting methods
• Able to be prompt, dependable and flexible; follow through on commitments to teammates.
• Experience in design and delivery to training adult learners
• Experience supporting others in making accommodations for children in a variety of settings
• Experience in childcare setting as a lead teacher, director or program coach

Essential Job Functions:

• Coordinate with IECMHC and Four Rivers Early Learning Hub team
• Coordinate and deliver training, consultation, and technical assistance to child care providers to support quality inclusive child care
• Conduct community presentations
• Represent Four Rivers Early Learning Hub at advisory board, regional child care, early child care and other meetings
• Coordinate child care provider trainings based on common needs of multiple programs
• Provide distance (email, phone, etc.) individual support including: material review and feedback, connection to resources, on-going guidance and check-in with child care providers
• Provide on-site coaching visits to programs needing intensive support through observation and feedback
• Support providers in their environmental and individual inclusive accommodations strategies
• Additional duties as needed and assigned

Workplace Expectations: 

• Work effectively with and respond to people from diverse cultures or backgrounds. 
• Demonstrate professionalism and appropriate judgment in behavior, punctual attendance, speech and dress in an appropriate professional manner for the assignment and work setting. 
• Confer regularly with other ESD staff, ESD Districts, and immediate supervisor. 
• Follow all District policies, work procedures and reasonable requests by proper authority. 
• Displays courteous, polite disposition, exercising tact and diplomacy. Maintains confidentiality in all aspects of the agency.

• Attending training related to professional growth to stay current on best practices. 
• Demonstrate strong verbal and written skills, including in challenging and diverse situations.  
• Must be a self-directed individual who is a strategic thinker and has strong decision-making skills, including in situations of ambiguity. 
• Utilize multiple sources of data to inform short-and long-term decisions; analytical and organizational skills required.
• Ability to multi-task and manage flow of simultaneous projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent problem-solving and organizational skills, with the ability to analyze, forecast, and plan.
• Ability to build trust and rapport with a diverse body of stakeholders, internally and externally.
• Understanding of and ability to work within a political environment with competing demands and limited resources.

Physical Requirements:

1. In an eight-hour day employee may:
2. Stand/Walk {  }None {  }1-4 hrs {x}4-6 hrs {  }6-8 hrs
3. Sit {  }None {  }1-3 hrs {  }3-5 hrs {x}5-8 hrs
4. Drive {  }None {x}1-3 hrs {  }3-5 hrs {  }5-8 hrs

2. Employee may use hands for repetitive:

{x} Single Grasping {x} Pushing and Pulling {  } Fine Manipulation

3. Employee may use feet for repetitive movement as in operating foot controls:

{  }Yes {x}No

4. Employee may need to:

1. Bend {  }Frequently {x}Occasionally {  }Not at all
2. Squat {  }Frequently {x}Occasionally {  }Not at all
3. Climb Stairs {  }Frequently {x}Occasionally {  }Not at all
4. Lift {  }Frequently {x}Occasionally {  }Not at all

5. Lifting:

{  } Sedentary Work:  Lifting 10 pounds occasionally with frequent sitting and occasional standing/walking.

{x} Light Work:  Lifting 25 pounds occasionally with frequent sitting and occasional standing/walking.

{  } Medium Work:  Lifting 50 occasionally, 25 pounds frequently with occasional sitting and frequent standing/walking.

{  } Medium Heavy Work:  Lifting 75 pounds occasionally, 35 pounds frequently with occasional sitting and frequent standing/walking.

{  } Heavy Work:  Lifting 100 pounds occasionally, 50 pounds frequently with occasional sitting and frequent standing/walking.

Mandatory Child Abuse Reporting

As mandatory reporter (ORS.419b.010) you are required to immediately report to Law Enforcement and or Department of Human Services, any instances of suspected child abuse.

Agreement

I have reviewed the requirements and expectations for the above position and understand its content.  I am aware that my position description may be revised or updated at any time and once notified of changes, I remain responsible for the knowledge of its contents.

The statements contained herein reflect general details necessary to describe the principle functions required of this position, the level of knowledge and the skill typically required and the scope of responsibility.

I, ____________________________________ have read and received a copy of this job description.  I understand the expectations required for this position and that a copy of this job description will become part of my personnel file.  

______________________________________ _______________________________________

Employee Signature Date