Job/Program Description
IFR seeks to hire a bilingual (English/Spanish) mental health professional to join our Sana Sana team and work in a culturally driven setting to provide consultation service. Services are provided at IFR and at other co-located school-based settings.
Sana Sana is a comprehensive childcare and school-based mental health consultation and services collaboration between IFR, childcare centers, family childcare providers and public elementary and middle schools in San Francisco. This program promotes early intervention and builds community resiliency, offering services that address the unique developmental, behavioral, and cultural needs of young children (0-14) and their families. Sana Sana ensures the well-being of children, families, and teachers by enhancing supportive relationships and fostering positive learning environments.
The Sana Sana team provides mental health consultation in preschool and provides services to all ten of Mission Neighborhood Center's Head Start Programs, and various elementary and middle schools in the Mission and Outer Mission Districts. Services focus on reducing barriers to learning by enhancing the capacity of teachers, administrators, and parents to respond to the social-emotional and behavioral needs of the child and his/her family. Extensive training is provided on Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation through IFR as well as through the city’s 9-month Training Institute for new Mental Health Consultants Citywide.
Essential Job Duties are but are not limited to the following
- Provide mental health consultation to teachers and staff
- Provide classroom and child observations and interventions
- Facilitate weekly consultation team meetings for each assigned site
- Provide direct mental health interventions to children and families
- Provide case management services, linkages and referrals
- Facilitate regular parent groups
- Develop and conduct training programs for the childcare community and the school communities
- Provide regular documentation of activities and findings
- Attend all required administrative program and clinical meetings
- Participate in all outcome and evaluation efforts
- Participate in IFR-sponsored community events
Required Skills
- Bilingual in Spanish/English is required
- Licensed preferred in a behavioral health field
- Experience and extensive knowledge of mental health practices with preschool and school-age children and their families; two-year’s experience working in a school setting providing both direct mental health services and mental health consultation preferred
- Experience working with low-income and multi-cultural communities; sensitivity to socioeconomic and psychosocial issues affecting communities of color
- Ability to work within a strong team unit
- Bicultural preferred but not required
Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations
- Master’s degree in behavioral sciences, social work, or related field; licensed clinician preferred
- Must be CA licensed or license eligible (registered with the Board of Behavioral Sciences or Board of Psychology)
- Must pass and maintain annual tuberculosis test
- Must pass Department of Justice Fingerprint screening
- Complete annual recurrent online training
- Must provide proof of COVID-19 Vaccination upon hire (reasonable accommodation requests will be considered)
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of that which an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Working with children and youth involves extensive physical activity, mental alertness and enthusiasm
- Good general health, physical stamina and emotional stability are essential
- Ability to hear within normal range and communicate effectively in person or via telephone in a manner that can be understood by those with whom the person is speaking, including a diverse population
- Physical ability to sit at the keyboard for long periods of time and manual dexterity to operate word processing equipment with skill, speed and accuracy
- Ability to move quickly to address emergency or potentially dangerous situations
- Ability to move about the building and the organization as needed
- Ability to use public and/or private modes of transportation. Duties are office based, but travel to various offsite venues is required
- Must be able to work outdoors in various types of weather conditions
- On occasion, must lift up to 35 lbs
Compensation and Benefits²
This is a full-time, exempt position with benefits; the salary range is determined on relevant qualifications and experience. The salary for Mental Health Specialist I is $72,500 - $81,500, and the salary for Mental Health Specialist II is $78,000 - $88,000.
To Apply
To apply, submit your cover letter and resume in a Word or PDF format to: (please note, a resume without a cover letter will not be considered) Please put Mental Health Specialist/Consultant in the subject line.
Human Resources Department
Instituto Familiar de la Raza, Inc.
Instituto Familiar de la Raza is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, culture, age, disability, gender, or sexual orientation. People of color are encouraged to apply.
² Please note that IFR reserves the right to change its benefits and contributions at any time at its sole discretion.
