The Y is the leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community by connecting all people to their potential, purpose and each other. Working locally, we focus on empowering young people, improving health and well-being, and inspiring action in and across communities. By bringing together people from different backgrounds, perspectives and generations, we ensure that we all have access to the opportunities, relationships and resources necessary to learn, grow and thrive

Come to work each day knowing that what you do has an impact on the lives of the people in your community. At the Y, we invite you to develop your skills, realize your leadership potential, and discover a position that is truly much more than a job. Plus, there is always room to grow at the Y!

Availability: Monday-Friday; Hours will vary based on school/branch. Must be available for shifts between 6:00am-6:30 pm. 

What you will do at the Y:

The YMCA of Snohomish County is seeking a compassionate and skilled Mental Health Specialist to join our team. As a Mental Health Specialist, you will promote youth success within YMCA programs by supporting participants in maximizing their potential through developmentally appropriate social emotional, academic, and behavioral interventions both individually and in small groups; to provide staff and participants with education and tools needed to promote participate success; provide community resources for participants and their families.

This is an in-person, Full-Time role supporting our before and after school programs during the school year and summer camps during the summer. Shifts are a combination of AM programming (6:30/7am to start of school) and afternoon programming (end of the school day to 6:30pm M-F). Administrative hours are provided. The position is will support and/or substitute at nearby sites when needed. Hours and shifts are determined by the school schedules, Mental Health Specialists will be expected to work 35-40 hours in a combination of admin and in ratio hours.

This position is grant funded through December 2024.

Job Duties/Responsibilities:

• Conduct small group or individual activities related to behavioral, personal, and social and emotional issues
• Assists in handling participant behavior management problems and in resolving concerns and personal issues. Follows up with staff to provide preventative measures.
• Coordinates with supervisors, site coordinators, and other staff to provide integrated program support and planning for youth.
• Connect with school personnel (counselors, paraeducators, principals, and vice principals) to create establish consistency between school and YMCA programs.
• Provide advice and referrals for individual participants and staff as time permits in the solution of personal problems
• Provides short term participant crisis intervention and follow up consultation with parents, including safety planning, behavior modification planning.
• Attend meetings with directors and coordinators to provide overarching guidance as requested.
• Keep an organized record of behavioral interventions utilized for all sites visited.

Knowledge:

• Best practice in area of counseling/guidance programs and strategies that are developmentally appropriate, evidenced base, and support the overall comprehensive counseling model
• Principles, methods, techniques, strategies, and trends in educational, vocational, social, and emotional counseling
• Social service and youth service agencies in the local area
• Social, emotional, and behavioral characteristics of students
• Support participants with needs in mild to intermediate intervention
• Principles, goals and objectives of youth serving organizations

Skills and Abilities:

• Assist students in effectively analyzing and developing alternative solutions to behavioral, educational, social, and emotional concern
• Demonstrate exceptional interpersonal communication skills in a variety of situations and with a variety of audiences
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions with minimal accountability controls
• Inspire confidence and trust in others
• Provide conflict resolution and mediation support

Qualifications:

• A. or B.S. in social work, education, psychology, or related field services preferred
• MSW or MA/MS in social services desired
• Experience assisting students and families with mental health and social programs
• Experience and/or training with cultural and learning diversity
• The ability to speak and write Spanish is highly desirable

Y Culture:

• Build relationships with a diverse membership base in culturally responsive ways, connect members with one another and to the YMCA
• Exhibit Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility
• Complete required training and certifications within established guidelines
• Arrive on time ready for shift, clock in/out within timekeeping system

Embrace Team Leader Core Competencies:

Mission Advancement:

• Models and teaches the Y’s values
• Ensures a high level of service with a commitment to improving lives
• Provides volunteers with orientation, training, development, and recognition
• Cultivates relationships to support fundraising

Collaboration:

• Champions inclusion activities, strategies, and initiatives
• Builds relationships to create small communities
• Empathetically listens and communicates for understanding when negotiating and dealing with conflict
• Effectively tailors communications to the appropriate audience
• Provides staff with feedback, coaching, guidance and support

Operational Effectiveness: 

• Provides others with frameworks for making decisions
• Conducts prototypes to support the launching of programs and activities
• Develops plans and manages best practices through engagement of team
• Effectively creates and manages budgets
• Holds staff accountable for high-quality results using a formal process to measure progress 

Personal Growth:

• Shares new insights
• Facilitates change; models adaptability and an awareness of the impact of change
• Utilizes non-threatening methods to address sensitive issues and inappropriate behavior or performance 
• Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills required to perform well; uses best practices and demonstrates up-to-date knowledge and skills in technology