Inclusion Specialist

About the role

The Inclusion Specialist provides practice-based coaching and early childhood mental health and behavior consultation to early childhood professionals to prevent the expulsion of children age birth to five and promotes the inclusion of children with special needs. This position is expected to support the overall operation of Abilities Network when needed.

Responsibilities

• Observe childcare settings and provide feedback regarding strengths as well as recommendations for universal behavior supports and best practices to improve the classroom environment
• Observe individual children, collect data, and utilize assessment tools to perform a functional behavior analysis, determine the function of the challenging behavior and develop support plans containing strategies for behavior change with the goal of preventing expulsion and promoting social emotional competencies
• Aid classroom staff in implementing strategies through reflective coaching, on-site modeling, training sessions, and other supports as needed
• Address mental health needs through a consultative model, address speech and language, cognitive, physical, and social and emotional development as well as daily living skills by making recommendations for enhancing development or referring families to appropriate intervention resources
• Facilitate collaborative planning and support families when children receive services through an IEP/IFSP and provide parents with education, tools, and support to become self-sufficient in advocating for the inclusion of their child with mental health needs, disabilities, and/or challenging behaviors
• Develop and present training and mentoring sessions for early childhood professionals and out-of-school-time providers regarding mental health issues, developmentally appropriate practices, trauma informed practices, the inclusion of children with disabilities, and/or managing challenging behavior
• Provide customized training for early childhood professionals when providing consultation services for an individual child
• Provide parents with education, tools, and support to advocate for the full inclusion of their child with mental health needs, disabilities, or challenging behaviors

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Counseling, Special Education, Early Childhood Education, Social Work, Psychology or a related field required, Master's Degree preferred
• Experience working with children with challenging behaviors, mental health concerns, trauma histories, or developmental disabilities
• A minimum of 4 years’ classroom teaching experience working with children ages birth to 5
• Group training experience
• Relevant Licensure or Certification (LCWS, LCPC, BCBA) preferred
• Coursework in curriculum and child development preferred
• Fluency in Spanish preferred
• Experience working with older children preferred

Qualifications

• Proficient in program management with a strong focus on training and development
• Excellent oral and written communication with a demonstrated knowledge of adult learning principles
• Comfortable with all types of technology i.e. proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
• Maintains flexible and collaborative work ethic
• Well-developed organizational skills

Skills

• Program Management
• Training and Development
• Oral and Written Communication
• Technology Proficiency
• Flexible and Collaborative Work Ethic
• Organizational Skills

Benefits

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life/AD&D Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• 403(b) plan with employer contribution
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid Time Off, Sick Leave, Paid Holidays, Anniversary Day Off
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Referral Bonus Program - earn up to $1,800 per hire!

Pay

$22.00 per hour, non-negotiable

Schedule

This is a hybrid position requiring availability to work some evenings and weekends with occasional overnight travel.

Benefits

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life/AD&D Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• 403(b) plan with employer contribution
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid Time Off, Sick Leave, Paid Holidays, Anniversary Day Off
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Referral Bonus Program - earn up to $1,800 per hire!

Contact Information

To learn more about Abilities Network, visit www.abilitiesnetwork.org. For questions about the application process, contact the Human Resources Office at HumanResources@abilitiesnetwork.org or call 410-828-7700.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Abilities Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply.