Early Childhood Behavior Specialist

Status

Full time

Department

Child Development

Description

JOB FUNCTION:

The Early Childhood Behavior Specialist will support the Special Services Manager and Mental Health Consultant with meeting and exceeding Head Start Performance Standards and providing support to teachers, children and families.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• The Early Childhood Specialist reviews and provides feedback to teachers on Challenging Behavior Incident Reports.
• The Early Childhood Specialist schedules and participates in case reviews for any child who has 5 or more Incident Reports related to their behavior in a 1-month period.
• The Early Childhood Specialist possesses excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to handle emotionally charged situations calmly.
• The Early Childhood Specialist has strong knowledge of a variety of classroom management strategies and is able to share and role model these to classrooms in need of suggestions.
• The Early Childhood Specialist has the ability to present to large and small groups to conduct workshops and trainings.
• The Early Childhood Specialist has the ability to communicate (written and verbal) effectively with staff, parents and professionals within the community.
• The Early Childhood Specialist works cooperatively with MVCAA staff and the Mental Health Consultant to support children with challenging behaviors and their families through both general observations as well as child and adult mental health referrals.
• The Early Childhood Specialist supports and assists with the monitoring of the need, completion, and execution of behavior plans that have been established by the Mental Health Consultant.
• The Early Childhood Specialist works collaboratively with the Mental Health Consultant to verify hours of service and submit to fiscal for payment.
• The Early Childhood Specialist is knowledgeable of community resources related to mental health for children and families.
• The Early Childhood Specialist assists with data entry, collection and analysis.
• The Early Childhood Specialist understands and supports program School Readiness goals and objectives.
• The Early Childhood Specialist attends as needed Committee on Special Education Meetings.
• The Early Childhood Specialist understands, generates and documents in-kind and other allowable costs applied toward the non-federal share requirement.
• The Early Childhood Specialist adheres to agency personnel policies and procedures.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Performs other duties as assigned to ensure the successful execution of the program.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Child Life or Early Childhood Education preferred or an Associates in Early Childhood Education with a minimum of 3 years’ experience.
• Good communication and advocacy skills.
• Willing and able to travel to all Head Start sites, trainings, visits, etc. as necessary and requested.
• Background check, fingerprint clearance and annual physical exam and TB.
• Ability to relate to people from varied backgrounds.