PROGRAM SPECIALIST - MENTAL HEALTH

POSITION PURPOSE: Under the direction of the Mental Health Coordinator, the Program Specialist- Mental Health supports and assists site and area staff (in-person) to identify, develop and implement strategies to meet the cognitive, social, emotional and physical needs of Head Start Program children and their families. May be assigned lead/supervisory responsibilities for a widely diverse team of technical, professional staff and student interns.   EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES: The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this position. Participates as a member of a trans-disciplinary team of professionals and paraprofessionals engaged in identifying, assessing, planning and implementing interventions and support plans for families and children;   Provides crisis intervention services;   Assists parents and families in problem solving;   Serves as an advocate for parents and families with outside agencies;   Acts as a resource and provides and/or makes referrals for necessary services;   Informs and educates parents and families about emotional, physical health, social, educational and other special needs of children;   Assists in developing community and family partnerships; Implements care coordination procedures and follow-up activities;   Conducts classroom observations to assess staff training needs in the areas of assigned responsibility and expertise;   Models appropriate intervention strategies for classroom staff, parents, Site Supervisors and other Head Start Program staff;   Interprets provisions of the Head Start Performance Standards for staff, parents and the community; Documents child and family progress and performs various other administrative duties;   Acts as community liaison and promotes community relations; Provides in-service and pre-service training; Supports program’s 5 year Goals & Objectives and continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) goals; Other duties as assigned by supervisor.   DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Knowledge of:   Current theories, methods and practices of strength-based family development work;  Early Childhood Education;  Child Health and Development for children 0-5 years of age including  social services, emotional and/or physical health, and learning and/or physical disabilities;  Federal, state and local laws and regulations applicable to the Early Head Start & Head Start Program and the assigned areas of responsibility and expertise;  Challenges and needs of low income families;  Community socioeconomics and sociocultural populations of service areas, principles and practices of supervision, including training and staff development.   Ability to: Establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external clients;  Organize, set priorities and exercise sound, independent judgment;  Interpret, apply, explain and reach sound decisions in accordance with program regulations, policies and procedures;  Instruct and train individuals in a group setting and one-on-one;  Prepare clear, concise, and accurate reports;  Exercise tact, objectivity, and sensitivity, in interactions with children, families, and staff;  Present an outstanding professional demeanor while on the job and in relationships;   Language Skills: Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public; demonstrated skills in written and oral communication.   Mathematical Skills: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.     Reasoning Ability:  Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.   Experience and Training: At least a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Social Work, Psychology or related field. A Master’s Degree is strongly preferred. A minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible experience providing direct services to low income children (ages 0-5) and families of diverse cultural backgrounds in the mental health and/or human services field is required.   LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS & SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: A Valid Class C driver’s license and current automobile insurance and reliable transportation and the ability to travel to various sites. Must be CPR/First Aid Certified or have the ability to obtain certification within the first 90 days of employment. Must meet and maintain State law and County licensing requirements regarding employment in a childcare center (Immunizations, fingerprints, TB, and physical).     PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS: The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.   Physical Demands: Employee is required to stand, bend or stoop for long periods of time; sit, stand, talk or hear in person and by telephone, use hands to finger, handle and feel computers and other standard office equipment, and reach with hands and arms. The employee infrequently lifts up to fifty (50) pounds.     Mental Demands: This job includes close vision and the ability to adjust focus; use written and oral communications skills; read and interpret information and documents; analyze and solve problems; observe and interpret people and situations.   WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.    The employee works under typical office conditions; the noise level varies between quiet to moderate noise.

Salary : $35 - $39