Special Educator I, II or III

State of Oklahoma•Purcell, OK

About The Position

The Oklahoma State Department of Health’s SoonerStart program provides early intervention for infants and toddlers from birth to age three with developmental delays and/or disabilities, supporting families to promote children’s learning and development through everyday opportunities. The Special Educator provides individual and family services to enhance children’s learning, development, and social-emotional skills, promote literacy and early cognitive understanding, and monitor progress toward goals. Services include screening and assessing children’s health and development; evaluating needs; providing intervention and parent education; and coaching and modeling skills families can use to support health, cognitive, personal-social, language, and motor development. Services are delivered in children’s natural environments, such as homes or childcare settings, or in another setting determined appropriate by the early intervention team. The role also contributes to interdisciplinary services and the development and monitoring of Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSPs). This is a part-time, temporary position based in Purcell, Oklahoma. The schedule is Monday through Friday, with hours that may vary. Services may also be provided remotely, and being present in the office is an essential function. Compensation is up to $21.63 per hour for Level I, up to $25.96 per hour for Level II, and up to $30.77 per hour for Level III, based on education and experience.

Requirements

Level I: Bachelor’s degree in Special Education, Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, or a related field from an accredited college or university.
Level I: Valid teaching certificate issued by the Oklahoma State Department of Education; Special Education certification is preferred but not mandatory.
Level I: Ability to assess and evaluate children’s cognitive, social, emotional, communication, motor, and adaptive abilities to develop educational outcomes that enhance school readiness.
Level II: Bachelor’s degree in Special Education, Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, or a related field from an accredited college or university.
Level II: Valid teaching certificate issued by the Oklahoma State Department of Education; Special Education certification is preferred but not mandatory.
Level II: One year of post-baccalaureate teaching experience.
Level II: Ability to assess and evaluate children’s cognitive, social, emotional, communication, motor, and adaptive abilities to develop educational outcomes that enhance school readiness.
Level III: Either a relevant master’s degree and a valid Oklahoma State Department of Education teaching certificate plus two years of teaching experience, or a relevant bachelor’s degree and a valid teaching certificate plus three years of teaching experience.
Knowledge of early childhood development theories and concepts.
Ability to adapt communication style to the situation, influence outcomes in support of client development goals, and analyze childhood learning and development issues to identify solutions.
Level III: Knowledge of evidence-based early childhood and early childhood special education principles, techniques, materials, and curricula, and typical and atypical development from birth through age three.
Level III: Ability to assess and evaluate children’s cognitive, social, emotional, communication, motor, and adaptive abilities; establish effective working relationships; communicate orally and in writing; and exercise initiative and independent judgment.
Willingness and ability to perform job-related travel and possession of a valid driver’s license.
Applicants must provide documentation of required education, certification, or licensure when applying.
Applicants must pass a background check and be legally authorized to work in the United States without visa sponsorship.
Physical demands include talking, standing, walking, reaching with hands and arms, and potentially lifting up to 35 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Special Education certification is preferred for Levels I and II, but is not mandatory.
Special Education certification is preferred for Level III.

Responsibilities

Determine eligibility and evaluate client needs.
Administer onsite assessments and evaluations to coordinate direct special education early intervention services and improve learning skills.
Provide learning interventions in the child’s natural environment.
Determine appropriate services and interventions for each child and family.
Work with contracted providers, including assigning clients, assisting with early intervention program development, scheduling evaluations, and providing general supervision to support timely service availability.
Participate on multidisciplinary or transdisciplinary teams, staff individual cases, and develop Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSPs) for early intervention and special education under IDEA.
Supervise subordinate staff, as applicable to the level and assignment.
Provide services to children and families in the child’s natural environment or another environment identified as appropriate by the early intervention team.
Assist with initiating and implementing transition services from the early intervention program.
Be present in the office as an essential function of the job.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Support agency mission, vision, values, standards, policies, procedures, operating instructions, confidentiality standards, and ethical conduct.
Work effectively in a team environment and assist peers.
Perform job-related travel; occasional in-state overnight and weekend travel may be required.