Social Emotional Specialist

About the Role

Under the supervision of the Disability and Mental Health Manager, the Social-Emotional Specialist will be an active member of the teaching team and provide direct and indirect support to individual children in the classrooms by teaching social-emotional skills, collecting data, modeling strategies, and supporting children when they engage in challenging behaviors. This support includes one-on-one support and collaborative problem solving with both prevention and intervention models. The position works collaboratively with teachers, management, families, and mental health providers to support children’s learning and safety at our Early Education campuses.

Responsibilities

• Participate in a coordinated system of providing services, follow-up, and documentation among Center Director, mental health consultant/s, Disabilities and Mental Health Manager, Family Services Specialist, and Educational Coach.
• Provide support to teachers using Behavior Skills Training (BST), including observing, modeling, and coaching/feedback.
• Provide direct support for children requiring behavioral intervention/modification, including maintaining a record of written classroom observations and interventions.
• Work with children with behavioral challenges and/or disabilities individually or in integrated settings such as the classroom, team meetings, and in cooperation with classroom teachers. Extend support to families through parent education and consultation.
• Train staff on positive behavior intervention strategies and techniques, including replacement behaviors.
• Follow up on the application of social-emotional support strategies in classrooms by conducting quarterly Social Emotional Supports: Classroom Observations.
• Ensure appropriate inclusion activities are carried out in Head Start/Early Head Start classrooms.
• Model strategies from the Pyramid Model.
• Attend transition IFSP/IEP meetings for children with special needs transitioning from Early Head Start to Head Start and from Head Start to Kindergarten.
• Collaborate with staff and Mental Health Consultant to ensure Child Support Plans are implemented with fidelity.
• Participate in California Teaching Pyramid (CSEFEL) Leadership Team meetings.
• Attend classroom team meetings and recommended training programs and conferences.
• Assist in planning individualized learning strategies to build relationships, modify the classroom environment, and teach social-emotional skills.
• Create individualized visual supports to use, model, and share with teachers (e.g., visuals relating to schedules, expectations, rules, emotions, problem-solving strategies, self-regulation).
• Provide exceptional customer service and represent the Agency professionally while maintaining confidentiality.
• Maintain personal safety, use personal protection equipment (PPE), and follow Agency policies. Report safety issues, accidents, or injuries to your manager.
• Interact positively with team members, facilitate positive change, and partner with supervisors to address department issues or concerns.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Education, Mental Health, or Psychology with commensurate experience and knowledge of special education; LCSW/MFT preferred.
• 1+ years of teaching experience.
• 2+ years of working with young children (0-5) with emotional/behavioral challenges and disabilities such as autistic spectrum disorders and speech and language delays.
• 3+ years of community-based experience in a setting working with families and community organizations who have experienced poverty, crisis, trauma, and other adverse events.
• Understanding of child growth and development and developmental behavior characteristics.
• Expert knowledge of function-based intervention planning for developing behavior change strategies that focus on reducing problem behavior and increasing appropriate behavior.

Requirements

• Fluent in English/Spanish (preferred).
• Current CA Driver’s License, auto insurance, and a clean driving record.
• Fingerprinting Clearance (DOJ/FBI) and Child Abuse Index.
• Immunizations and health screening.
• Covid-19 vaccination record.

Skills and Abilities

• Effective communication with children, parents/guardians, staff, and administrators.
• Ability to consistently be at work, be on time, follow instructions, respond to management direction, and solicit feedback to improve performance.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; courteous, professional, and helpful.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, Google Documents, and ChildPlus.
• Ability to learn and use general office equipment (fax, copier, printer, phone, and computer).
• Ability to maintain the highest level of confidentiality when dealing with client information.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit approximately 50% of the time, walk 25% of the time, and stand 25% of the time. The employee is frequently required to use hands and fingers to type or handle, feel, and operate objects. The employee is required to occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and frequently required to speak and listen. Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Pay

$40 - $44 hourly.

Benefits

• Medical – Kaiser and Balance.
• Dental – Principal.
• Vision – Vision Care.
• Life Insurance - $50,000.
• 403b – 3% match.
• FSA (Flexible Spending Account).
• Pet Care.
• 15 paid sick days.
• 12 paid holidays.
• 12 paid vacation days.
• EAP (Employee Assistance Program).
• WADP (Working Advantage Discount Program).