| Location | Pasadena, CA |
| Salary | $84,580–$105,725 Per Year |
Program Coordinator I (Office of the Young Child - Mental Health Consultation Program)
Salary
$84,580.00 - $105,725.00 Annually
Location
Pasadena City Hall, CA
Job Type
2025 - REGULAR FULLTIME 40+ HRS A WK
Job Number
27-061
Department
City Manager
Division
City Management-Admin.
Opening Date
11/05/2026
Closing Date
11/19/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
The City of Pasadena is currently seeking a Program Coordinator I who will work directly with Early Care and Education professionals, children, and families in the cities of Pasadena, Altadena, and Sierra Madre to provide targeted mental health consultation services to young children exhibiting social-emotional challenges. The Program Coordinator I will conduct weekly classroom observations in Early Care and Education (ECE) settings and lead focused debrief sessions with educators, children, and families. The Program Coordinator I will also conduct training with Early Care and Education professionals to meet the complex behavioral and emotional needs of young children.
The current vacancy is in the Office of the Young Child under the City Managers Office.
IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate for this position will possess expertise in early childhood mental health consultation or family support to manage the administrative and programmatic operations of the Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Program, including conducting classroom observations and using findings to support staff, children, and families. Ideally, the successful candidate will also possess a Masters degree in psychology, social work, counseling or a related field with at least one year of experience in a clinical setting.
A licensed mental health professional is desired, but not required.
This is a limited term, grant-funded position with current funding to October 2028. Current and future employment is dependent on available funding.
Essential Functions
The major responsibilities of this position are listed below. For more detailed information, please review the job description.
Plans, organizes, directs and evaluates the daily operations of the Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Program; conducts classroom observations to assess classroom culture, daily routines, parent, staff and peer relationships, transitions, challenging behaviors and uses findings to support staff, child and family.
Partners with consultees to support ongoing communication with caregivers about mental health, behavioral health, or developmental concerns related to their infant or young child.
Develops written intervention strategies using a team approach to assist staff with positive behavior-support strategies to promote infants' and young children's optimal social-emotional development.
Provides group and individual training on overall social and emotional wellness with specific topics related to infant and early childhood development, trauma-informed care, attachment, self-care, and other related topics.
Evaluates program needs and develops an effective program; develops procedures within areas of responsibility and instruction materials to assist in accomplishing program goals.
Develops and/or facilitates trainings and workshops on a range of early childhood mental health topics for consultation, such as typical development, social and emotional skills, problem solving, and preventing or managing challenging behaviors through co-regulation skills.
Develops a mental health consultation model that is strength-based, culturally-affirming, and trauma-informed.
Conducts consistent and ongoing consultation meetings/conversations, observations, assessments, and other consultative/therapeutic activities; as assigned performs special tasks involved in responding to an emergency event
Uses a framework of promotion, prevention, and early intervention to promote mental health and resilience and prevent behavioral problems.
Demonstrates sensitivity to linguistic, cultural, social, economic, individual, and role differences among the infants, young children, and families served.
Develops effective public participation strategies and activities and establishes effective working relationships with community groups or representatives, or related agencies; makes presentations to community groups or participates on committees and task forces to interpret/exchange information and to assure cooperation in achieving goals.
Performs activities necessary to facilitate development of City and community partnerships and collaborative efforts; provides staff support to community-based planning coalitions and committees.
Prepares analytical papers, publications, newsletters, planning documents and administrative reports; assists in the development of goals, objectives, policies and procedures.
Conducts needs assessments, research and analyzes statistical and other data; makes recommendations on administrative and operational problems, policies and procedures.
Assists in the recruitment and selection of interns and volunteers; represents the City in the community and at interdepartmental, interagency and professional meetings.
Qualification Guidelines
COMPETENCIES
The following list represents the core competencies needed for success in this position.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Any combination of education and/or experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for acceptable job performance would qualify. Example combinations include Bachelors degree in social work, child and family studies, early education, public health or closely related field and two years of professional experience in social work, behavioral health, or closely related field serving the infant and early childhood population.
Desired Qualifications
SELECTION PROCESS
The selection process may consist of a training and experience evaluation, interview panel, department-level interviews.
VACANCY INFORMATION
There is currently one vacancy in the City Managers Office. The resulting eligibility list from this recruitment may be used to fill this vacancy and similar vacancies in the future.
Candidates selected for this position are subject to a one-year probationary work period.
Special Requirements
Must have or obtain a Class C California drivers license and a satisfactory driving record, as they may be required for some assignments.
Retirement:
The City of Pasadena contracts with the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) to offer a defined benefits program for eligible employees.
"New" CalPERS members are subject to the provisions of the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) and receive the following benefit formula: 2% at 62
"Classic" members of CalPERS receive the following benefit formula: 2.5% at 55
Deferred Compensation:*
The City offers a 457(b) deferred compensation plan to help employees save for their retirement and supplement their CalPERS pension. Employees can defer salary with pre-tax or Roth after-tax deductions.
Health Insurance: *
The City contracts with CalPERS to offer several comprehensive health plans that include Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans and Preferred Provider Organization (PPO).
Other Benefits include: *
01
What is your highest level of education achieved?
02
What best describes your years of professional experience working with the infant and early childhood population (children ages 0-5) in early childhood settings?
03
In 200 words or less, describe your professional experience working with the infant and early childhood population (children ages 0-5) in early childhood settings. Your response must include your title, dates of employment, duties performed, and name of agency where the work was performed.
04
Are you fluent in English and Spanish?
Required Question
Employer City of Pasadena
Address 100 N. Garfield Ave., Rm S135
P. O. Box 7115
Pasadena, California, 91109-7215
Phone (626) 744-4366
(626) 744-4366