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Behavioral Health Specialist

City of Cambridge, MA
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ABOUT THE OFFICE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD:
A collaboration between the City of Cambridge and Cambridge Public Schools, the mission of the Office of Early Childhood (OEC) is to connect the Cambridge early childhood ecosystem, align early childhood services and information, and advocate for and advance the needs of all young children, their families, and the early childhood workforce. The vision for this work is that every child and family in Cambridge has access to high quality early care and education experiences. As a result, all children enter school ready to thrive academically, physically, socially, and emotionally and continue to do so through third grade and beyond.

 

ABOUT THE ROLE:
The Behavioral Health Specialist leads efforts and promotes quality of services for children with behavior, academic and mental health needs through coordination with Cambridge Public Schools, community based programs, Head Start, Riverside Community Care Early Intervention and Early Years Project, Early Childhood Mental Health grantees, and other local supports. This includes all parts of the EC Ecosystem and infants through school aged children, with a specific focus on families and the workforce who are part of the Cambridge Preschool Program.  The Behavioral Health Specialist reports directly to the Director of Family and Community Engagement.

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

  • Lead work to advance quality of services for children with behavior, academic and mental health needs and connect early childhood agencies/teams whose primary focus is children/families with behavioral health, special education needs.
  • Collaborate with agencies/teams working to improve equitable local support to children with special needs and those working to improve and reduce suspension and expulsion rates.
  • Create a system to identify the gaps in behavioral health support for families and the early childhood workforce. With partners propose improvements and plans for ongoing advocacy.
  • Work collaboratively with the Director of Family and Community Engagement, Riverside Community Care Early Intervention and Early Years Project representative.
  • With the Director of Family & Community Engagement, oversee the contracted scope of work of the Early Years Project (EYP) and ensure its implementation.
  • With OEC leadership work collaboratively with Cambridge Public Schools Special Start/Office of Student Services representative.
  • Collaborate with OEC colleagues to ensure that all OEC work is inclusive of children and families who have behavioral health and/or special learning needs. 
  • With OEC partners, develop and maintain family facing materials for young children/families with behavior, academic and mental health needs.
  • Serve as a representative of the Cambridge Office of Early Childhood with CPS and community based groups.
  • Keep abreast of Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care and Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education policy as it relates to behavioral health, special education and Universal Pre-K, P-3 initiatives.  As well as Federal IDEA regulations, IEP and IFSP processes and procedures.
  • Maintain a commitment to ensuring anti-racism, equity, and inclusion are incorporated into every aspect of the work.
  • Other duties may be assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Experience and Education:

  • Minimum of 3 years of experience working in early intervention, special education or other related fields.
  • Bachelor’s Degree required, Master’s Degree preferred.
  • Experience with early childhood practice, policy, and systems.
  • Experience working with families with behavior, academic and mental health needs.
  • Experience working in an urban setting and with diverse groups.

 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  • Knowledge of Federal IDEA regulations, IEP and IFSP processes and procedures.
  • Demonstrated leadership qualities, cultural competency, and interpersonal skills necessary to work effectively and collaboratively with diverse groups.
  • Strong organizational skills.
  •  Strong presentation and facilitation skills with demonstrated experience convening committees and workgroups.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  •  Excellent technological skills to create efficient systems of communication.
  • Knowledge of the Cambridge community is an asset.
  • The City of Cambridge’s workforce, like the community it serves, is diverse.   Applicants must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.

 PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS, WORKING CONDITIONS, WORK FLEXIBILITY AND ACCOMODATIONS:

  • Standard office environment. Fluorescent lighting and air conditioning. Some offices may be carpeted. Moderate noise level.
  • Ability to access, input and retrieve information from a computer.
  • Ability to answer phones and maintain multiple files and ability to lift a minimum of at least 10 pounds.
  • Ability to travel throughout the City of Cambridge to various meetings, etc.
  • This position may be eligible for hybrid work under the City’s Telework Policy depending on operational needs.

    Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.