Infant & Early Childhood Support Specialist

Full-Time Mental Health Consultant

The Learning Lamp has been lighting the way to a brighter future for nearly 20 years in our region. Initially started with the mission to provide access to high quality tutoring without the high price tag, our organization has grown, minimizing education and care disparities for children through child care, tutoring, and more. We are an integral part of the community, providing much needed support for families, schools, and children.

The Learning Lamp is looking to hire a Full-Time Mental Health Consultant. The Mental Health Consultant is responsible for observing and assessing children's behaviors in early learning and child care settings and providing recommendations and coaching to staff on how to handle issues that occur. This position will assist in ensuring young children in Cambria and Somerset Counties have the support they need to continue to learn alongside their peers without risk of removal for unsafe or problem behaviors. It will also provide early learning and child care providers with the added support their staff needs to reduce and prevent problem behaviors before they occur.

What are the hours like?

• This is a full-time position of 40 hours per week.
• Apply today to discuss a schedule that would work for you!

What do we offer?

• A collaborative, supportive environment for your professional growth.
• Training and Development opportunities, including access to a professional development platform where you choose your growth opportunities.
• Career Advancement opportunities through our apprenticeship programs for roles in leadership, administration, operations, and more!
• Holidays we are closed/you are off include: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
• Substantial Childcare Discounts for most employees, including:
• Infant/Toddler: $12 per day or less if eligible for Child Care Works (CCW)
• Preschool School Age: $9 per day
• 50% Off Before and After Care
• 50% Off Tutoring Services
• Pay Ranges from $17.00 - $19.00 per hour based on education and experience
• Our Full-Time positions also include the following benefits:
• PTO (up to 18 days after 6 months of employment)
• Health
• Dental
• Vision
• Pet Insurance
• Life
• Long-Term Disability
• Short-Term Disability
• Retirement savings (403(b))
• 529 Savings Plan
• Tuition reimbursement

What are the duties and responsibilities?

Outreach

• Market consultation services in Cambria and Somerset County
• Meet with providers and explain the process to request and receive services
• Schedule observations of classroom setup, schedules, and staff interactions with students in response to providers' inquiries
• Schedule observations of individual students and present recommendations in response to providers' inquiries

Behavior Support

• Provide classroom support for identified students, as needed
• Work collaboratively with staff to address the behavioral concerns of children who display developmental delays or challenging and disruptive behavior within the classroom
• Oversee implementation of behavior modification strategies to ensure staff have understood the recommendations and are able to implement them consistently
• Collaborate with behavioral health providers who are working with identified children to ensure consistency among caregivers working with the child
• Provide observation and collect data to determine the antecedents and functions of the child's behavior to guide recommendations for improvement
• Adhere to professional and ethical standards of best practice when engaging with students and their families
• Assess the effectiveness of strategies and interventions being recommended through ongoing data collection and consultation with the staff
• Participate in family meetings to discuss the behaviors of concern and identify interventions and strategies to support the child in the classroom and reduce disruptive behaviors
• Conduct a Behavioral Analysis for children with more complex behavioral issues and refer families for additional supports, as needed
• Participate in staff meetings/trainings, as needed
• Develop and deliver informal trainings and/or coaching sessions for staff, as requested

Documentation

• Document encounters for each provider and program location on the monthly spreadsheet
• Document all monthly activities on the monthly summary form and provide to our grant writer at the conclusion of the month
• Document each encounter with identified students on their tracking sheet to maintain an ongoing record of services and pertinent information regarding the child
• Write letters of recommendations to outside physicians and behavioral health providers regarding the need for more intensive services, when needed
• Revise recommendations, as needed, based on progress or regression being observed following implementation of recommended strategies
• Document family meeting notes and the strategies being recommended to support the child

What are the required qualifications?

• Master's Degree (preferred) or Bachelor's Degree in Behavior Science, Counseling, Psychology, Social Work or other related field
• Minimum of 2500 hours previously working with children
• Appropriate clearances and trainings: PA State Criminal History Record, Child Abuse Report, FBI Criminal History Report, NSOR clearance, and Mandated Reporter Training. Clearances must be kept current.
• CPR Certification, Fire Safety and DHS Training
• Physical done within one year prior to start date
• TB test within three months prior to start date
• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds on a regular basis
• Sitting, standing, walking, bending and stopping for long periods of time up to eight hours per day

Our opportunities are a great way to get a start in your career that offers a lot of room to grow within our organization. We need supportive and committed people to positively impact the next generation. Apply Today!

Note: The specific responsibilities and qualifications may vary based on the policies of regulations governing child care and education.

EOE- The Learning Lamp is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. In accordance with the Pregnant Workers' Fairness Act (PWFA), The Learning Lamp will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified employees or applicants with known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, unless such accommodations would impose an undue hardship on business operations. We are committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful workplace where all employees and applicants feel valued and supported. Reasonable Accommodations for individuals with disabilities are available upon request. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.