POSITION EMPHASIS: This position supports NEA’s strategic objective to focus the energy and resources of its 3 million members toward the promotion of public education and professional excellence by providing professional expertise within the Educator Support Professional Quality (ESPQ) department, and across the Center for Great Public Schools (CGPS), to support the social, emotional, and mental health needs of students and educators (including teachers, education support professionals, specialized instructional support personnel, etc.).
POSITION SUMMARY: This position provides high-level, specialized expertise in the area of social-emotional learning, trauma-informed practices, and school-based mental health supports that advance NEA’s mission and CGPS priorities. Essential functions of this position include examining, developing, and promoting policies, programs, and practices that build school systems’ capacity to effectively address issues of student and educator mental health and well-being. The incumbent works to advance policies and practices that create safe and inclusive learning and working environments for students and educators. The employee curates and designs professional resources, and facilitates professional learning experiences to raise awareness and understanding of the impact of health and well-being (e.g. trauma, grief, etc.) on student learning and behavior. The incumbent creates learning resources for school leaders and educators on trauma-informed pedagogies and supports that build resiliency and meet the academic and social-emotional needs of students. Other essential functions include compiling policy solutions and legislative initiatives at the federal, state, and local level that support approaches for preventing, recognizing, and responding to childhood trauma. The employee synthesizes national research on school-based mental health programs and writes research-to-policy and research-to-practice briefs. The incumbent serves as a subject-matter expert by providing technical assistance, such as research, policies, program models, best practices, and other evidence-based content to NEA departments, field offices, affiliates, and members to help build organizational capacity to coordinate and deliver resources and services that support students and educators. The employee serves as a liaison to NEA partner organizations and coordinates work and initiatives with national, state, and local entities on issues and concerns pertaining to public health crises and traumatic experiences affecting students and school staff (e.g. pandemic-related stress, gun violence, racial injustice, natural disasters, family separation, abuse, newly arriving children and families). The work requires collaboration throughout the NEA enterprise, but is accomplished under the leadership of the Director of ESPQ. To carry out these responsibilities, the incumbent uses a computer and/or laptop, a variety of NEA-endorsed technology, and travels frequently.
IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT: The position involves creative and analytical thinking; oral and written communication skills; meticulous attention to detail; human relations skills; use of computer keyboard; sitting, standing or walking for long periods; stooping, bending, and reaching; and stamina to work long hours and ability to travel by various conveyances, e.g., automobile, plane.
Required Skills
MINIMUM EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: A Master’s degree in Education, School Psychology, Social Work, Public Health, Community Health or other disciplines related to the position (Ph.D. or Ed.D. preferred) or an equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge or skills may be obtained. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Five years professional experience with progressive responsibility working to advance policy, programs, and/or practices for addressing trauma-affected students and social-emotional learning in schools. Demonstrated experience developing and delivering effective, engaging, and research-based trainings and presentations to education professionals on school-based mental health supports. Previous work experience coordinating or delivering robust adult training programs; creating learning products and resources; and/or building and maintaining partnerships with key organizations that focus on transforming schools into trauma-sensitive working and learning environments. OTHER REQUIREMENTS: Demonstrated subject-matter expertise on social-emotional learning, childhood trauma, resiliency, grief, and/or mental health conditions. Sample work products (i.e., publications, presentations, trainings, etc.) that demonstrate technical skills and content expertise may be required at time of interview. Must be able to occasionally work extended hours on evenings and weekends. Frequent travel required (21-45 overnights per year).
Required Experience
SELECTION CRITERIA: TIER 1 (ESSENTIAL): Demonstrated broad knowledge of childhood trauma and/or trauma-related behavior issues impacting classrooms and schools. An in-depth understanding of exemplary program models, coordinated activities, and/or shared resources and supports designed to address trauma-affected students and educators. Extensive knowledge of social-emotional learning and/or school-based mental health supports that serve diverse students, educators, and families. Demonstrated expertise in building cooperative partnerships with state affiliates and other key organizations that elevate awareness of and advance trauma-sensitive policy, programs, and/or practices. Experience facilitating trainings germane to student and educator health and well-being. Demonstrated flexibility to simultaneously handle multiple and complex tasks under stringent timeframes and changing priorities/conditions. Demonstrated experience working independently and collaboratively in a team environment and with diverse groups. Demonstrated ability to synthesize research and write articles, talking points, reports, and/or produce learning products that inform or persuade targeted audiences or promote action to address health issues in schools. Ability to lead, plan, organize and coordinate team efforts. Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, collaboration, facilitation, and presentation skills. Successful references. TIER 2 (SIGNIFICANT): Knowledge of public school systems and labor unions. Knowledge of effective adult learning principles, online learning, virtual engagement platforms and strategies. TIER 3 (DESIRABLE): Knowledge of collaborative efforts between NEA affiliates and their local school districts that promote social emotional learning and trauma-informed approaches.
Interested candidates should apply online at www.nea.org/jobs.
NEA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER AND ENCOURAGES WOMEN, MINORITIES AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES TO APPLY.
MINIMUM EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: A Master’s degree in Education, School Psychology, Social Work, Public Health, Community Health or other disciplines related to the position (Ph.D. or Ed.D. preferred) or an equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge or skills may be obtained. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Five years professional experience with progressive responsibility working to advance policy, programs, and/or practices for addressing trauma-affected students and social-emotional learning in schools. Demonstrated experience developing and delivering effective, engaging, and research-based trainings and presentations to education professionals on school-based mental health supports. Previous work experience coordinating or delivering robust adult training programs; creating learning products and resources; and/or building and maintaining partnerships with key organizations that focus on transforming schools into trauma-sensitive working and learning environments. OTHER REQUIREMENTS: Demonstrated subject-matter expertise on social-emotional learning, childhood trauma, resiliency, grief, and/or mental health conditions. Sample work products (i.e., publications, presentations, trainings, etc.) that demonstrate technical skills and content expertise may be required at time of interview. Must be able to occasionally work extended hours on evenings and weekends. Frequent travel required (21-45 overnights per year).