Muskegon Area Intermediate School District

Job Description

JOB TITLE: Early Childhood Behavioral Support / Mental Health Specialist

CLASSIFICATION: Professional

REPORTS TO: EC Behavior Team Coordinator - Mental Health

SUPERVISES: Not applicable

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS:
All candidates must apply online at www.muskegonisd.org/jobs/.

TERMS:
This position is a 205 total paid days position offering single subscriber medical, dental, and vision benefits. Dental, vision, and life insurance are paid by the district at no cost to the employee. Vacation, personal business days, holidays and sick time paid. Retirement through the Office of Retirement Services (Pension Plus or Defined Contribution).

SALARY RANGE:
This position is on the Early Childhood Center Scale that is grant funded, $23.2590 per hour for a BA degree, 29.3267 per hour for a MA degree. Due to grant funding, there are no negotiations available on this hourly rate.

GENERAL JOB FUNCTION:

The Specialist provides intensive mental health services to early childhood aged children and their families. This may include children and families participating in the Early Head Start program (ages birth – three) as well as children/families enrolled in Head Start Preschool classrooms. Behavioral support is provided within preschool classrooms and/or in family homes and includes work with children, families and staff. Services will be provided following the district school calendar.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Possession of a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, or related field, with at least two years work experience with children ages 0-5.
The ability to work and communicate effectively with co-workers, parents and young children.
Play therapy experience preferred, particularly with young children.
Knowledge of and working relationship with local community service agencies.
No physical or mental restrictions that would, with reasonable accommodation, prevent performance of the essential job functions and responsibilities.
Successful pre-employment physical exam including tuberculosis screening and criminal records background check.

PREFERRED COMPETENCIES: A MAISD Instructional Employee Skillfully Demonstrates . . .

● Understanding the Organization:

○ Serves as a strategic partner to build, grow and maintain profitable and long-lasting relationships with key stakeholders

● Building Collaborative Relationships:

○ Finds common ground and drives to consensus

○ Takes a proactive approach to relate, build and maintain rapport with stakeholders

○ Understands interpersonal and group dynamics and responds in an effective manner

● Making Complex Decisions:

○ Is respected by others for displaying student-focused decisions

○ Takes a proactive approach as an effective liaison between multiple and diverse stakeholders

● Taking Initiative:

○ Identifies and seizes new opportunities with a student focus

○ Adapts quickly to changing resource requirements

● Being Authentic:

○ Provides direct and actionable feedback

○ Shows consistency between words and actions

● Being Flexible and Adaptable:

○ Remains calm and productive in uncertain situations

○ Takes on the challenge of unfamiliar tasks

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. Work effectively as a member of the Early Childhood Center team to support children, families, and center staff to meet the social emotional needs of the children in the program. Working with these same people to provide a mental health wellness approach to the various environments or individual needs.

2. Ability to develop professional relationships with assigned children and families which results in a meaningful change of family outcomes and child social emotional development as well as mental health wellness.

3. Ability to convey early childhood social and emotional development to the client population.

4. Partner with community service agencies in order to best serve client population.

5. Maintain ongoing records for each client including referrals, progress notes, and behavior plans.

6. Provide support and social emotional strategies to classroom staff. Work with individual children, families and staff members to enhance their mental health well-being.

7. Participate in regular program planning meetings as requested.

8. Be an active member of the Conscious Discipline support and training team.

Makes recommendations to Center Coordinator regarding ongoing program improvement.
Upholds the Head Start Code of Conduct.
Performs such other tasks and assumes other responsibilities as may be assigned.

NOTABLE PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Sitting 7-8 hours a day possible. Standing, walking, squatting, twisting, and bending. Occasionally required to lift objects up to 30 pounds. There are frequent requirements to lift, hold and move moderate (students) and to control outbursts of physical behavior in the classroom setting.

TYPICAL WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed at the early childhood center location and off-site in client homes as needed.

EVALUATION:

Employees in this classification are evaluated prior to the completion of probationary status and according to Board policy thereafter.

TRAVEL EXPECTATIONS:

Occasional local and non-local travel.

PAY STRUCTURE:

Commensurate with the MAISD Early Childhood Center wage and benefit schedule.

It is the policy of the Muskegon Area Intermediate School District that no staff member, candidate for employment, program participant, or recipient of services shall experience discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation or transgender identity) disability, age, religion, height, weight, marital or family status, military status, ancestry, genetic information, or any other legally protected category (collectively "Protected Classes”), in its programs and activities, including employment opportunities. Inquiries related to issues of discrimination on the basis of disability should be directed to the Director for Special Education at (231) 767-7249. All other discrimination inquiries or requests for special accommodations to participate in a program, event, or activity should be directed to the Associate Superintendent for Human Services at (231) 767-7213.