Developmental Specialist

You Thrive Florida•Pierson, FL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Developmental Specialist provides training and technical assistance to Education staff on children’s development and special needs, and supports appropriate classroom strategies and interventions for children with suspected or diagnosed disabilities, including children receiving Tier Services and children with an LEA IEP. The role also supports the Mental Health Manager, Education Manager, and Senior Program Manager. The position works with children and families across Head Start facilities in Hernando, Sumter, and/or Volusia counties, with occasional travel to other counties. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Special Education, varying exceptionalities, or a related field.
Three years of experience in special education programs working with children with special needs.
Valid Florida driver’s license and insurability under the company’s current carrier.
Meet applicable federal, state, and local legal requirements and background checks or clearances for working with children.
First Aid and CPR certified.
Ability to arrive at work daily and on time and work with limited direction.
Knowledge of organizational methods and ability to complete work accurately.
Effective oral and written communication skills.
Ability to establish effective working relationships, particularly with parents and children.
Ability to analyze and interpret data and human and family needs.
Ability to operate a personal computer and work with children.
Knowledge of early childhood issues and community programs and resources.
Ability to maintain child and parent confidentiality and to be reliable, responsible, and accountable.
Ability to perform the position’s physical demands, including prolonged sitting and standing; frequent walking, squatting, reaching, bending, driving, and light lifting or carrying up to 15 pounds; occasional pushing, pulling, kneeling, balancing, and lifting or carrying up to 50 pounds; and occasional active play with children.
Ability to get up from a seated position on the floor or a low chair without hesitation.

Nice To Haves

Experience in preschool or primary settings.

Responsibilities

Coordinate and participate in early and ongoing screenings according to Head Start Performance Standard timelines; accurately score and enter results in ChildPlus.net.
Arrange parent conferences to discuss screening results and obtain consent for referrals to Child Find, FDLRS, or the LEA for further evaluations.
Participate in case review meetings to discuss children’s concerns and screening results and determine whether support services or referrals are appropriate.
Inform parents about due process rights, procedural safeguards, Child Find and FDLRS, the school district ESE continuum of services, and developmental resources.
Provide parent support and written strategies or interventions for use at home.
Maintain detailed case notes in ChildPlus.net and submit reports, documents, and files as directed.
Initiate and complete referral packets for Child Find, FDLRS, or LEA referrals.
Attend Project Spotlights, staff and parent conferences, service area meetings, and MDATs as needed.
Deliver, pick up, and maintain accurate Lending Library records for materials that support children receiving developmental services.
Collaborate and consult with teaching staff; conduct classroom observations, monitoring, and modeling; and track progress for children receiving inclusion services.
Conduct home visits as needed and help classroom teachers provide home activities that support children’s development.
Review classroom individualization plans for children receiving developmental services and help teachers implement support services and LEA IEPs and develop activities to supplement lesson plans.
Inform the Mental Health Manager when supplies, materials, or equipment are needed to meet children’s special needs.
Assist with or lead parent and staff trainings and participate in center and classroom activities, parent meetings, and annual parent activities as requested.
Act as an advocate and role model for Head Start families and assist with recruiting children for the program.
Assist with developing and implementing the annual training plan, including pre-service, in-service, T/TA, and ongoing training requirements.
Maintain confidentiality of client, staff, and agency information and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers and outside contacts.
Organize and prioritize assignments as directed and participate in community activities that enhance Head Start programs.
Participate in ongoing monitoring, Community Assessment, and Self-Assessment, and perform related functions.
Participate in regular safety, storm, and fire drills.
Follow Head Start, You Thrive Florida, and applicable federal, state, and local policies, procedures, regulations, laws, standards, notices, and directions.
Perform additional duties as assigned by a supervisor, management staff, program director, or You Thrive Florida management staff.