Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant

• Center for Early Relationship Support Programs - Infant-Parent Training Institute
• Waltham, MA, USA
• $28.00-$35.00
• Hourly
• Full Time

The Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation team (I/ECMHC) at the Center for Early Relationship Support (CERS) of Jewish Family and Children's Service (JF&CS) provides consultation services in center-based early education and care programs to support children's developmental and behavioral wellbeing and address the impact of trauma in statistically at-risk populations.

HIGHLIGHTS

• In-person and virtual work environment- Waltham and Greater Boston area
• Full time position, 36 hours
• Comprehensive benefits package

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are seeking an Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health (I/ECMH) Consultant to provide consultation services to the staff in center-based early education and care programs, primarily located in Boston. CERS's I/ECMH Consultants support the healthy social and emotional development of children in early care settings by building the capacity of caregivers to promote healthy child development and manage challenging behaviors. The Mental Health Consultant collaborates with teachers and staff to promote growth-fostering relationships by providing a mental health perspective, including thinking about the impact of trauma and difficult life circumstances on children and their caregivers. The mental health consultant simultaneously works to understand and examine the experience of staff while processing the ways in which past and present realities, cultural background, and families of origin influence emotions and resilience in the classroom.

The I/ECMH Consultant will be a part of the I/ECMH Consultation Team, which meets monthly for group supervision. Individual supervision and training will be provided by the I/ECMH Consultation Coordinator. The consultant will deliver direct, in-person consultation to early childhood educators and other center staff in center settings as determined by affiliated partner organizations.

Your workday will include:

• Support the healthy social and emotional development of children in early care settings.
• Build the capacity of caregivers to promote healthy child development and manage challenging behaviors.
• Collaborate with early childhood teachers and center staff to promote resilience and healthy relationships among themselves and with children and families by providing a trauma-informed mental health perspective.
• Create safe and trusting relationships with the teachers and staff at early education and care programs using observation, reflection, analysis, and planning.
• Participating in meetings with CERS and members of the I/ECMHC team
• Support the evaluation of consultation work.
• Develop and present relevant training.

The role comes with the following benefits:

• Best-in field paid time off, including 22 days of vacation time, national and Jewish holidays.
• Mileage reimbursement
• Immediate eligibility for insurance and benefits 
• Medical, Dental and Vision Plans
• Life Insurance (Basic, ADD & Voluntary)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• 403(b) Retirement Plan – with an Employer Match!
• Pet Insurance
• Critical Illness and Accident Insurance
• Health and Wellness Programs
• Ongoing Opportunities for attending relevant trainings.

ABOUT YOU

Ideal candidates for the role of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant bring a mix of strong interpersonal skills, ability to work independently and flexibly, and ability to work effectively and comfortably with individuals and families from diverse backgrounds.

A successful candidate has:

• Specialized training and/or experience in parent-child mental health, early education, and child development.
• Ability to be reflective and encourage self-reflection in others
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite
• Basic background and experience in program evaluation
• Ability to work independently
• Bilingual candidates are strongly encouraged to apply

Requirements Include:

• Graduate degree in mental health discipline: psychology, social work, psychiatry or mental health counseling or education degree with clinical/mental health experience
• Substitution for graduate degree – Bachelor's degree with 8-10 years' mental health experience

ABOUT THE PROCESS

Applying for the position of Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant has the following requirements:

• A current resume
• A cover letter

If you are selected for consideration, the hiring process could include: 

• An initial phone screen.
• An in-person interview with team members 
• Background check
• 3 References, including two professional references.
• Copy of diploma
• Other hiring requirements  

ABOUT JF&CS

For more than 150 years, Jewish Family & Children's Service has been helping individuals and families build a strong foundation for resilience and well-being. We intentionally serve and employ people of all faiths, backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. Our work is guided by core tenets of faith and commitment not by bureaucratic processes or a desire to maximize profits. Our goal is to improve lives and improve the world which is part of what makes JF&CS a special place. Through an integrated portfolio of more than 40 programs reaching communities throughout Eastern and Central Massachusetts, JF&CS focuses on meeting the needs of new parents and their children, older adults and family caregivers, children and adults with disabilities, and people experiencing poverty, hunger, or domestic abuse.  We have a strong culture of professional development, work-life balance, and promotion from within. 

JF&CS is an equal opportunity employer who serves and employs people of all cultures and faith traditions and highly values diversity, equity, and inclusion. Employment opportunities are available to all without regard for race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability.