NKCES - Mental Health/SEL Regional Specialists (NKCAE)

Mental Health/SEL Regional Specialists - NKCAE (100% Level of Effort)

Job Summary: Each Mental Health/SEL Regional Specialist provides district-facing coaching, technical assistance, and professional learning that strengthen implementation of NKCAE's comprehensive three-tiered public health framework. Together, the two specialists ensure responsive regional coverage across all 23 participating districts.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide coaching and technical assistance to district multidisciplinary teams on universal mental health promotion, social and emotional learning, substance-use prevention, early identification, and coordinated intervention practices.
• Deliver and coordinate evidence-informed professional learning for educators, administrators, counselors, school psychologists, social workers, school nurses, and other student-support personnel.
• Assist districts in using needs-assessment findings and resource maps to strengthen local action plans, protocols, and referral pathways.
• Support implementation of staff mental health literacy, student connectedness, trusted-adult access, family navigation, and appropriate help-seeking strategies.
• Facilitate communities of practice and share effective strategies, tools, and lessons across participating districts.
• Collaborate with the LEA Project Manager and community partners to identify service gaps and strengthen Tier 2 and Tier 3 coordination; do not provide clinical treatment outside the professional scope of the position.
• Document coaching, technical assistance, training participation, implementation barriers, and follow-up needs.
• Travel regionally and perform related duties as assigned by the Project Director or designee.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or higher in education, school counseling, social work, psychology, public health, or a closely related field preferred.
• Appropriate Kentucky certification, license, or demonstrated professional qualifications relevant to the assigned responsibilities.
• Experience supporting school-aged youth and collaborating with school-based teams.
• Experience with MTSS, school mental health, SEL, prevention, trauma-informed practices, or professional learning preferred.

Key Competencies

• Evidence-informed coaching and adult learning.
• Knowledge of three-tiered school mental health and prevention systems.
• Relationship building with district staff and community partners.
• Ability to adapt support to differing urban, suburban, and rural district contexts.

Terms of Employment

Reports To and Evaluated by: Project Director, NKCAE

Department: Learning and Empowerment

Position Type: Full-time Exempt

Salary: Based on rank and experience in accordance with the NKCES Salary Schedule

Terms of Employment: 220 Days