Special Educator, Infant/Child - PE-ID

Rappahannock Area Community Services Board•Fredericksburg, VA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

A PE-ID Special Educator provides early intervention special education services to children from birth to age three who have developmental delays, atypical development, or a diagnosis associated with a high probability of developmental delay. Services are provided in the child’s home and follow a parent-coaching model, with emphasis on cognitive and play-skill development. Cross-training in the five developmental areas may also support work on fine and gross motor skills, language, self-help and adaptive skills, and sensory integration. The educator participates in collaborative developmental assessments and works under general supervision, following agency and PE-ID policies, Part C Practice Manual quality-assurance requirements, payer guidelines, professional and ethical standards, and applicable licensing and accreditation regulations. The role includes assessing children and their development, creating goals and intervention strategies within family routines, coaching and supporting parents, coordinating services, collaborating with other professionals, and helping families access community supports. The educator maintains case records and prepares service plans, progress reports, and reimbursement documentation; supports transitions from early intervention to other services; advocates for children and families; participates in training and assessment or treatment teams; may testify in court; and performs related duties as assigned. Work may involve disagreeable environmental conditions, unsanitary behaviors or residences, contagious illnesses, and potentially violent or unsafe locations. The role may require driving in inclement or severe weather and physically assisting or lifting children. Relationships require advanced communication and interpersonal skills, including communicating with hostile or abusive children and family members, representing clients and the program to community and professional stakeholders, leading meetings, conducting briefings, and giving presentations. A bachelor’s degree in Education, Behavioral Sciences, or a related field is required; a master’s degree in one of these fields is preferred. Candidates need active Virginia state certification as a Special Educator through the VA Board of Education or a certificate in Family and Consumer Sciences. After hiring, the educator must earn and maintain state certification as a Part C Provider and Service Coordinator. First Aid and Infant-Child CPR certification and a valid state driver’s license are required. Candidates must meet federal and state qualifications for Medicaid billing. Conditional offers require successful completion of pre-employment drug screening and background checks, including criminal history, Department of Social Services review, driving record, and credential verification.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Education, Behavioral Sciences, or a related field.
Active state certification as a Special Educator through the Virginia Board of Education or a certificate in Family and Consumer Sciences.
After employment, earn and maintain state certification as a Part C Provider and Service Coordinator.
Certification in First Aid and Infant-Child CPR.
Valid state driver’s license.
Meet all federal and state qualifications required to bill Medicaid for services provided.
Thorough knowledge of typical infant and child physical and intellectual development, developmental delays, and disabilities.
Working knowledge of therapeutic treatment and education theories, principles, practices, and techniques; supportive counseling; assistive technology; and assessment tools and their uses.
Knowledge of IDEA Parts C and B, service and treatment providers, community organizations, and Virginia individual-management guidelines.
Ability to personalize developmental goals; use adaptive and assistive devices; teach infants, toddlers, and parents; interview, observe, assess, and record behavior and functioning; develop treatment and service plans; identify needs and connect individuals with services; establish rapport and effective working relationships; communicate orally and in writing; operate a vehicle; remain calm in stressful situations; maintain detailed records and prepare reports; and collect, compile, and evaluate data.
Ability to interact with clients and families, including hostile or abusive children and family members, and to communicate with professional, governmental, judicial, law-enforcement, and community stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Education, Behavioral Sciences, or a related field.
Some professional experience providing direct services to children and infants.

Responsibilities

Administer, analyze, and interpret standardized assessments of infants’ and toddlers’ cognitive, language, social/emotional, and self-help development; interview parents or caregivers and prepare reports.
Develop appropriate goals and provide direct therapeutic intervention strategies integrated with family routines.
Train parents by modeling, teaching, and coaching play-based techniques; support parents and teach parenting and behavior-modification skills based on each child’s needs.
Provide service coordination to families in accordance with Part C of IDEA and document services in the chart.
Collaborate with Service Coordinators, Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech Therapists, and other PE-ID staff to provide cohesive services to clients and families.
Facilitate linkages and help individuals and families locate, develop, or obtain community services and supports.
Educate families about their rights, responsibilities, and confidentiality.
Assist with transitions from early intervention to other entities, including schools, and advocate for appropriate services, treatment, and management.
Prepare and maintain case files, service plans, progress reports, records, and other service documentation.
Prepare reports for Medicaid SPO, Waiver, Part C reimbursement, and other purposes.
Attend and facilitate in-service training and staff development; attend professional training to maintain licensure.
Participate on treatment and assessment teams.
Testify in court.
Perform related duties as assigned.