About WestEd

As a community of over 1,300 researchers, practitioners, consultants, and administrative professionals from all backgrounds and life experiences, we are committed to making a qualitative difference in the lives of youth, children, and adults. We conduct and apply research, develop evidence-based solutions, and provide consulting services across the country in both rural and urban communities to improve equitable outcomes for individuals from infancy through adulthood. Serving as trusted partners in the areas of education, health, and justice, our teams enhance capacity within communities and school districts to prioritize impact — asking the right questions, customizing methodologies, developing relevant tools, and implementing best practices specific to a diverse range of stakeholder needs.

Furthering diversity, equity, and inclusion is core to who we are and how we work. We are committed to working with our clients to illuminate and address disparities, value and elevate diverse voices, and ensure equitable access to our resources and services. Please review our Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. Come and join us!

SPECIAL NOTICE REGARDING THE WORK LOCATION OF THIS POSITION—Although WestEd provides the option of working at one of its facilities for employees, many roles allow employees to choose to work remotely for their own convenience. The decision to allow remote work at the employee's convenience is based on the requirements of the position or project in question.

Position responsibilities:

Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC) Network Consultants (Specialists) work in communities, providing direct in-person and virtual support to center-based administrators, teachers, staff, and home-based care providers. IECMHC Network Specialists are matched with assignments based on geographic location, availability, areas of expertise, and individualized program needs. The IECMHC Network team coordinates the referral process and provides resources and a host of supports for IECMHC Network Specialists, including individual and group reflective practice. IECMHC Network Specialists use a diversity-informed, reflective, and relationship-based approach to collaborate with home-based providers, center-based teachers, and program leaders to build their capacity to:

• Respond effectively to children’s developmental, social, emotional, and behavioral needs.
• Consider all relationships influencing young children’s well-being, both adult-child relationships and those between the adults caring for children. 
• Engage in self-reflection about personal values, perceptions, and beliefs, culture, as well as the connections between adult’s feelings and behavior and children’s feelings and behavior.
• Reframe children’s behavior to problem solve and practice new ways of responding to children’s needs. 
• Gain knowledge and skills in understanding the impact of trauma on young children and develop a trauma-informed lens to inform their approaches working with young children and their families.
• Increase awareness and connection to community resources.
• Develop inclusive and equitable policies and procedures that reflect a commitment to serving all children and families.
•  Promote staff/provider health and well-being by attending to their feelings and experiences within the context of their relational work and interactions with young children and their families. 

Qualifications:

At a minimum, IECMHC Network Specialists hold a master’s degree in social work, psychology, mental health, counseling, early childhood special education, early childhood education or child development, and/or a closely related field. Clinical licensure or license eligible preferred, but not required. Ideal candidates bring:

• At least 3 years of experience providing training, technical assistance, and/or consultation with child care and early education staff/providers.
• At least 1 year of providing and receiving reflective practice.
• Experience working directly in a child care or early education setting with children birth through five years old and their families. 
• Experience working with home-based providers, including family child care home providers and family, friend, and neighbor caregivers.
• Ability to provide relationship- and strength-based consultation using inquiry and reflective practices.
• Knowledge of social and emotional development, relational health, resilience, and well-being of young children and the adults who care for them; how to promote social and emotional competence and trauma-informed practices in child care and early education settings.
• Knowledge of community resources for children ages birth to five and their families.
• Knowledge of inclusive practices and IDEA and ADA requirements.
• Endorsement in Infant-Family and Early Childhood Mental Health and Reflective Practice Facilitation.

Travel is required. Must be a resident of California.

*Note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Successful candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.

WestEd conducts a criminal background check and education verification for all new hires. Any offers of employment will be contingent on receiving a clear background check in accordance with applicable law.

Salary for this temporary, hourly paid role is $50/hour.

Committed to the diversity of race, ethnicities, perspectives, and opportunities, WestEd offers a variety of social and professional learning communities, such as Employee Resource groups, the Data Intelligence, Insights, and Innovation PLC, and the WestEd Parent Community, just to name a few. We hope you’ll consider joining us to build better schools, communities, learning pathways, and more! #LI-Remote #LI-Hybrid