Job Description

About the Position

Are you seeking an opportunity to strengthen families of young children, are skillful at building collaborative relationships, and are a licensed mental health counselor in Arizona (or are able to become licensed in Arizona), then look no further and join Maricopa County Human Services team as a Mental Health Associate!

As a Mental Health Associate, you will work collaboratively with multi-disciplinary team members to build positive relationships among children, ages birth to five, families, and the community to enhance awareness and understanding of mental wellness. Your expertise as a Mental Health Associate would be utilized to provide social-emotional and positive behavior support, prevention information, and referrals for mental health services for children under five years of age and their families enrolled in the Maricopa County Head Start Zero-Five Program.

Are you ready to promote the mental well-being of young children and their families in our communities and truly make a difference in someone\'s life? Apply now!

On-The-Spot Hiring Event:

Maricopa County\'s Human Services Department is hosting an in-person hiring event! Join us Monday, August 28 from 3PM - 6PM at the Head Start Mesa Corporate Location - 1001 W Southern Ave, Mesa AZ 85210. We encourage you to apply online, but walk-ins are always welcome. Bring your resume, walk-in, and walk-out with a new career!

About Us

The Early Education Division is dedicated to ensuring children have the knowledge and skills to be successful in school and life through service delivery to children and families in core areas of early learning, health, and family well-being while engaging parents as partners every step of the way. Head Start encompasses Head Start preschool programs, which primarily serve 3- and 4-year-old children, and Early Head Start programs for infants, toddlers, and pregnant women.

Proud to Offer

• Perform work with a greater purpose: support vulnerable communities with a holistic approach for families, teachers, and children

• Promotion of mental health in Head Start:

• Field-based opportunity that provides mileage reimbursement

• On-the-job professional development: the opportunity to gain licensure with reimbursement

• 3-5 months of training and professional development: all expenses paid

• Exceptional work-life balance, with flexible and consistent scheduling, with weekends off

• Experience working in different locations and environments and collaborating with diverse teams and clients

• Low-cost, high-value healthcare for you and your qualifying dependents

• Enrollment in Arizona State Retirement System

• Paid vacation, sick, and parental (birth/adoption) leaves

• Extensive wellness program with $60 monthly medical premium discounts

• Learn more at

We Require

• Master\'s degree in counseling, marital and family counseling, social work, psychology, or a closely related field

• Recognized certified mental health professional OR

• A valid, unrestricted license issued by the Arizona State Board of Behavioral Health Examiners as a

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), OR

• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), OR

• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) OR

• Applicants must be in the process of obtaining their LCSW, LMFT or LPC licensure. If hired, the employee must complete their licensure within 6 months of the hire date to remain employed

We Also Value

• Experience working with families to promote positive social/emotional development in young children

• Post-masters experience involving work with young children and infant-child mental health, including working in a classroom setting or consulting with teachers and families

• Experience with special education procedures and the special needs of young children with disabilities and their families

• Experience working with monolingual Spanish families and children

• Infant Mental Health Endorsement\xc2\xae (IMH-E\xc2\xae)

Job Contributions

• Assess and assist program staff in implementing program practices that support children\'s social/emotional development, including preventative action plans

• Prepare and facilitate training for staff and parents on positive discipline, social/emotional development, and successful techniques for eliminating challenging behaviors

• Provide on-site training and technical assistance to instructional staff and parents related to understanding social/emotional development, handling challenging behavior, using positive discipline, and identifying children with social/emotional development concerns

• Conduct classroom visits/observations and provides mental health, modeling, feedback, and a plan of action for staff and parents based on observations

• Coordinate services with the Inclusion Coordinator, Program Assurance Supervisors, Family Support Specialists, instructional staff, and community behavioral health agencies

• Evaluate mental health data and information to identify trends that affect current and future child/family outcomes monthly

• Develop corrective action plans from trend evaluation and lead efforts to modify that will meet programmatic requirements

• Monitor outcomes and performs data entry of mental health information to ensure that mental health performance standards are met for all enrolled children

• Provide appropriate professional mental health referrals and resources for both children and parents, as needed, based on behavioral observations, assessments, or family\'s needs

• Lead the Wellness group initiatives and related responsibilities for the Human Services Department

Working Conditions

• Work may be performed remotely as assigned, in the parent\'s home, a classroom, or an office environment

• Position is located in the Mesa (EVC) office, with at least half of the time in the field providing support to teachers, children, and families

• Requires travel to other program sites and parents\' homes using a personal vehicle

• Must be able to stand, sit on the floor, and be indoors and outdoors for extended periods

• Possible exposure to bodily fluids and infectious disease

• Must possess or have the ability to obtain a valid Arizona driver\'s license by the time of hire

• Must complete a background check and fingerprint identification upon hire to secure and maintain an Arizona Department of Public Safety Level 1 Fingerprint Clearance Card

• Must complete a medical exam that includes screening for tuberculosis (TB)

• Employees are responsible for ensuring their classes comply with policy and tracking calendar year reimbursements to make sure they do not exceed $5,250

Selection Procedure

• Only the most qualified candidates will be considered

• Consideration will only be given to candidates who submit online applications

• Candidates will be contacted primarily through email and their Workday online application profile

• Must pass a pre-employment background and/or fingerprint investigation as required by statute or policy, including drug and alcohol testing requirements for positions designated as safety-sensitive

Maricopa County is an equal opportunity employer.

REF: JR6401

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