Early Learning Support Specialist

Grace Place for Children and Families • Naples, FL

15h • Hybrid

About The Position

The Early Learning Support Specialist provides specialized behavioral, social-emotional, and developmental support to young children, teachers, and families within the Grace Place early learning environment. Reporting to Early Childhood Education Manager and under the licensed supervision of the BCBA/STAR Director, this role supports children enrolled at the Grace Place campus, Family Literacy Expansion sites, and the Grace Place Early Learning Center at Naples Park Elementary. Through early identification, individualized intervention, developmental support, family engagement, and teacher collaboration, the Early Learning Support Specialist helps ensure children are prepared for success in school and beyond.

This position is intentionally distinct from a traditional behavior technician role. While behavioral principles are applied, the scope of the work extends to the whole child supporting communication, social-emotional growth, school readiness, and positive classroom participation. The long-term success of this model depends on consistency, effective communication, and relationship-building.

Requirements

• Minimum of 3 years prior experience working with young children, ideally including children with developmental delays, behavioral needs, or social-emotional challenges, required.
• Must be willing and able to complete the 40-hour BACB-approved RBT coursework and meet eligibility requirements for the RBT certification examination.
• Must participate in the two-year RBT recertification cycle, including 12 hours of professional development per recertification period if certification is required.
• Must maintain all required training through the NCF/STAR learning platform as directed.
• English proficiency required
• Current first aid and CPR certificates.
• Willing to submit to Fingerprinting and Background Checks.
• Meet required DCF training courses, including the completion of necessary continuing education units (CEUs).
• Compliance with Good Moral Character as described by DCF.
• Commitment to supporting the leadership culture of the organization.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Psychology, Special Education, or a related field, preferred.
• Associate's degree or equivalent experience working with young children with developmental delays will be considered.
• Experience in early learning, childcare, or school-based setting preferred.
• Internal candidates with an established working relationship within Grace Place are strongly preferred.
• bilingual preferred.
• additional technology and database skills preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide behavioral, developmental, and social-emotional support services across multiple Grace Place early learning locations, including the main Grace Place campus, Family Literacy Expansion sites, and the Grace Place Early Learning Center at Naples Park Elementary.
• Conduct classroom observations to identify children who may benefit from early intervention, additional support, or referral to community resources.
• Support children's language and communication development, peer interactions, emotional regulation, coping strategies, and classroom participation.
• Assist children experiencing transitions, shyness, anxiety, withdrawal, toilet training challenges, or early academic learning difficulties.
• Implement behavior support strategies, intervention plans, and skill-building activities as directed by the supervising BCBA.
• Collect accurate data on child progress, behavior, attendance at sessions, and intervention implementation; maintain organized records.
• Collaborate regularly with classroom teachers and administrators to share observations, coordinate support strategies, and promote consistency across the classroom environment.
• Provide coaching, modeling, and consultation to teachers on behavioral and social-emotional support strategies within natural classroom routines.
• Participate in team meetings, supervision sessions, and planning discussions to support program quality and continuity.
• Plan, facilitate, and deliver professional development and coaching for teachers and program staff on classroom management, positive behavior supports, social-emotional development, trauma-informed practices, and Conscious Discipline strategies.
• Support the implementation and fidelity of Conscious Discipline practices across Grace Place early learning programs through training, modeling, observation, feedback, and ongoing coaching.
• Build trusting relationships with parents and caregivers; communicate regularly regarding child progress, goals, and strategies for support at home.
• Collaborate with families during intervention planning and, when appropriate, coordinate with community providers involved in a child's care.
• Assist with developmental and behavioral screenings under the guidance and direction of the supervising BCBA.
• Support early identification of developmental concerns and facilitate referrals to appropriate resources as directed.
• Participate in early intervention planning discussions as a contributing team member under BCBA oversight.
• Support the development and implementation of systems, procedures, and early intervention practices as Grace Place expands early childhood programming.
• Travel between program locations as needed to conduct observations, provide direct services, support screenings, coach staff, and participate in family meetings.
• Provide all direct services under the clinical supervision of the STAR Program BCBA; follow established supervision agreements and program protocols.
• Refrain from independently making clinical decisions regarding diagnoses, educational placement, eligibility determinations, behavior intervention plans, or treatment recommendations These remain within the BCBA's scope.
• Bring questions, concerns, and unique situations to the supervising BCBA/STAR Director for guidance and collaborative decision-making.
• Maintain the integrity of the Early Learning Support Specialist role by dedicating time to observations, relationship-building, intervention, family communication, data collection, and supervision, not routine classroom coverage, or unrelated staffing needs.

Benefits

• Medical Insurance: Grace Place covers approximately 90% of employee health premiums.
• Medical Eligibility: Begins on the first of the month following 30 days of employment
• Dental & Vision Insurance: Available to eligible employees
• Employer-Paid Benefits: Long-term disability (LTD), short-term disability (STD), and group life insurance
• Retirement (401(k)): Eligible after 90 days of employment, with employer matching contributions (Up to 4% Company Match)
• Professional Development: Opportunities to support continued learning and career growth
• Paid Time Off: 15 days of PTO in the first year
• Holidays & Closures: 15 days of paid holidays and campus closure days

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree