PROJECT BASIC SPECIALIST

Must possess educational skills including educational psychology, methods of classroom instruction, classroom management, community relations, and public speaking. Must possess a strong professional orientation to mental health education. Must possess basic knowledge of counseling theories and techniques. Ability to design, develop, implement, and evaluate mental health education programs for elementary school children. Ability to express ideas clearly in both verbal and written form. Ability to work effectively within school structure with teachers, parents, and administrators. Basic knowledge of communication, problem-solving, and coping skills.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

1. Assist in the organization, planning, and implementation of Project BASIC in the assigned school(s).

2. Locate, select, and develop resources needed for Project BASIC.

3. At the beginning of each school year, complete a face-to-face introductory session with teachers at the assigned school(s), explaining the Project BASIC program and teacher coaching process.

4. Complete a Needs Assessment and Coaching agreement with at least one teacher at each assigned school.

5. Develop a School Climate Enhancement Project with signed approval from the Principal(s) and carry-out the project during the course of the school year.

6. In coordination with school principal/administration, schedule and present classroom instruction on social and emotional literacy and skills, using mental health curriculum, for grades K-3, per grant scope.

7. As appropriate, provide individual and/or small group support for students in order to improve social-emotional skills, teacher consultations in Pyramid Model practices, and parent support, per grant scope.

8. In coordination with school administrators, develop system for referring individual students to the Child Development Specialist and to appropriate community agencies.

9. Provide individual student support and referrals to community mental health services for students at-risk of developing a Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED) only after the Child Development Specialist has received a referral for the student and has obtained parent permission.

10. Maintain confidentiality protocols except where protection of a childs welfare or orderly operation of the school are at-risk, per state mandatory reporting laws.

11. Collect and maintain data and information as may be required for reports and program evaluations.

12. Attend conferences, seminars, and other training sessions deemed appropriate by the Regional BASIC Technical Assistance Coordinator and the Director of Grants for School Based Services.

13. Attend team meetings with service providers at the local community mental health center as part of liaison role between the school, referred students, and the center.

14. Other duties as assigned by the Director of Grants for School Based Services. The State TA Coordinator will be available as a resource person to develop training, chair regional staff meetings, correlate monthly contact reports and final year-end evaluations, and to represent the programs

Qualifications

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE Must possess Bachelors Degree in education, social work, or related area. A Masters Degree and some experience in public schools and/or counseling are preferred.

NOTE: This position will work remotely [at the assigned school or two schools] at least four days a week per week following the schools' student calendar, except on holidays, meetings, trainings, illness, etc. Once per week, they will work from home or if space available, from the local Center. Some community work and travel are required. Worktime is forty (40.0) hours per week, ten (10) months per year (Aug 1 through May 31st).