Description

San Diego State University Research Foundation


Counselor (Post Masters)

US-CA-San Diego

Job ID: 2026-19962
Type: Full-Time Contract
# of Openings: 1
Category: Community/Social Services
SDSU Literacy Center

Overview

This position is budgeted for $34.00 per hour and is non-negotiable.  Established in 1943, the mission of the SDSU Research Foundation (SDSURF) is to support the research objectives of San Diego State University by helping faculty and staff find, obtain, and administer funding for their research and sponsored programs. SDSU achieved its strategic plan goal of becoming an R1, premier public research university in early 2025 furthering discoveries, interventions, and solutions that improve communities and change the world. SDSURF provides the full life cycle of grants services to faculty and staff to further their important work. Our vision is to foster a culture of creativity and collaboration with integrity and respect for individuals that results in the delivery of superior service to support the university's strategic aspirations. Our core values:Service: We are a service organization that strives to provide superior support to the university community to achieve SDSU's goals; we are committed to being professionally competent by setting high standards and working hard to achieve results; and we continually seeking to improve our skills and capabilities by valuing education and professional development. Collaboration: We seek to actively engage with our stakeholders and employees to identify issues and design solutions, build strong relationships grounded in trust, openness, and inclusion and achieve the best results by taking pride in the accomplishments of our colleagues. Innovation: We work towards inspired solutions to improve and adapt to emerging opportunities and challenges, creative ways to streamline and enhance our delivery of services through resourceful and proactive problem solving and strategic use of technology and reduction of obstacles. Respect: We promote a culture where every individual is valued and treated with dignity, we honor open-mindedness toward different viewpoints and ideas and have a genuine appreciation for varied backgrounds, experiences, and ways of thinking. Integrity: We are committed to act with the highest ethical standards, with honesty, integrity, and transparency, provide consistent and accurate information and value and respect all individuals.  The Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (ECMHC) Consultation lead is a hybrid leadership and clinical role responsible for launching, coordinating, and delivering high-quality early childhood mental health consultation services.  This position combines program development and administrative oversight with direct clinical service provision, reflective practice, and relationship-building across early care, education, and community systems.

Responsibilities

ECMHC Administration 20%

• Provide day-to-day coordination and administrative leadership for the ECMHC program.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with early childhood education programs, schools, and community stakeholders.
• Coordinate consultation schedules, service delivery, and communication with partner sites.
• Ensure compliance with applicable regulations, funding requirements, and program standards.
• Support data collection, documentation, reporting, and continuous quality improvement efforts as needed by Center Coordinator/Evaluator
• Contribute to program development, sustainability planning, and expansion efforts.
• Serve as a liaison between the ECMHC program and the broader early childhood and mental health community.
• Participate in relevant local or regional coalitions, workgroups, or networks focused on early childhood well-being.
• Advocate for the integration of mental health principles into early care and education systems.
• Meet regularly with administrative team at HEY.

  Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (Direct Services) 75%

• Provide direct ECMHC services to early childhood educators, childcare providers, and families.
• Conduct classroom and child observations, consultation sessions, and collaborative
• problem-solving.
• Support socialemotional development, behavior regulation, and relational health in early childhood settings.
• Develop consultation plans and recommendations grounded in developmentally
• appropriate, evidence-informed practices.
• Provide coaching and capacity-building to early childhood staff and caregivers.
• Clinical Services (School-Based and/or Private Pay)
• Provide direct clinical services in one to two contracted school settings and/or with
• private pay clients.
• Maintain a caseload consistent with program needs and clinician availability.
• Private pay services are expected to meet a minimum client hourly rate to be negotiated.
• Reflective Practice and Professional Development
• Participate in reflective supervision or reflective consultation groups to support
• professional growth, ethical practice, and sustainability.
• Engage in ongoing professional development related to early childhood mental health, consultation, and clinical practice.

 Other Duties as Assigned 5%

Qualifications



Knowledge & Abilities:

• Demonstrated experience working with young children (birth5), families, and early childhood education settings.
• Experience providing mental health consultation, clinical services, or related supports in early childhood contexts.
• Strong organizational, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Ability to balance administrative leadership with direct clinical work.

 Education & Experience:

• Post-Masters counselors have completed an accredited master's level program in counseling, marriage and family therapy or social work, but need to complete supervised professional experience to be licensed.

 Preferred Qualifications & Special Skills:

• Bilingual English and Spanish preferred

 ADDITIONAL APPLICANT INFORMATIONCandidate must reside in California and live within a commutable distance from SDSU at time of hire.Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on background check results (including a criminal record check).San Diego State University Research Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU Research Foundation provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin or any other categories protected by federal or state law.  Employment decisions are based on an individual's qualifications as they relate to the job under consideration. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every employee has equal access to resources and support. SDSU Research Foundation complies with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California's Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), and other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws including grant or contract terms and conditions related to funded program activities. Further the SDSU Research Foundation maintains a Nondiscrimination Policy that prohibits discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all programs, policies, and practices.  SDSU Research Foundation makes all employment decisions including, but not limited to, applicant screening, hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, benefits, disciplinary actions, and terminations on the basis of merit.

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