Regional Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist en undefined

Job Goal:

The Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) Specialist partners with childcare providers in both center-based and family child care settings to strengthen their ability to foster children’s healthy social-emotional development. Through individualized consultation, coaching, and culturally responsive strategies, the Specialist supports providers in creating nurturing, inclusive environments that help adults promote children’s success.

The IECMH Specialist will serve licensed child care centers, licensed group child care homes, registered family child care homes, child care aides, and relative care providers across Umatilla, Union, and Morrow counties. The role includes developing collaborative relationships with parents, professionals, and community organizations that serve infants, young children, and their families. This position is part of the CCR&R team and requires regular driving and travel within the region.

As part of Oregon’s Every Child Belongs initiative, the Specialist focuses on reducing suspensions and expulsions by addressing challenges early and promoting positive behavior supports tailored to each program and community. Drawing on mental health expertise and a deep understanding of early childhood development, the Specialist serves as a collaborative, non-judgmental thought partner—bringing humility, empathy, curiosity, and flexibility to every interaction. This relationship-based approach supports the well-being of both children and providers, fostering stable, responsive, and emotionally supportive care environments.

Culturally specific and culturally responsive services are essential to the success of this program. We strongly encourage applications from consultants whose race, ethnicity, culture, and/or language reflect the communities they serve.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Provide relationship-based, preventive interventions to promote the mental health of infants and young children, addressing behaviors that may place them at risk of suspension or expulsion.

• Partner with childcare providers in center-based and family child care settings to strengthen their capacity to support children’s social-emotional development through individualized consultation and coaching tailored to each provider and/or program.

• Support providers in implementing inclusive, equitable, and culturally responsive practices that promote positive behavior, emotional well-being, and optimal development.

• Providing group and individual training on overall social and emotional wellness with specific topics related to infant and early childhood development, trauma-informed care, attachment, self-care, and other related topics.

• Collaborate with providers to co-create practical, evidence-informed strategies for addressing challenging behaviors and fostering healthy relationships.

• Maintain ongoing communication with childcare providers, CCR&R coaches, supervisors, and other partners regarding early relationship health, developmental concerns, and progress toward goals, as appropriate for each case.

• Gather and analyze relevant data to support reports and presentations that guide program development and evaluation.

• Record intervention strategies and provider interactions in the appropriate system on a weekly basis, ensuring accuracy and completeness.

• Make referrals to appropriate outside services for children and families, as needed.

• Collaborate with Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education and other community partners to coordinate support and services.

• Serve as a non-judgmental thought partner to providers, fostering reflection and professional growth through relationship-based support.

• Demonstrate effective communication, empathy, humility, curiosity, and flexibility in all interactions.

• Participate in reflective supervision, committees, work groups, and communities of practice to strengthen skills and maintain alignment with best practices.

• Exercise independent judgment in prioritizing and managing daily tasks to meet program and community needs.

General Staff Responsibilities:

• Participate in staff meetings, conferences, training sessions and workshops as assigned

• Demonstrate familiarity with employment policies, performance standards, work plan and objectives of Agency as well as the mission of the CCR&R and the Every Child Belongs initiative.

• Maintain congenial and respectful relations with staff, children, families and community

• Keep current and accurate records and file reports on time

• Maintain confidentiality in regards to staff and family information

• Maintain objectives and professional standards

• Improve self‐skills and education

• Fulfill role as mandated reporter as stated in Child Abuse and Neglect Policy

• Be present at work in order to provide consistency of services

• Be a contributory team member in a positive/productive manner

• Demonstrate commitment to mission, values, and policies in the performance of daily duties

• And or any other duties deemed necessary by your supervisor

Education Requirements:

Pathway 1 – Emerging

Education Requirement

• Associate or Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, psychology, social work, or a related field

• Endorsement in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IMH-E® or ECMHE®) at the Family Associate, Specialist or Mental Health Specialist level, or the ability to meet endorsement requirements within 12 months of hire

Experience & Skills Requirements

•Some experience in the early care and education field

Pathway 2 – Standard

Education Requirement

• Associate or Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, psychology, social work, or a related field

• Endorsement in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IMH-E® or ECMHE®) at the Family Specialist or Mental Health Specialist level

Experience & Skills Requirements

• Some experience in the early care and education field

• Minimum of 6 months experience providing IECMH Consultation

Pathway 3 – Advanced

Education Requirement

• Mental Health Credential/License

• Endorsement in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IMH-E® or ECMHE®) at the Family Specialist, Mental Health Specialist, or Mental Health Mentor level + Endorsed Reflective Supervisor (ERS)

Experience & Skills Requirements

• Some experience in the early care and education field

• Minimum of 6 months experience providing IECMH Consultation

• Qualified provider of reflective supervision

Additional Preferred Skills for All Pathways

• Bilingual in English and Spanish

• Knowledge of and experience implementing the Pyramid Model for Promoting Social-Emotional Competence in Infants and Young Childre

• Ability to acquire and maintain a valid first aid and infant/child CPR card & food handler’s card

• Knowledge of and experience implementing trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices

• Experience or strong knowledge of Infant toddler mental health.

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands and work environment described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to:

o Sit for long periods of time with daily use of computer screen;

o Do tasks involving repetitive arm and hand movements, such as heavy word processing/keyboarding, using various office tools to collate, punch, cut, or stamp paper and other repetitive or high‐volume tasks such as bulk mailings, filing projects, etc.;

o Occasional filing is required. This would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bending as necessary;

o Occasionally required to stand, walk and reach with hands and arms;

o Occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Environment/Conditions:

• Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.

• Job tasks are performed in close physical proximity to other people

Safety:

Apply safe practices in the performance of duties

o Reporting of unsafe or hazardous working conditions and/or any injury immediately

o Complying with Agency safety standards

o Participate in emergency drills

o Promote a culture of safe environments in the workplace

Organizational Requirements:

• Current enrollment in the Child Care Licensing Division’s Central Background Registry

• Current physical examination, drug screen, and TB screen documentation prior to hire

• Ability to drive a private or Agency vehicle; must possess a valid driver's license and personal automobile or provide a plan that will allow fulfillment of position requirements. A DMV Record check will be conducted prior to hire.

• Desire to work with low‐income children and their families

• Communicate effectively with staff, families, children, and the public using the telephone and in face‐to‐face, one‐to‐one, and in group settings

• Fluent in English both verbally and written

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Umatilla-Morrow Head Start, Inc. is committed to providing equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals in all aspects of employment, including, but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, job assignments, promotions, career advancement opportunities, working conditions, scheduling, disciplinary action, termination of employment, compensation, and access to benefits and training. We recruit, hire, and promote into all job levels the most qualified applicants without regard to legally protected characteristics.