Developmental Specialist 2 - Underfill

State of Nevada•Nevada, NV

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Aging and Disability Services Division (ADSD) is recruiting for a full-time Developmental Specialist 2 position in Carson City, Reno, and Las Vegas, Nevada. This recruitment will be used to underfill positions within the Developmental Specialist series, with advancement to the next level possible after meeting qualifications, satisfactory performance, and with endorsement. This role may fill vacancies in Sierra Regional Center (SRC), Desert Regional Center (DRC), Rural Regional Center (RRC), and Youth Intensive Support Services (YISS). Positions with DRC, SRC, and RRC will involve case management for 45-55 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including Autism, Seizure Disorders, and Cerebral Palsy, who live with family or in community-based supported living arrangements. This role requires strong writing and communication skills, independence, and collaboration within an interdisciplinary team. Responsibilities include developing, coordinating, and monitoring individualized support plans to ensure client goals and safety. Positions in the Children's Services Program (YISS Team) will serve children with dual diagnoses, requiring partnerships with service providers and mental health agencies. YISS team members have smaller caseloads and knowledge of positive behavioral supports and local developmental/mental health services. Travel throughout the Reno/Sparks, Carson City, or Las Vegas areas is required. ADSD values innovation, teamwork, and collaboration, with a mission to empower individuals by providing resources for disabilities and aging, improving quality of life for Nevadans.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in early childhood, special education, human growth and development, psychology, counseling, social work or a closely related field
One year of professional experience providing developmental, special education, intervention, treatment-oriented, child/adult care, and/or instructional guidance services for individuals who have or may be at risk for developmental delays, developmental disabilities, intellectual disabilities or related conditions
OR one year of experience as a Developmental Specialist I in Nevada State service
OR an equivalent combination of education at or above a Bachelor's degree and experience as described above.
Strong writing and communication skills.
Ability to work independently with minimal training.
Ability to collaborate within an interdisciplinary team.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of positive behavioral supports.
Knowledge of local developmental and mental health services.

Responsibilities

Develop, coordinate, and monitor the implementation of individual's support plans to facilitate achievement of identified goals for the specific developmental and behavioral management needs of each individual served in the least restrictive environment possible.
Provide case management services.
Be responsible for needs assessment.
Coordinate and monitor supports.
Supervise the activities of supported living arrangement providers.
Provide early intervention diagnostic and treatment services and case management for children under the age of three who are medically fragile and/or exhibit developmental delays.
Develop and implement service plans with families to remediate delays and facilitate development of social, motor, communication, cognition, self-help, and behavioral skills in home and community settings.
Function as a service coordinator to assist families with accessing services and resources in a clinic and/or the community.
Provide consultation and guidance to family specialists and collaborate with community organizations and agencies to share resources and expertise in providing training to families of infants under the age of one regarding best practices in the care of infants to encourage optimal child growth and development.
Assess individuals using appropriate assessment tools to evaluate and determine eligibility for services, program planning, and individual and family needs; establish a base line and document progress in meeting objectives.
Develop treatment and service plans by interviewing the individual, family members, and care providers; identify goals based on individual/family objectives and available resources; review client’s social history, report observations and recommend changes; remediate deficits and provide intervention strategies; assist care providers in learning behavioral techniques to enhance the care provider/client relationship.
Implement treatment and service plans to support and strengthen family/care provider functioning; evaluate with the family/care provider the appropriateness of desired outcomes of the treatment/service plan and the effectiveness of the plan in meeting the client, family, and care provider needs; review plan with client and family/care provider and revise as needed.
Monitor client and family progress.
Identify, obtain, coordinate, monitor and evaluate resources and services to meet client and family/care provider needs.
Assist clients in obtaining financial assistance.
Coordinate treatment and services with outside agency service providers.
Monitor work sites, school, and community-based placements.
Advocate for the client to ensure goals are accomplished and prepare and submit reports to courts and other agencies.
Develop external resources required to achieve identified treatment/service objectives.
Coordinate and facilitate services between agency, client, family, and community organizations.
Provide information to providers regarding agency policy, procedure, and guidelines.
Identify funding sources and participate in writing grant proposals to expand services.
Participate on program review teams, provide technical assistance, prepare federal and State reports, and meet with professionals in local communities to develop program awareness and partnerships.
Conduct home visits.
Negotiate and write contracts for housing, in-home and other services.
Monitor providers to ensure services are provided.
Monitor quality of the living environment.
Train care providers as necessary.
Review billing forms for accuracy of services provided.
Provide crisis intervention including responding to emergency calls.
Search for missing clients.
Report instances of neglect and abuse to appropriate authorities.
Coordinate emergency services such as respite.
Restrain client or utilize appropriate behavioral and environmental controls for clients who may be hostile, combative, aggressive or assaultive.
Follow established protocols and policy to protect clients, staff, family and others potentially at risk due to client behavior or family dynamics.
Consult with clinicians, medical personnel, vendors, contractors, school districts, other public agencies, community organizations, employers, and professionals in the legal system to exchange information.
Serve as motivator and negotiator to arrange and resolve service delivery issues.
Develop training curriculum regarding early childhood development, parenting skills and developmentally appropriate activities.
Organize training and present information to clients and family/care providers regarding methods to achieve developmental objectives in the treatment/service plan.
Develop and implement activities and therapeutic techniques.
Provide feedback, monitor treatment plans, and document client progress.
Function as primary or co-therapist in group therapy sessions and other treatment groups offered by the agency.
Assist family/care providers in learning behavioral techniques.
Guide care provider participation in treatment/service programs and meet with families/care providers to discuss client progress.
Prepare a variety of written reports related to the evaluation of clients and therapeutic services provided.
Document case notes in client files.
Provide information to treatment/service team members, other professionals, family members, care providers, and administrators regarding current evaluations and client progress.
Prepare and submit forms and documentation for billing purposes as required.
Supervise lower-level professional, paraprofessional and support staff, teachers, university students and volunteers as assigned.
Perform related duties as assigned.
Continue to receive training and gain experience in performing the duties described in the series concept.