Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant (IECMHC) - SOUTH CAROLINA BASED.
Partners for Early Attuned Relationships (PEAR), a program of SC Infant Mental Health Association (SCIMHA), is hiring a SOUTH CAROLINA BASED CONSULTANT.
Location: Lowcountry region of SC with a preference for candidates in the Charleston area. Position is remote with required in-person visits to early childhood education (ECE) centers. Preferred candidates live within one hour of areas with a high concentration of ECE programs.
About PEAR: SCIMHA's PEAR program is a prevention-based initiative that pairs highly specialized Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultants (MHCs) with the adults who care for children ages 0–5. The program partners with early childhood education (ECE) programs across South Carolina to promote young children's social-emotional well-being, strengthen educator and caregiver capacity, and foster healthy early learning environments.
MHCs work with young children, their families, and the professionals who support them—including childcare providers, teachers, assistant teachers, directors, technical assistance providers, and other caregivers. Drawing on expertise in infant and early childhood development, family systems, trauma-informed care, and relationship-based practice, consultants support children's emotional development, addresses behaviors that adults find challenging, and build the knowledge and confidence of caregivers to nurture secure relationships, emotional regulation, and healthy exploration.
The IECMH Consultant will:
- Provide consultation in early childhood settings to support children’s mental well-being and relationship-based care.
- Partner with educators, caregivers, and families to address behavioral, emotional, and developmental concerns and build adult capacity.
- Facilitate reflective practice, professional development opportunities, and trainings for early childhood staff and community partners.
- Review/conduct needs assessments, develop goal-oriented plans, maintain documentation, and collaborate with local agencies to strengthen supports and services.
- Engage in community outreach to build relationships and increase referrals for IECMH consultation services.
- Perform other duties as assigned to support the goals of the PEAR consultation program.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Consultation and Capacity Building
- Provide infant and early childhood mental health consultation to ECE programs serving children from birth to age five
- Partner with educators, directors, and families to support children’s emotional wellbeing and address behaviors ECE staff find challenging
- Use a strengths-based, reflective, and relationship-centered consultation approach
- Support classroom environments, educator practices, and program-wide strategies that promote mental health and inclusion
Observation, Planning, and Follow-Up
- Observe children, classrooms, and routines to inform consultation goals and strategies
- Collaborate with educators and directors to develop individualized and classroom-level support plans
- Monitor progress, follow up with caregivers and adjust consultation strategies as needed
Professional Development
- Provide coaching, modeling, and reflective support to directors, educators and administrators
- Offer trainings and professional development opportunities related to infant and early childhood mental health and trauma-informed care
Collaboration and Documentation
- Maintain accurate and timely documentation of consultation activities
- Actively participate in supervision and team meetings
- Collaborate with other consultants, supervisors, and community partners across South Carolina
Travel
- Travel to assigned ECE programs, typically within one hour of the consultant’s home office location
- Use reliable transportation for regular in-person visits
Position Requirements:
- Must live in South Carolina.
- Master’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, or related mental health field.
- Minimum 2 years of mental health practice; experience with children 0–5 and their caregivers preferred.
- Clinical background in relational or therapeutic support; experience in reflective supervision preferred.
- Eligible for or working toward Endorsement for Culturally Sensitive, Relationship-Focused Practice Promoting Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health®.
- Experience training or coaching adults.
- Reliable transportation for regular in-person visits.
- Strong computer skills, reliable internet and ability to use virtual platforms (Microsoft Suite, Zoom, etc.).
- Background check required; bilingual candidates desirable.
Work Breakdown:
- On-site consultation at ECE centers & occasional community activities – 55%
- Virtual meetings (supervision, training, consultation) – 20%
- Travel – 15%
- Remote administrative responsibilities – 10%
Characteristics of Success:
The knowledge and capacity to work independently but with a primary orientation and communication practice that is geared for a collaborative, team approach is essential. In order for this program and SCIMHA to be successful in serving young children and families, we are building a team of passionate and knowledgeable professionals who:
- are well-versed in IECMH principles, practices, and system
- are extremely well organized with exceptional skills for planning and follow-through
- have a reflective stance with strong critical thinking
- are sensitive to linguistic, cultural, social, economic, individual and role differences among persons and families served
- are action oriented and solution-focused with initiative; self-motivated and organized
- are comfortable working independently and connecting with team members primarily in virtual capacities
- strongly believe in the power of a team and willing to equally share in the work for a developing program
- will pitch in whole-heartedly no matter the size of the task
Job Type: Full-time
Core Values:
- We are relationship focused.
- We are committed to reflective practice.
- We advocate for fairness and opportunity for all children and their families.
- We are dedicated to continuous improvement and learning.
Other benefits:
- Paid SCIMHA membership and Endorsement fees
- Access to free trainings, webinars, and learning opportunities
- Provision of reflective supervision (unable to provide clinical hours towards independent licensure at this time)
Work Location: Remote with required regular in-person visits to ECE programs and other periodic in-person work activities.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $60,709.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Continuing education credits
- Health insurance
- Mileage reimbursement
- Paid time off
Application Question(s):
- Do you have a Master’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, or related mental health field?
- Where in the low country region are you located?
- Are you located in the Lowcountry region of South Carolina?
Work Location: Remote
