Development Specialist

Using a family-centered model within a natural environment, a Child Developmental Specialist develops and facilitates activities promoting the overall development of children with disabilities and their families. This position provides home-based instruction and case management/service coordination to children under the age of three with disabilities under the Part C federal regulations of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Responsibilities

• Develop ideas, plans, and procedures for initiation, expansion, improvement, and evaluation of Early Intervention (EI) for the benefit of children and families with special needs.
• Assess cognitive, physical, social domains, and language development for children and recommend appropriate activities to enhance growth and development.
• Promote family involvement, advocacy, and support family decisions using a family-centered model within natural environments.
• Build appropriate and professional relationships with children and families.
• Conduct child assessments and re-assessments, creating evaluation reports incorporating assessment tools, caregiver reports, and professional reports.
• Participate in home visitations with eligible families, identifying strengths and needs of both child and family.
• Attend and observe one therapy session per child per month when appropriate.
• Submit a progress report or DAP note per visit for each child and family served in the EI Program.
• Organize and maintain the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP), including assessments, updating family needs and priorities, transition planning, and up-to-date health history. Provide a minimum of 2400 minutes of targeted case management for families to assist in providing resources and ensuring the development and implementation of the Infant Family Service Plan.
• Assist in the set-up and facilitation of playgroups.
• Attend staff and program meetings.
• Comply with all state, federal, and program policies, standards, and timeliness.
• Keep consistent records and meet timelines for reporting and conducting assessments.
• Maintain records on all children enrolled in the Early Intervention Program.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in early childhood, special education, human growth and development, psychology, counseling, social work, or a closely related field.
• Minimum one year of experience working with children from birth to 3 years old.
• Minimum one year of experience working with children with disabilities.
• CPR and First Aid Certification required.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word and Excel).
• Valid Nevada driver’s license.
• Must possess or obtain an endorsement in Early Childhood Special Education issued by the Nevada Department of Education or a comparable certification issued by the Nevada Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part C office within three years of date of hire. At least one course must be completed within the first year of employment.

Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize assignments.
• Ability to complete assigned tasks.
• Ability to work without constant supervision.
• Ability to work on a daily basis with people that may have severe, profound, and/or multiple disabilities.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Regularly required to stand, use hands to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls, frequently talk or hear, reach with hands, lift arms above and below shoulder level.
• Occasionally required to sit, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Must be able to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds; occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds with assistance if needed.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision.

Working Conditions

• This position requires at least 75% travel within the service delivery area.
• Exposure to Las Vegas area outdoor weather conditions, including extreme heat, extreme cold, wind, poor air quality, and wet or humid conditions.

Pay

$49,000 yearly salary.