Mental Health Specialist (Mill Creek)

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 the education and tools needed to promote participate success; provide community resources for participants and their families.
The Y is the leading nonprofit committed to strengthening the 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 6:30am-6:30 pm.

KNOWLEDGE:

• Best practice in the area of counseling/guidance programs and strategies that are developmentally appropriate, evidence-based, 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
• Meet educational and experience qualifications established by the Dept of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF).
• Provide documentation of all certification and training requirements established by DCYF, including position prerequisites, current negative TB test, and portable background check.
• 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

MENTAL DEMANDS:

While performing the duties of this job, employees are regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve non-routine and complex problems; may use math and mathematical reasoning; observe and interpret situations; learn and apply new information or skills; perform highly detailed work on multiple, concurrent tasks; work under intensive deadlines with frequent interruptions; and interact with members, staff, volunteers, and others encountered in the course of work, some of whom may be dissatisfied individuals.
Working Conditions: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Typically interaction with others is busy, constant and occasionally interruptive. Work may be demanding at times. May require ability to work irregular hours. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Job descriptions represent a general outline of job duties, functions and qualifications. They are not intended to be comprehensive in nature. In addition, jobs evolve over time and therefore their description may not reflect the precise nature of the position at a given point in time.
The full range of the pay grade for this position is $25.60 - $37.50.

WHAT YOU WILL DO AT THE Y:

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 April 2025

JOB DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conduct small group or individual activities related to behavioral, personal, 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 and 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, and 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.