Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Clinical Associate Consultant

YMCA of San Diego County•San Diego, CA

11d•$30 - $36•Hybrid

About The Position

The Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) Clinical Associate Consultant is a fully integrated staff role dedicated to promoting the social and emotional development of children from birth through age eight. This role works directly with parents, caregivers, and childcare providers to deliver evidence-informed behavioral consultation rooted in reflective, relationship-based practices tailored to individual needs. Drawing on clinical training, the IECMH Clinical Associate Consultant supports the case conceptualization and build strong partnerships with caregiving adults. Through these relationships, this role helps caregivers gain insight into children’s needs and develop individualized support plans and intervention strategies. As part of a multidisciplinary team within the Mental and Behavioral Health Continuum of Care, the role focuses on strengthening adult capacities to nurture healthy child development. This pre-licensed position may allow candidates to accrue supervised hours toward California licensure in accordance with Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) requirements. Aligned with the Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development’s model, it is a staff role, not an independent contractor or external consultant. Learn more about YMCA Community Support Services programs CLICK HERE For more on Employee Perks, click on this link: Employee Benefits | YMCA of San Diego County (ymcasd.org)

Requirements

Master’s Degree in Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, Social Work (ASW) or Professional Clinical Counselor is required
A minimum of three (3) years of experience in any of the following or a combination thereof:
Direct service or case management with young children and their families
Working in early childhood settings, such as early education, home visiting, family support programs
Coaching, training, or consultation provided to early childhood professionals
Application of knowledge of early childhood systems, developmental milestones, and community resources
Working with children—including those with developmental disabilities—adolescents, and families with a variety of experiences
Professional experience in early childhood environments such as childcare centers, preschools, Head Start/Early Head Start programs, home visiting, or family childcare settings, with emphasis on the social and emotional development of children
Registration as an Associate with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences required
Strong understanding of infant and early childhood mental health, social-emotional development, and behavior support strategies
Ability to support families, childcare providers, and staff in emotionally challenging circumstances with empathy and professionalism
Excellent verbal, written, and listening skills for interacting effectively with children, families, coworkers, and community partners
Strong collaboration skills for navigating complex systems and working with community partners and interdisciplinary teams
Strong interpersonal, time management, and organizational skills; detail-oriented and dependable.
Self-motivated, proactive, and flexible; able to work independently while navigating shifting priorities and minimal supervision
Self-aware and open to feedback; engages in reflective practice and continuous learning
Ability to work respectfully and effectively with individuals from all backgrounds and communities
Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and capable of maintaining organized, professional documentation
Ability to respond to emergencies, lift 25–50 pounds, and participate in physical group activities; must sit at a computer for extended periods
Flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends to support trainings, events, or presentations as needed
Licensing, state law and our government funders are required that all staff (hybrid, remote, or onsite) within YMCA San Diego County are fingerprinted, prior to reporting to work, and include subsequent arrest notifications
CPR/AED, and First Aid Certification, must include Adult and Child/Infant, within 30 days of hire, and must be from one of the following certifying organizations: American Red Cross, American Heart Association, or American Safety and Health Institute
Negative TB test results obtained within the past one year, prior to first day, and annually thereafter, as required
Exclusion and Debarment checks prior to first day and monthly thereafter

Nice To Haves

Must have access to reliable transportation to travel regularly throughout San Diego County
Occasional in-state and out-of-state travel

Responsibilities

Provide evidence-based IECMH consultation at child/family, classroom, and program levels, following YMCA’s workflow, caseload expectations, and timelines
Conduct social and emotional assessments, screenings, and observations in natural settings to inform individualized support plans
Collaborate with families and early care providers to design, implement, and monitor strategies that respond to individual needs and promote holistic child development (birth–age 8)
Educate and support caregivers and staff on child development, mental health, and treatment planning, including guidance on selecting quality early learning settings
Facilitate workshops and trainings for families and providers to strengthen community-wide understanding and application of IECMH best practices
Build and maintain warm, collaborative relationships with families, providers, and community partners to foster trust and engagement
Participate in reflective practice, case consultation, and cross-departmental collaboration to ensure continuity of care and program integration
Maintain accurate, timely documentation and track program data to monitor outcomes, meet grant deliverables, and support quality improvement
Engage in professional development, share learnings with the team, and participate in outreach events to promote YMCA Youth & Family Services programs
Contribute to program development by fostering a collaborative, adaptable team dynamic that responds to evolving community needs
Other duties as assigned