Child Development Specialist

We are seeking a Child Development Specialist will support individualization for children with disabilities and mental health/behavioral needs through ongoing monitoring and collaboration with Head Start and Early Head Start classroom and leadership teams.

At Community Teamwork our employees enjoy best-in-class benefits to support their physical, financial and emotional wellness.

We offer:

• Starting at $29.00
• Casual work environment
• 4 weeks of Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Paid Life Insurance
• Tuition reimbursement
• 12 paid holidays
• Paid sick leave
• Career advancement and professional development
• 5% contribution to your 401K whether you participate on your own or not.
• Great co-workers and a great mission, supportive environment with an outstanding Community Action Agency

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Conduct classroom observations to support implementation of IFSP outcomes and IEP goals, identify children in need of additional support or referrals, and provide general support in and out of classroom to promote best practices for inclusion and implementation of the Pyramid Model.
• Review IFSP and IEP documentation to ensure curriculum modifications and learning environments are appropriate for individual children in each classroom; provide reflection and support as needed for teaching teams to promote inclusive practices. Meet with teaching teams to review IFSP and IEP outcomes/goals and accommodations.
• Consult with Child Development Coaches, Mental Health Consultants, Early Intervention visitors, ABA Behavior Technicians, and Special Educators to provide support to teaching teams for assigned children and classrooms.
• Provide in-classroom support as needed during transition periods or identified classroom routines to support inclusion of children with delays or disabilities, supporting Educators through coaching in the moment as well as reflection surrounding how to implement accommodations and strategies and how to effectively prevent and respond to behavior.
• Work with classroom teams and Child Development Coach to create, update, and implement Social-Emotional Support Plans to address individual children's needs and classroom behavior.
• Provide recommendations for classroom materials to support children identified with disabilities, developmental delays, or challenging behavior.
• Support Lead Child Development Specialist with monitoring of mental health and disabilities related services in compliance with Head Start and Early Head Start performance standards, Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care licensing requirements and NAEYC accreditation standards.
• Participate and present observations, data, and/or recommendations at case review, center, and/or leadership meetings as needed. Participate in reflective case presentations.
• In collaboration with Disabilities and Inclusion and Workforce Development Managers, support planning and provide recommendations for staff development and training opportunities related to mental health, disabilities, and inclusion.
• Participate in special projects related to inclusive practices and mental health and disabilities.
• Uphold the values of CTI - Equity, Integrity and Compassion

Qualifications:

• HS Degree is required. Bachelor's degree in special education, Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Psychology, or related field preferred.
• 3-5 years of experience working with children aged 0-5 in a classroom or community setting.
• Additional experience of 5-8 years may be substituted for degree.
• Knowledge/experience with Head Start, Early Head Start, Early Intervention, special education services, mental health and/or ABA services for young children required.
• Knowledge/experience working with children with developmental delays, disabilities, behavioral or mental health needs and/or autism spectrum disorder required.
• Must be able to pass background check including fingerprinting
• Evidence of MMR immunity and recent physical required

Equal Opportunity Employer Vets/Disabled.