Early Intervention Specialist - Behavior

POSITION TITLE: Early Intervention Specialist - Behavior

PAY RANGE: $49,810 to $66,029 per year

DEPARTMENT: Early Intervention Support Services

POSITION SUMMARY

The Early Intervention Specialist –Behavior will create and execute individualized behavior support plans and provide behavioral support to children, families, and professionals, based on observations and concern identification of children referred through the Ages & Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) results, agency referrals, parent/provider concerns, and/or online support requests. Specialists provide training and technical assistance for childcare providers. This position develops, implements, and monitors behavior intervention activities relating to the needs of a child identified through observation and/or screenings. The specialist serves as a liaison with families and providers to access community resources. The specialist also supports early intervention services

while promoting and growing inclusive early education programs in the community.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work collaboratively with other members of the Early Intervention Department, parents, and providers to identify and determine children's needs. Once behavior is an identified need, the Behavior Specialist will implement support plans and serve as a behavior liaison.
• Conduct parent/teacher interviews, complete in-classroom observations, and collect behavioral data for children referred for challenging behaviors.
• Create Behavior Support Plans in partnership with parents/caregivers, and providers to address the reported and observed behavior concerns in the classroom.
• Independently manage workload and navigate complex processes; including guiding parents through the delicate process of discovering their child may need additional support and/or require special education services.
• Advanced time management skills and handling multiple priorities.
• Ensure all data/contact made with families, providers, and agencies related to screening or intervention is accurately entered into the appropriate database.
• Consult with directors, teachers/support staff and families to assist with implementation of the behavior support plan and strategies.
• Communicate regularly with directors, teachers/support staff and families to determine the effectiveness of the Behavior Support Plan and strategies.
• Monitor and record Behavior Support Plan progress, track data for outcomes, and produce data as needed in various formats.
• Use data collection tools to monitor student progress, analyze data, and determine student’s response to intervention and intervention modification.
• Identify, educate, and promote awareness on the importance of inclusivity for children with disabilities and special health care needs.
• For SR children with an IFSP/IEP, consult and collaborate with childcare center upon request, as well as assist in accessing the Special Needs Rate.
• Actively engage families and providers in conversations related to the importance of early screening and intervention.
• Connect parents to community resources/agencies for children with individual needs.
• Collaborate and follow up with community partners to streamline inclusion, referrals, screening, evaluation, and support children with developmental concerns.
• Work on special projects related to Inclusion and serving children with Special Needs, Social Emotional curriculum, Inclusion training of workforce development and other committees, assigned.
• Attend regular professional development workshops, training and/or professional conferences documenting a minimum of 30 hours of professional development annually.
• Significant travel is required within Hillsborough County with compensation.
• Site visits to childcare programs are required- to complete screenings.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution in early childhood education, social services, or other closely related field
• Willingness to complete screenings at the childcare center
• Knowledge of various behavioral model programs
• Ability to exemplify our Core Values of Integrity, Equity, Accountability, Collaboration, Innovation, Transparency, Consistency and Benevolence
• Proven ability to connect with a diverse population, including parents, foster parents, etc.
• Familiarity and experience with screening tools for determining children’s need for evaluations.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in early child development, with a (preferred) minimum of 2 years supporting children with disabilities or delays
• Knowledge of School Readiness and VPK policies and procedures (Florida Statutes and Florida Administrative Code), especially as it relates to quality initiatives and School Readiness Health and Safety requirements
• Understanding various early learning special education needs and services
• Successful completion of the level 2 background screening standards as set forth in s. 435.04, F.S.
• Knowledge and familiarity with IDEA
• Valid Florida’s driver license and the ability to drive a passenger vehicle
• Bi-lingual English/Spanish required
• Advanced organizational, analytical, interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
• Intermediate skills with Microsoft Office Products and navigate multiple databases

Physical Demands / Work Environment

• Work Environment: This job operates in the field as well as an office setting. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, copiers/fax machines. While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently interacts with staff, providers and parents via telephone and email.
• Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be required to sit for prolonged periods, at a desk, utilizing a computer and reviewing online and paper documents. The employee will also be required to lift and move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and move up to 50 pounds.
• Position Type and Expected Hours of Work: Standard hours of work are Monday through Friday however evening and weekend hours may be required.