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