Infant and Toddler Program Service Specialist

Exempt; full-time; 35 hours per week; Monday - Friday; 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.; full-benefits; grant-funded
 
This professional position provides case management services and service coordination for families involved in the Frederick County Infants and Toddlers Program (FCITP).  FCITP provides early intervention services to families with children (birth to four years of age) who are experiencing developmental delays.  Supervision is received from the Infants and Toddlers Program Team Supervisor.

NOTE: The upper pay range reflects possible wage rates for internal County transfers and promotions.  For transfers and promotions, wage rates are calculated per County policy. 

Frederick County Government values the principles of diversity and inclusion, and strives to ensure equal opportunities for its workforce, applicants and community members.  If you are a person who wants to make a difference, give back to your community, and be a voice for change, apply to Frederick County Government today.

 TOTAL COMPENSATION PACKAGE:  Frederick County offers an extensive compensation package to reflect how highly we value our employees. The following is what you can expect in your first year as a full-time benefited Frederick County Government employee.

• 11 days of Vacation leave with increase after 2 years of employment
• 15 days of Sick leave with unlimited annual carryover
• 11 paid holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays
• Day 1 coverage of comprehensive Medical Insurance Plan options to include generous County Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution (if enrolled in the high-deductible plan). This is part of a full range of benefits including Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending
• 100% County paid 2x annual salary Group Term Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) benefit
• County and Employee funded Defined Benefit Pension Plan
  • Vesting after 5 years of service
  • Additional service credit for eligible previous public service, military service, etc.
• Work/Life balance programs include: Employee Assistance Program and Employee Wellness Program
• Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Other employee-paid benefits such as Deferred Compensation Plan, Legal Resources, Supplemental Life Insurance, Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Lifetime Benefit with Long Term Care plan.
• Coming soon-early 2025: Employee Health Center with no or low cost primary and urgent care

For more information, visit our benefits page on the Frederick County Government job opportunities webpage.

• Assist parents of infants and toddlers with disabilities in gaining access to, and coordinating the provision of, early intervention services required under Part C of IDEA
• Complete intake process for all new referrals by providing an overview of the program’s   services and supports, as well as scheduling   initial eligibility evaluations for families and staff
• Conduct multidisciplinary eligibility evaluations in collaboration with various licensed professionals, using standardized tools and/or screeners, as well as family assessments, including Routines Based Interviews (RBI) to assist with the development of   Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSP)
• Coordinate, facilitate, and monitor the timely delivery of early intervention services for a caseload of children and   families   in   natural environments through regular home visits and/or via telephone on a monthly basis
• Initiate, complete, and/or assist with the development and review of Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSP) for children and families in accordance with state mandated requirements and timelines, using the Maryland Online IFSP database
• Routinely review and advise families of their rights and procedural safeguards and assist those with questions and/or concerns regarding any aspect of services being provided
• Provide ongoing service coordination to include, assisting parents with identifying their individual and family’s need for supports and resources, as well as  for promoting their child's development
• Educate families, staff and partnering agencies about resources within the agency, community and state, and coordinate linkages, as needed, to additional services or financial resources such as grants, scholarships, etc.
• Achieve and maintain fidelity in execution of identified Evidenced Based Practices related to Early Intervention services
• Participate in team meetings for purposes of coordinating services and coaching colleagues on providing quality services to families and maintain effective working relationships with all persons involved in the care of children served
• Provide   education and guidance regarding typical vs. atypical skills for children ages birth to 5 in all developmental domains, as well as the potential negative impact a child’s developmental delays and/or complex medical needs may have on primary caregivers and their families
• Assist with organizing and leading parent support groups and   periodic family-centered events
• Participate in departmental and interagency meetings to promote partnership and coordination of services in the best interest of children and families
• Facilitate the development and coordination of the transition process, in collaboration with Frederick County Public School’s (FCPS) Child Find office, for children turning 3 years of age and their families, from Part C Infants and Toddlers Program services to Part B services with FCPS
• Perform other related duties as required

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  Any single position may not be assigned all duties listed above, nor do the examples cover all duties that may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The qualifications/requirements, knowledge/skills/abilities and physical requirements or working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, Nursing, Family Services, Education or a related field
• Minimum 1 year of relevant pediatric case management and/or service coordination work experience

KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILITIES:

• Working knowledge of infant and early childhood development, developmental disabilities, and Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
• Knowledge of the development and implementation of Individual Family Service Plans
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, children who have developmental delays and/or disabilities and their families, and the general public
• Ability to effectively function as a member of an interagency team
• Ability to effectively organize work, establish priorities and complete assigned duties with minimal supervision
• Strong and effective spoken and written (English) communication skills

PREFERENCE MAY BE GIVEN FOR:

• Experience working with families of infants and toddlers with developmental disabilities
• Bilingual (Spanish/English or American Sign Language/English) proficiency
• Current MD State licensure as a Social Worker, Psychologist, Psychology Associate, Professional Counselor, RN or LPN

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORKING CONDITIONS:

• While working in this position, this employee is required to constantly sit, walk, perform repetitive motions and drive; frequently climb, stoop, and reach.
• While working in this position, the employee is required to constantly work indoors, outdoors, and has potential exposure for infection diseases.

• This position is subject to random drug testing
• This position is considered essential personnel in the event of a public health emergency

KIND OF EXAMINATION (may include):

1. An evaluation of qualifications and training
2. One or more interviews
3. A pre-employment fingerprint supported background investigation
4. A pre-employment physical examination 
5. A pre-employment drug test

Salary : $57,218 - $91,549