Developmental Specialist I (Educational)

UPMC•Pittsburgh, PA

10d

About The Position

The Developmental Specialist I works in a therapeutic nursery and preschool serving children ages 18 months to 5 years who have experienced trauma and display behaviors requiring more support than is typically available in childcare or school settings. The Matilda Theiss Therapeutic Nursery & Preschool provides multidisciplinary support for children ages 2–5 in their social-emotional and educational development. Teams use developmentally appropriate techniques and include one educator and two mental health workers serving approximately 12 students. Teams receive clinical oversight from a master-level clinician and educational support from a lead educator. The role focuses on educational programming and supporting children’s development and kindergarten readiness. The specialist plans and implements lessons and curriculum, assesses and documents children’s progress, communicates with families, and collaborates with classroom, clinical, and administrative colleagues. The position also requires timely, accurate records and adherence to educational, regulatory, and partnership expectations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, Child Development, Elementary Education, or Early Childhood Special Education.
Desire to work with young children and ability to sensitively respond to their needs.
Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
Alignment with the core values of UPMC.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
Comprehensive Crisis Management (CCMC).
Act 31 Child Abuse Reporting with renewal.
Act 33 with renewal.
Act 34 with renewal.
Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in a child care setting is preferred.
Coursework in early childhood education.
Experience with children aged 0–5, supporting kindergarten readiness, and creating engaging lessons.

Responsibilities

Complete all other duties as assigned.
Complete lesson planning and implementation, kindergarten-readiness activities, and curriculum implementation.
Complete educational assessments, parent conferences, educational Snap Shots, educational trackers, and other educational expectations within identified timelines.
Adhere consistently to educational, regulatory, and partnership expectations; participate in quality-improvement projects and help maintain inspection and audit readiness.
Assess, record, and communicate clients’ developmental progress, using assessment information to inform care, educational instruction and interventions, and guardians about progress.
Complete required documentation within assigned timelines and maintain current, accurate client and program records meeting educational, regulatory, and partnership standards.
Communicate regularly with families and provide necessary support; communicate identified family needs to the treatment team.
Participate in assigned educational meetings, unit meetings, staff meetings, treatment team meetings, and supervisory sessions.
Report pertinent clinical and non-clinical, including educational, needs or concerns to appropriate classroom, clinical, and administrative leadership.
Maintain ongoing communication with educational leads and supervisor.