POSITION TITLE: Mental Health Consultant 

STATUS: Part time (17.5 hours), non exempt 

RESPONSIBLE TO: Community Services Director 

The Child Development Council is committed to fostering a welcoming and vibrant workplace as an Equal Opportunity Employer. We seek a diverse applicant pool to join our team-oriented organization and all qualified applicants will receive consideration. 

POSITION SUMMARY: 

The Mental Health Consultant will promote healthy social and emotional development of infants and young children by building the confidence, competencies, and skills of caregivers and the Child Development Council team. The Mental Health Consultant will provide a broad range of services that support the relationship between young children and their caregivers, focusing on methods to build resiliency and protective factors. The Mental Health Consultant is a Mandated Reporter for child abuse and neglect. This position requires regular evening and occasional weekend hours. 

The Child Development Council has offices in Ithaca, NY and Cortland, NY. This position requires on-site work in both the Cortland and Tompkins County Family Resource Centers. Regular travel in Tompkins and Cortland County is required, and occasional travel in New York State or beyond may be required. 

QUALIFICATIONS: 

Required: 

  • Master’s degree in a mental health-related field 
  • Completion of a supervised internship or practicum 
  • Passing of a state licensing exam 
  • Expertise in infant/toddler/child mental health and family dynamics 
  • Experience supporting adults facing domestic violence, mental health, and substance use 
  • Reliable transportation and a valid driver’s license 

The ideal candidate will demonstrate: 

  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills 
  • Strong organizational and time management skills 
  • Solid ability to work both independently and collaboratively 
  • Independent problem solving and critical thinking skills 
  • Comprehensive understanding of pregnancy, child development and wellness, and parenting 
  • Strengths-based approach in working with families and team members
  • Knowledge of agency services and community resources, or ability to learn

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES: 

  1. Provide direct services to enrolled families, children, and staff to promote social and emotional wellbeing: 
  2. Offer scheduled meeting times and open office hours for families in need of support, problem solving, and resources; 
  3. Plan and facilitate developmentally appropriate mental health related activities at Family Resource Center events; 
  4. Conduct social emotional assessments for eligible children; 
  5. Provide referrals for children’s mental health, counseling, and behavioral services; E. Provide referrals for adult mental health, domestic violence, and substance use services; 
  6. Connect participants with crisis services (as needed); 
  7. Conduct mental health screenings (Edinburg) for postpartum persons; 
  8. Plan and facilitate training, including parent education, on mental health topics; I. Provide consultation, support, guidance, and training for staff, focusing on mental health topics; 
  9. Coordinate Mental Health First Aid training for participants and staff; 
  10. Employ prevention and early intervention strategies to prevent and reduce recidivism of child abuse and neglect; 
  11. Collect, aggregate, and report program related data; 
  12. Maintain contact with the Community Services Director, meeting regularly, sharing program and participant needs and successes. 

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES: 

  1. Attend scheduled meetings of the Council staff and agency board meetings as directed; 2. Maintain confidentiality in accordance with agency policies; 
  2. Attend appropriate professional development training; 
  3. Perform other reasonably related tasks, both at the agency and in the community, as assigned; 
  4. Maintain reliable transportation and a valid driver’s license. 

COMPENSATION: 

Starting Salary Range: $19,500 – $23,000, based on education, credentials, and/or experience. 

Benefits: $4,750/annually in flexible benefits that can be used to subsidize health and/or dental care, dependent care costs, annuities, or taken in cash.  

Annual Paid Time Off (PTO), Floating Days, and paid holidays. 

TO APPLY: Send a cover letter and resume to Margaret@childdevelopmentcouncil.org.