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 multiple Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant positions to join our early childhood education (ECE) team working in partnership with the Virginia Department of Education, Office of Early Childhood on multiple ECE initiatives. Across our initiatives, we aim to ensure all young children in Virginia experience high-quality early learning opportunities and support teachers and leaders to provide inclusive, equitable, and anti-racist learning environments.

Consultants will work on the Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation pilot (new in 2021-2022) and will focus on providing consultation to support Virginia teachers to promote young children's social-emotional skills and prevent expulsion of children from early care and education settings. As part of the model, consultants will meet with families and support teachers to collaborate effectively with families. UVA-CASTL, in partnership with the VDOE and the Infant Toddler Specialist Network (ITSN), will develop, pilot, and evaluate a birth-to-five mental health consultation model in 2021-2022. Consultants at UVA-CASTL will work with teachers in classrooms serving 3-5-year-olds.

The pilot will take place in and around Richmond, Virginia, and will include in-person work (as well as virtual work).

Responsibilities:

• Plan, schedule, and provide individualized one-on-one mental health consultation services on a regular basis to teachers and families in and around the Richmond, Virginia area.
• Gather and analyze data from child and classroom assessment tools (such as CLASS, inCLASS, TPOT-S, VKRP: CBRS) and use this information to inform goals with teachers.
• Coordinate multiple simultaneous tasks of varying complexity, with excellent attention to detail while implementing flexible problem-solving skills.
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with early childhood teachers, families, leaders, and internal teams at UVA-CASTL.

Qualifications:

Required:

• A Bachelor's degree in psychology, counseling, social work, education or a related field.
• Two years of relevant experience (including work in an early childhood environment).
• Knowledge of early childhood development.
• Experience with consulting and/or coaching teachers (e.g., Practice Based Coaching).
• Demonstrated expertise, experience, and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (including experience providing culturally responsive services to diverse populations).
• Excellent executive function skills: organization, time management, shifting focus across tasks (involving attention to details and 'the big picture' as needed).
• Outstanding written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate closely with teams, seeking and using feedback, in a deadline-driven environment.
• Ability to take initiative and work independently.
• Proficiency in use of technology:
• Microsoft Office applications (e.g., Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel)
• Videoconferencing, teaching, or webinar tools (e.g., Zoom, Canvas)
• Virtual platforms or storage (e.g., Google Docs, Box, Trello)

Preferred:

• A Master's degree in psychology, counseling, social work, education or a related field is preferred and may substitute for some experience.
• Licensed Mental Health provider in Virginia preferred.
• Three or more years of experience in an early childhood environment strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of Virginia's early childhood education programming across a range of settings (e.g., VPI, ECSE, Title 1, Head Start, in schools, centers, and Family Day Homes).
• Experience supporting children's social-emotional and self-regulation skills, such as through use of curricula, strategies, or frameworks (e.g., Pyramid Model).
• Experience observing classrooms and/or children with standardized tools.
• Experience working with families (e.g., consultation, home visiting, counseling).
• Experience with Early Childhood Special Education or Early Intervention.
• Experience with coaching or supervising teachers using video review and feedback.

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.

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. 

The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment. This position will also require an Education Verification. (FSAKA)

COVID Vaccination Requirement and Guidelines

Please visit the UVA COVID-19 Job Requirements and Guidelines webpage prior to applying for current information regarding vaccination requirements and guidelines for employment at UVA.