Therapeutic Preschool Child Development Specialist at Helen Ross McNabb Center

About the Role

Assists children in learning, developing, and using self-regulation strategies that improve emotion regulation and reduce trauma-related behaviors using trauma-informed and developmentally appropriate interventions. This position is located at the Knox Children and Youth Center and operates in office. This program runs during non-traditional hours.

Responsibilities

• Maintains trauma-informed and supportive relationships with children enrolled in program and their caregivers.
• Ensures services are evidence-based, trauma-informed, and family-focused.
• Maintains appropriate boundaries with clients and caregivers.
• Completes initial intakes into program in a timely manner.
• Formulates, in partnership with the caregivers, goal plans for children and their families.
• Runs psychoeducational groups with children, including managing the group schedule, meals, therapeutic activities, and curriculum.
• Assists children in learning, developing, and using self-regulation strategies that improve emotion regulation and reduce trauma-related behaviors using trauma-informed and developmentally appropriate interventions.
• Conducts a timely case needs assessment to determine family wraparound needs and coordinate, monitor, evaluate, and advocate for a package of appropriate services to meet the specific needs of the children and families served.
• Develops community contacts and a thorough knowledge of community resources.
• Assists in tasks that improve overall management of program, including arranging transportation for clients, maintaining program supplies, overseeing interns, and other administrative tasks.
• Completes documentation of program activities in timely manner and in accordance with program and Center-wide policies.
• Consistently meets productivity targets in accordance with program standards.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in social services or a related human service field required.
• One-year of experience working in the early childcare setting preferred; one year experience working with children in the social work setting preferred.
• Training in trauma-informed care, infant and early childhood mental health, and child development preferred.

Skills & Abilities

• Must be able to build quality and caring relationships with clients where clients feel supported and heard.
• Must be able to maintain a trauma-informed approach when serving families.
• Must maintain appropriate boundaries with clients and colleagues.
• Must have strong communication skills.
• Must be able to manage a flexible schedule and multiple tasks.
• Must be able to work within a team and find solution-focused responses to programmatic challenges.
• Ability to effectively utilize methods of crisis intervention including therapeutic holds.
• Ability to carry up to 60 pounds of weight.
• Ability to maintain valid driver's license with "F" endorsement.
• Must be able to handle frequent sitting, standing, walking, and running.
• Exposure to biological hazards.
• Hearing of normal and soft tones.
• Close eye work.
• Pushing/pulling up to 150 lbs.
• Required to be certified in CPR/First Aid and trained in Handle with Care de-escalation techniques.

Pay

Starting salary for this position is approximately $18.65/hour based on relevant experience and education.

Schedule

An essential job function is a reliable, predictable 40 hour per week job, on site and in the community, with regular attendance. This position requires in person schedule with non-traditional hours.