Head Start/Pre-K Counts Mental Health Coach

Allegheny Intermediate Unit; Homestead (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job description

Job Title: Head Start/Pre-K Counts Mental Health Coach

Position Summary:

This position leads and facilitates mental health support initiatives within the Early Childhood Education program, focusing on the emotional and behavioral well-being of children, families, and staff. This role involves collaborating with educators, parents, and community resources to implement preventive strategies, provide targeted supports, and promote best practices in Early Childhood Mental Health to enhance the program and families served in the community.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Participate in the staff observation and evaluation process to ensure that the teaching staff has the tools they need in order to be successful in their roles. Monitor and ensure the quality and effectiveness of teaching techniques utilized by the team. Make recommendations regarding professional development support as necessary.
2. Dynamically and professionally work with a team to assess needs, collaborate on prioritizing concerns, suggest strategies, assist in implementation of strategies, and move the team forward with creating a plan.
3. Support a team in designing a behavior plan for individual children that is motivating/reinforcing for the child, culturally responsive, trauma informed, and the teaching team can execute with fidelity.
4. Facilitate a coaching model to support teaching staff; leveraging the “I do, we do, you do” philosophy.
5. Consult with staff from all components of the Head Start program (e.g. classroom staff, Early Intervention, Family Advocates, Education Advisors, Health Advisors/team) to ensure coordination and comprehensive services.
6. Attend teaming meetings, in-services, workshops, and other assigned learning modules demonstrating an interest in professional growth.
7. Respond to other needs of the program as indicated by the Supervisor/Administrator.
8. Participate in the staff selection and recruitment process to better gauge what type of additional professional development may be required to set the staff up for success.

Qualifications:

1. B.A./B.S. degree in Early Childhood/ Child Development, Education, Special Education, or Psychology/ Developmental/ Applied Psychology
2. Minimum of two (2) years experience with preschool children with special needs (preferably behavior disorders) and with typically developing preschool children.
3. Knowledge of early childhood behavioral and mental health best practices, with willingness to grow expertise in this area.
4. Ability to demonstrate an understanding and the execution of appropriate developmental expectations for preschool children as well as appropriate adult responses to challenging behavior.
5. Ability to demonstrate a working knowledge of behavioral theory, including tiered approaches in the classroom setting. Willingness to be creative and flexible with regards to guiding others in best practices.
6. Experience working within marginalized, racially and/or culturally diverse, and economically disadvantaged groups of people highly preferred.
7. Current criminal history clearance, child abuse clearance and FBI clearance required (Act 33/34/151).
8. Personal transportation, valid driver’s license and insurance required.

Additional Requirements:

1. Current Act 114, Act 34, Act 151 and NSOR Clearances required prior to an offer (Must be dated within 1 year of hire date).
2. School Personnel Health Record (Form H511.340) must be completed and received by Human Resources prior to hire date.

Working Conditions: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Sitting for extended period of time.
2. Lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling 50 pounds.
3. Ability to kneel, crouch, bend and reach to retrieve and handle teaching materials and supplies.
4. Moving fingers and hands in a repetitive manner.
5. Ability to speak clearly and distinctly when communicating with limited English speaking customers.
6. Hearing clearly.
7. Adequate vision to perform duties.

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.

Reports To: Supervisor of Early Intervention and Mental Health
Department: Early Childhood Education
Position Schedule: Monday – Friday
Salary: Grade 13
Benefits: Act 93

To Apply: Create an online application and upload a cover letter, resume, clearances, PDE Teaching Certificate (if applicable) and transcripts at the AIU Career Site. Please send any questions to: [e-mail]

The Allegheny Intermediate Unit is an equal opportunity education institution and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, handicap, or limited English proficiency in its educational programs, services, facilities, activities or employment practices as required by Title IX of the 1972 Educational Amendments, Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, Section 504 Regulations of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1975, Section 204 Regulations of the 1984 Carl D. Perkins Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, or any other applicable federal or state statute.