Early Intervention Specialist

About the Role

This position is responsible for assisting the Disability and Mental Health Manager and collaborating with the Disabilities Specialist in the oversight of positive social-emotional development, school readiness, and mental wellness for children and families enrolled in Head Start and Early Head Start programs. The role ensures quality services are delivered in compliance with Head Start Performance Standards and all applicable federal, state, local, and agency policies, rules, and regulations. Working under the guidance of the Disabilities and Mental Health Manager, the position collaborates with teachers, administrators, families, and community partners to support children's social-emotional growth, address challenging behaviors through evidence-based positive behavior supports, and enhance staff capacity through coaching and professional development.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards, confidentiality requirements, and applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Promote and uphold a non-discriminatory environment that respects and values all staff, children, and families.
• Model AVANCE’s Core Values and maintain knowledge of organizational policies, procedures, and applicable regulations.
• Conduct classroom observations to assess children's social-emotional development and behavioral support needs.
• Collaborate with the Mental Health and Disabilities Manager, Early Learning and Inclusion Managers, and teaching staff to implement and monitor individualized social-emotional supports, behavior intervention plans, and inclusive practices.
• Recognize overlapping developmental, behavioral, social-emotional, and mental health concerns and collaborate with interdisciplinary team members to provide coordinated services, interventions, referrals, and family support.
• Identify social-emotional, behavioral, and developmental concerns and recommend appropriate interventions, supports, referrals, and follow-up services.
• Promote children's successful participation in inclusive learning environments and support classroom teams in creating environments that foster emotional regulation, resilience, and positive peer interactions.
• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings, staffing discussions, and partnership meetings to support children's social-emotional and behavioral development.
• Provide modeling to teaching staff on social-emotional development, positive behavior supports, trauma-informed practices, and evidence-based intervention strategies.
• Support teachers in analyzing behavior patterns and implementing effective interventions to improve child outcomes.
• Provide families with information and resources related to child development and social-emotional wellness, and collaborate in the development of support plans as appropriate.
• Collaborate with community providers, Disabilities staff, and consultants to coordinate services for children and families.
• Assist with the implementation of Mental Health and Disabilities service area goals, program-wide social-emotional initiatives, and school readiness efforts.
• Assist and deliver training and professional development related to social-emotional development, positive behavior supports, inclusion practices, trauma-informed care, and evidence-based intervention practices.
• Support the implementation of evidence-based social-emotional curriculum, screening tools, and intervention strategies.
• Maintain accurate documentation in software, intervention plans, records, and reports in accordance with agency requirements.
• Participate in program monitoring, self-assessment activities, continuous quality improvement efforts, and other duties as assigned in support of the Mental Health and Disabilities service areas.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Special Education, Psychology, or Early Childhood Education with an emphasis in behavior.
• Certifications:
  • Preferred: Texas Special Education Teaching Certification or other related behavioral certification or license.
• Work Experience:
  • Minimum of three years of experience supporting young children with social-emotional, behavioral, developmental, and/or mental health needs.
  • Experience developing and implementing behavior intervention plans and positive behavior support strategies.
  • Experience collaborating with teachers, partnerships, consultants, and multidisciplinary teams.

Skills

• Awareness and sensitivity to cultural issues in local community practices.
• Extensive knowledge of resources in the health community and public relations.
• Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office software applications with advanced skills using Microsoft Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Adobe Acrobat.
• Spanish fluency.
• Demonstrated ability to achieve high performance goals and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks seamlessly with excellent attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with stakeholders, including staff, board members, external partners, and donors.
• Emotional maturity.
• Highly resourceful team player with the ability to work independently and manage numerous simultaneous projects.
• Forward-looking thinker who actively seeks opportunities and proposes solutions.
• Strong analytical, presentation, verbal and written communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to travel to various training sessions.
• Must have dependable transportation, a valid driver’s license, a clean driving record, current auto liability insurance, and be bondable by AVANCE, San Antonio, Inc.

Working Conditions

Travel: 50% annually on average with occasional long-distance travel.

Equipment: Computer, computer software programs and peripherals, resource materials and equipment, copier, fax, and other equipment applicable to the position.

Mental and Physical Demands: General office and sedentary work. Regularly required to sit, use hands, reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear. Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Occasional lifting/carrying, pulling/pushing 10-30 pounds. Work evenings and weekends as needed.

Environmental Factors: Occasional exposure to biological hazards and weather-related conditions when working outside.