Description

The Center for the Advanced Study of Teaching and Learning (CASTL) in the School of Education and Human Development at the University of Virginia seeks applicants for a part-time Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant to join our highly collaborative diverse early childhood education (ECE) team. This position will work on the Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (ECMHC) pilot in its second year 2 (2022-2023). The goal in year 2 of the pilot is to refine our birth-to-five mental health consultation model, in partnership with the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) and the Infant Toddler Specialist Network (ITSN). Our ECMHC model aims to support Virginia teachers to promote young children’s social-emotional skills and prevent expulsion of children from early care and education settings. This person’s work will intersect with the Advancing Effective Interaction & Instruction (AEII) initiative as the service models become integrated.

The individual in this part-time consultant role will provide ongoing consultation services to teachers in classrooms serving 3-5-year-olds and meet occasionally with families as well as program leaders. The consultant will receive training and support to ensure successful, high-fidelity implementation of the CASTL consultation and coaching models. We will emphasize follow-through on protocols and up-to-date documentation of the consultation to promote quality of services, intended outcomes for teachers and children, and support the successful evaluation of the pilot.

The ECMHC pilot will take place in Charlottesville City, Albemarle County, and locations in the Greater Richmond, Virginia area. The individual in this position will conduct in-person work, including provision of services to teachers, in Charlottesville and Albemarle. In addition to in-person work, some virtual and hybrid formats will also be involved (e.g., virtual consultation using video). There is potential for in-person, virtual, or hybrid work in the following Greater Richmond areas: Chesterfield, Henrico, Hanover, Goochland, Powhatan, Charles City, and New Kent County; Richmond, Colonial Heights and Petersburg City. Reliable transportation is required to provide services to areas in which in-person or hybrid referrals are received.

Role and Responsibilities:

The successful candidate will be expected to:

Project Coordination and Implementation

• Develop a deep understanding of our consultation model, which includes in-person and virtual formats to support teachers’ use of equitable social-emotional & self-regulation practices.
• Provide high-fidelity one-on-one ECMHC consultation based on established protocols for teachers, as well as leaders and families.
• Use systems to ensure coaching uptake, dosage, and quality (e.g., use tracking sheets and feedback from lead coach using a fidelity tool).

• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with educators, school leaders, and internal working teams from diverse backgrounds.

Communication and Dissemination 

• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with teachers, program leaders, and internal working teams to communicate project expectations and progress.
• Be responsive and attentive to details in all communications.
• Collaborate closely with a diverse team in a deadline-driven environment.

In addition to the above job responsibilities, other duties may be assigned.

Compensation Information 

Pay is $28-36/hour.

This is a wage position which is not eligible for leave or other benefits and is limited to 1500 hours of work in a year. For more information, refer to the Wage Employment link: http://uvapolicy.virginia.edu/policy/HRM-029

Application Instructions

Please apply through Workday at https://uva.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/UVAJobs, and search for Early Childhood Education Coach Staff (wage). Complete an application online with the following documents:

• CV or Resume
• Cover letter
• As part of the application process, please submit a statement (500 words or less) describing how you address diversity, equity, and inclusion in your work.

Upload all materials into the resume submission field. Multiple documents can be submitted into this one field. Alternatively, merge all documents into one PDF for submission.  Applications that do not contain all required documents will not receive full consideration. Internal applicants must apply through their UVA Workday profile by searching ‘Find Jobs.’

The position will remain open until filled. This position will not sponsor applicants for work visas. This wage position is expected to be a one-year appointment, and continuation beyond one year is dependent upon project need, availability of funding, and performance.

The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment.  This position will also require an Education Verification. (FSAKA) Questions related to the application process may be directed to Jen Krahn, Sr. HR Specialist, at jak8w@virginia.edu.

In alignment with President Ryan’s UVA strategic plan, CASTL is committed to:

• Recruiting talented and diverse doctoral students, post-doctoral fellows, faculty, and staff;
• Recruitment and retention of a diverse workforce and providing an inclusive and supportive environment in which staff and faculty are recognized as integral to the success of our work; and
• Promoting a culture of integrity, mutual respect, excellence, collaboration, and innovation.

Required Qualifications

Qualified candidates must have:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree
• Experience: Three years of relevant experience. Master’s degree will be considered in lieu of experience.

Skills Required

Preferred Qualifications

Significant preference will be given to those candidates who meet some or all preferred qualifications. Candidates are strongly encouraged to submit a cover letter detailing how their experience and qualifications align with the following:

• Experience providing early childhood mental health consultation (or more broadly, consultation, coaching, or technical assistance.)
• Licensure  in a mental health field and/or a Master’s degree in psychology, counseling, social work, education or a related field is preferred and may substitute for some experience.
• Experience with virtually consulting, coaching, or creating and facilitating online coursework, especially coaching or supervising teachers using video review and feedback.
• Experience supporting children’s social-emotional and self-regulation skills such as through use of frameworks or curricula like the Pyramid Model or Streamin3.
• Experience observing classrooms and/or children with standardized tools.
• Experience with Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) or Early Intervention.
• Experience working with families (e.g., home visiting, counseling, consultation).
• Experience serving birth-to-five teachers in various settings, including child care centers and Family Day homes, Head Start, VPI, and ECSE.
• Demonstrated expertise, experience, and commitment to diversity, equity, and access.
• Proficiency in use of technology:
• Project management tools (e.g., Smartsheet)
• Microsoft Office applications (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel)
• Videoconferencing, teaching, or webinar tools (e.g., Zoom, Canvas)
• Virtual platforms or storage (e.g., Google Docs, Box)