Under the supervision of the Disability and Mental Health Manager, the Social-Emotional Specialist will be an active member of the teaching team and provide resources and assistance concerning social and emotional learning to preschool teaching staff, children, and their families. This support includes, but is not limited to, one-on-one support, group work, classroom and teacher support, and collaborative problem solving with both prevention and intervention models. They will be assigned to our Haas model center in the Bayview-Hunter’s Point district.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS / RESPONSIBILITIES

• Establish a coordinated system of providing services, follow-up and documentation among mental health consultant/s, Disabilities and Mental Health Manager, Family Services Specialist, and Family Resource Center staff

• Ensure appropriate inclusion and mental health activities are being carried out in the Head Start/Early Head Start classrooms

• Train staff on positive behavior intervention strategies and techniques; including replacement behaviors

• Organize ECE-specific social-emotional trainings for site staff and follow up on the application of social-emotional support strategies in the classrooms

• Provide support to teachers through modeling, observing, coaching, and planning

• Work with children with behavioral challenges and/or disabilities individually or in integrated settings such as the classroom, team meetings, and in cooperation with classroom teachers, extend support to their families through parent education and as needed, consultation

• Provide direct support for children that require behavioral intervention/modification, including implementing de-escalation techniques that decreases harmful or negative behaviors

• Collaborate with staff to ensure Child Support Plans are implemented with fidelity

• Participate in the California Teaching Pyramid (CSEFEL) Leadership Team meetings

• Attend transition IFSP/IEP's meetings for children with special needs who are transitioning from the Early Head Start option to Head Start and from Head Start to Kindergarten

• Assist with the supervision of students in and out of the classroom

• Attend classroom team meetings and recommended training programs and conferences

• Keep records of intervention practices and outcomes in the ChildPlus database

Customer Service

• Provide exceptional customer service.

• Always represent the Agency in a professional manner.

Safety

• Maintain personal safety, use personal protection equipment (PPE) and follow Agency policies.

• Report all and any safety issues, accidents or injuries to your manager as a matter of priority.

Effective Team Member

• Ability to interact positively with team members.

• Ability to facilitate positive change.

• Partner with supervisor when necessary to address department issues or concerns.

POSITION QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Education, Mental Health, or Psychology with commensurate experience and knowledge of special education knowledge; Required

• LCSW/MFT; preferred

Experience:

• 1+ years of teaching experience

• 2+ years of working with young children (0-5) with emotional/behavioral challenges and disabilities such as autistic spectrum disorders and speech and language delays

• 3+ years community-based experience in a setting working with families and community organizations who have experienced poverty, crisis, trauma, and other adverse events.

• Understanding of concepts of child growth and development and developmental behavior characteristics

• Expert knowledge of function based intervention planning for developing behavior change strategies that focuses on reducing problem behavior and increasing more appropriate behavior.

Requirements:

• Current Physical Health Screening (every 2 years thereafter)
• Fingerprinting Clearance (DOJ)
• Current Immunizations (TB, Influenza, MMR, Pertussis) (must be kept current)
• Clearance Child Abuse Index
• Current CPR & First Aid Certificate (every 2 years thereafter)
• Valid State of California Driver’s License (current auto insurance and a clean driving record.)
• Must attend trainings that are required by funders (might be an evening or weekends)

Skills and Abilities:

• Effective communication with children, parents/guardians, staff, and administrators

• The ability to consistently be at work, be on time, follow instructions, respond to management direction and solicit feedback to improve performance

• Excellent interpersonal skills; courteous, professional, and helpful

Software and Equipment:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications: Google Documents, Knowledge of or ability to learn ChildPlus

• General office equipment, fax, copier, printer, phone, and computer.

Confidential and Sensitive Information:

• Ability to maintain the highest level of confidentiality when dealing with client information.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job the employee is required to sit approximately 50% of the time, walk 25% of the time and stand 25% of the time. The employee is frequently required to use hands and fingers to type or handle, feel, and operate objects. The employee is required to occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. While performing the duties of this job the employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to speak and listen. Specific vision abilities of this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

What we offer

• Pay Rate: $38.50 - 43.90 per hour

• Medical – Kaiser and CCHP / Dental – Principal / Vision – Vision Care / Life Insurance - $50,000 / 403b – 3% match / FSA

• 15 paid sick days / 12 paid holidays / 12 paid vacation days

• EAP (Employee Assistance Program) / WADP (Working Advantage Discount Program)

If you are seeking an organization that values, promotes and develops leadership by delivering culturally sensitive, multi-generational, community-based services that empower families to build strong, healthy, and vibrant neighborhoods with the vision of a strong, healthier and more vibrant community that respects and celebrates its many rich, cultural traditions, please apply.

We are an equal-opportunity employer that welcomes diversity in the workplace and has a great company culture. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment.