OBJECTIVES: The Staff, Program – (Clinic) P+ECMH serves a dual role as Mental Health Consultant and Clinician, reporting directly to the Manager, Programs – (Clinic) P+ECMH. This position delivers specialized mental health services to perinatal individuals, Early Care and Education (ECE) program staff, students, and caregivers throughout Manhattan. The role includes providing direct interventions for children ages 0-5 and their families under supervision in Perinatal and Early Childhood Mental Health practices. The incumbent ensures compliance with state regulations and professional standards while fostering a safe, inclusive, and culturally responsive environment for diverse families.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Build and maintain ongoing collaborative relationships with Perinatal and ECE programs across Manhattan to provide mental health consultation.
2. Conduct classroom observations in perinatal and early childhood settings. Guide educators in implementing positive behavior interventions and strategies that promote social-emotional development.
3. Design and deliver professional development sessions for ECE staff on perinatal and early childhood mental health, including trauma-informed practices.
4. Facilitate workshops, groups, and individual support focused on engagement, planning, coordination and Skill-building to foster growth among ECE staff, children, and families.
5. Consult with program staff and families to assess needs and determine appropriate referrals for children requiring additional support, initiate referrals for intensive mental health services when necessary.
6. Complete all required documentation accurately and within established timelines, including treatment plans, progress notes, and assessments in the electronic health record system while maintaining confidentiality.
7. Participate in regular supervision and attend specialized training in perinatal and early childhood mental health to ensure ongoing professional growth.
8. Provide therapeutic services—including individual play therapy, family therapy, and group therapy— as clinically indicated to pregnant and postpartum parents, children ages 0–5, and their caregivers, both in person and via teletherapy.
9. Provide case management and crisis intervention as needed to ensure continuity of care.
10. Maintain a flexible work schedule, including evenings, to accommodate after-school appointments.

SPECIFIC SKILLS:

• Expertise in evidence-based strategies supporting mental health in young children.
• Strong group facilitation and training skills for workshops and professional development.
• Proficiency in therapeutic interventions (play therapy, family therapy, groups therapy).
• Skilled in crisis response, de-escalation techniques, and emergency intervention.
• Proficiency in teletherapy platforms and virtual engagement tools.
• Ability to deliver culturally responsive services to diverse populations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for client and team interactions.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Excellent work ethic
• Commitment to working in a mission-driven organization.
• Demonstrated personal ethics and values.
• Cross-team collaboration and cooperation.
• Team player who works well with a diverse group of people.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree and licensure in Social Work or Mental Health Counseling (MSW, LMSW, LCSW, MHC, LMHC).
• In-depth understanding of perinatal and early childhood development (birth to age five).
• Experience providing therapy to perinatal and early childhood populations.
• Strong knowledge of evidence-based practices, crisis intervention, and telehealth delivery.
• Proficiency in a second language (Spanish or Mandarin preferred).

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS: Salary commensurate with experience. Northside offers a competitive salary and benefits package.

About Northside

Northside Center for Child Development serves more than 5,500 children and families across New York City each year through high-quality, outcome-driven behavioral health, early childhood education, and enrichment services. With over $34 million in annual funding, Northside provides the comprehensive support children and families need to overcome adversity, build resilience, and pursue their dreams.

Founded in 1946 in Harlem, Northside has been a cornerstone of the community for eight decades, leading the way in integrating education and mental health to support children’s development. Several of Northside’s innovative programs were the first of their kind in Harlem, setting standards of care that continue to influence social service agencies throughout the United States today.

Northside’s founders, Drs. Kenneth B. and Mamie Phipps Clark, were renowned, pioneering psychologists whose groundbreaking research was instrumental in the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education landmark Supreme Court decision that declared school segregation unconstitutional. Their belief in the worth, dignity, and potential of every child continues to guide Northside’s mission and inspire its work today. Northside is driven by its vision and principle, “Each Child…First Chance.”

For more information on Northside Center for Child Development, please visit www.northsidecenter.org.

COMPENSATION: $77,500 - $87,188