Special Educator

Purpose

We are in search of a dedicated individual with a proven track record of effectively collaborating with leaders and employees from diverse cultural backgrounds, along with a strong commitment to promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion. Our Educators develop, coordinate, and implement family support plans as part of Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT) for children aged birth to three who demonstrate neurodevelopmental, social-emotional and cognitive differences. We work to enhance childrens development and learning environments through a combination of caregiver coaching, groups, and direct intervention. Educators empower caregivers to support learning through play within their natural environment.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities

Duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Build a culturally sensitive partnership with each childs caregiving family to support their participation in their childs learning
• Provide caregiver coaching as a service delivery model to empower families with information and strategies to enhance the growth and development of their infant or toddler
• Deliver routines-based, culturally relevant services within the childs natural learning environment which includes home or community settings
• Conduct formal and/or informal evaluations of a childs development; prepare written reports and updates as required
• Participate in the development and implementation of each childs Individualized Service Plan as part of a team, including participation in IFSP meetings with caregivers, Family Resources Coordinator, and other providers
• Incorporate evidence-based accommodations, modifications, and adaptations to enable a child to participate and learn in their natural environments; design and/or assist in developing adaptive equipment; educate primary caregivers in therapeutic strategies using this equipment
• Collaborate as part of a team with the family, other service providers and community agencies, such as medical professionals, school district personnel and family advocates
• Maintain accurate records of contact for each child and family, including daily progress notes and timely billing records
• Participate in group programs as assigned; may include supporting development and learning of children within an interdisciplinary Stepping Stones community preschool class or supporting parent education through a BabySteps or Family Co-op class
• When assigned to a classroom, communicate with Early Learning Coordinator to support enrollment in class. Oversee and provide training to assistant educators and classroom volunteers with the assistance of the Teaching Assistant Manager. Facilitate team meetings to discuss specific children and classroom functioning.
• Make referrals to appropriate community or Kindering programs, support groups, and other services; support family in advocating for themselves, their family, and their child.
• Provide or support outreach, care planning, coordination, anticipatory guidance for complex health needs, assistance to access services, consultation, resource development, interagency coordination, training, program planning, quality management, and administration to support Medicaid programs as needed

Required Education & Experience

• B.A. degree in Special Education or Early Childhood Special Education; Masters degree preferred
• Washington State Teaching Certificate with an Endorsement in Early Child Special Education (preferred) or Special Education
• Proven ability to work effectively with populations from traditionally marginalized identities of ability, race, class, gender, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic class
• Preference for additional language proficiency to serve families in their preferred language
• Strong teamwork skills and ability to demonstrate flexibility, dependability and punctuality
• Training in neurodevelopmental treatment techniques preferred

Minimum Prerequisites

• Pass Washington State DSHS criminal history and background check and FBI fingerprint check
• Strictly maintain confidentiality of all client information
• Demonstrate skill in word processing and familiarity with MS Outlook, Word and Excel
• Possess valid Washington State drivers license and valid automobile insurance
• Have access to a dependable personal vehicle
• Pass drug and tuberculosis tests
• Ability to show proof of current immunizations, including COVID-19 and MMR vaccine or titer test*
• Kindering requires those supervising and providing in-person services to children to be vaccinated/ or apply and be approved for a sincerely held religious belief or medical exemption.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

The information described below represents the activities and surroundings one may encounter when performing the duties of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• To perform the job, the employee will be required to talk, hear, stand, and walk, with assistive devices as needed.The employee is required to stoop, climb, balance, kneel, bend, crouch, crawl, and reach with hands and arms.The employee may be required to lift or carry up to 40 pounds (the average weight of a three-year-old)
• The work is performed in various environments, including family homes, community locations such as a park or childcare, on-site classrooms and open office. Travel to these various locations is required. Environmental conditions (noise levels, smells, brightness levels, walking surfaces) may vary and cannot always be controlled
• The employee will be required to organize their own schedule, independently plan for timely completion of paperwork tasks and demonstrate flexibility with changes

About Kindering

Kindering embraces children of diverse abilities and their families by providing the finest education and therapies to nurture hope, courage, and the skills to soar. As a nonprofit neurodevelopmental center, we have provided comprehensive services for children with special needs and their families since 1962. Kindering is dedicated to maintaining a highly trained, licensed, and certified team of professionals. Current services include comprehensive developmental assessments; physical, occupational, speech, language, and infant mental health therapy; special education; family counseling; nutrition and feeding therapy; childcare consultation; parenting education; and family resource coordination. Kinderings vision for equity is I BELONG. Eradicate systemic racial and oppressive barriers so everyone succeeds. Kindering values diverse perspectives and life experiences. We aim to seek out people from systemically oppressed and marginalized backgrounds to apply, including people of color, women, people with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ, immigrants, and refugees.

Kindering is a proud equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive work environment and to building a team that reflects the rich diversity of our community.