Early Intervention Specialist Full Year

Job Summary:
Under the supervision of the Early Intervention Services Manager, the Early Intervention Specialist provides support to teaching staff and other school personnel (e.g., teaching assistants, bus monitors) through coaching, training, mentoring, and monitoring effective strategies to support children with special needs. This position collaborates with parents, teachers, and community providers to coordinate services, conducts child observations to determine referral needs, and ensures effective strategies are in place to support children in meeting Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals. Additionally, the Early Intervention Specialist oversees child referral processes, working with local school districts and educating families about evaluations and services.

Essential Functions (Not All Inclusive):

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct observations of children identified by staff or the Early Intervention Services Manager, providing feedback and recommendations on interventions and referrals.
• Identify children with potential disabilities and ensure qualified diagnosticians assess them.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of children with suspected or diagnosed disabilities, mental health concerns, and classroom support strategies.
• Complete referral paperwork and ensure smooth transitions/referral processes with local school districts.
• Attend and facilitate meetings (e.g., IEP meetings) with parents, staff, and school personnel to discuss children’s needs.
• Track and document activities related to IEPs for children with diagnosed conditions.
• Collaborate with Head Start and Early Head Start staff to create a comprehensive approach for transitioning children with identified needs into Head Start.
• Support the implementation of strategies to meet IEP goals, which may include creating materials (e.g., visual schedules, first/then boards, sensory items, social stories) and training staff on classroom management techniques.
• Ensure availability of specialized supplies and equipment for children with disabilities.
• Work with Licensed Mental Health Professional to provide and coordinate mental health services for children and families.
• Provide or facilitate training for staff, parents, substitute teachers, and volunteers to enhance understanding of disabilities, mental health issues, and classroom inclusion strategies.
• Mentor teachers to improve their ability to support children with developmental, behavioral, or special needs, offering feedback on effective classroom strategies.

Safety: Responsible for conducting all duties in a safe manner.

Affirmative Action: Responsible for following the affirmative action plan as set forth and signed by the Board of Directors

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or related field and a minimum of 5 years of experience in an early childhood setting required or an Associate’s degree with a minimum of 7 years of experience in an early childhood setting or similar required . Master’s degree in a related field plus 5 years of experience is preferred.
• Previous Head Start program experience preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of child development.
• Demonstrated knowledge of referral processes for children with suspected disabilities.
• Understanding of the requirements of IFSPs and IEPs.
• Experience working with children with identified needs and/or at risk children.

Abilities and Skills: In order to be successful in this position, the person will at minimum need to possess the following abilities and skills:

• Must have knowledge of community resources, especially those related to services for children and families with identified disabilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills required.
• Must be proficient with Google (i.e., Dox, Sheets, etc.).
• Must be able to navigate and enter data in a complex database.
• Strong organizational skills needed.
• Must be able to work some evening and weekend hours.

Core Technology Competency: Level 2 - Intermediate 1

Certifications: Must obtain CPR/First Aid Certification within 90 days of hire; must maintain certifications.

Driver’s License: Because of the multiple locations of centers and home visits, a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation on a daily basis is required.

Physical Requirements:

• Normal office physical exertion.
Must be physically able to participate with children in the Head Start classroom and on fieldtrips.
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds.
• Ability to drive, climb stairs and perform home visits out in the community.
• This position requires the ability to handle and prioritize multiple complex tasks and deadlines and function effectively, independently and as a team member.

Mental Requirements: Must be able to relate to and communicate with people of varying multi-ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds.

Environmental Requirements: Environment will include normal office environment, Head Start centers and classrooms, unaccompanied home visits, travel between sites and to/ from home and community agencies/organizations.

Benefits

Department: Head Start - Mental Health

Starting Salary Range: $28.31 Hourly - $31.85 Hourly

CAPRW's compensation offerings are determined by job related knowledge, education and relevant experience.

Schedule: 40 hours/week, Full Year, M-F, Non-Exempt, Union Eligible

Hybrid Capability: One half day per week can be worked remotely.

This will be available upon manager approval determined by program needs and performance

Posting Dates: 03/20/2025 - Until Filled

Benefits: Community Action offers excellent benefits including generous paid time off (PTO), paid holidays, health, dental, eye & life insurance, health savings accounts (HSA), flexible saving accounts (FSA), retirement, employee discount programs, tuition assistance programs and so much more!

Background Checks: Community Action conducts criminal background checks at the time of hire. Some positions require additional fingerprint and photo verification. Not all backgrounds are a barrier to employment.

Community Action Partnership of Ramsey and Washington Counties is an Equal Opportunity (EEO) and Affirmative Action (AA) Employer. We recruit, select, hire, place, transfer, promote, demote, layoff, discipline, terminate, recall, compensate, and train without regard to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, familial status, disability, veteran status, status with regard to public assistance, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, or any other basis protected by applicable laws, directives, and regulations of federal, state, and local governing bodies or agencies. We will provide reasonable accommodation to applicants and employees with disabilities whenever possible.