Pediatric Developmental Specialist-Special Educator, Early Support for Infants & Toddlers Program (F

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

Founded in 1979 by a group of dedicated, hands-on, and highly regarded pediatric therapists, Children’s Therapy Center is on a mission to maximize the potential of children with disabilities. We partner with families to celebrate where each child is today and work together toward who they can become. We offer family-centered early child developmental services including physical, occupational, and speech therapy, as well as play-based, child-led early childhood special education. For more than four decades, our commitment has endured through strong partnerships, thoughtful innovation, and care that centers each child and family.

Children’s Therapy Center is seeking an experienced Developmental Specialist-Special Educator to join our Early Support for Infants & Toddlers (ESIT) Team, serving our Kent, Washington service area. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of early childhood development and provide special instruction for infants and toddlers ages birth to 3. Educators and Developmental Specialists administer assessments for cognitive, social-emotional and adaptive delays as part of the early support developmental assessment team. They provide services in natural environments, including individualized instruction in the home and community settings. A primary focus of the program is empowering parents/caregivers and children. Parents/caregivers are active participants in all sessions. Our ideal candidate should have a deep passion for serving children and their families in our community.

Primary Responsibilities

· Participate as a member of a multi-disciplinary team to conduct family-centered, strengths-based screenings, evaluations, and ongoing assessments to inform eligibility determination and contribute to full evaluation report.

· Understand and educate parents and caregivers on the wide range of children’s development across individual, cultural, and community differences.

· Provide caregivers with culturally relevant support in the home, natural environment and/or telehealth, utilizing a coaching model that promotes health, well-being, and development of the whole child.

· Coach parents and caregivers to support culturally relevant routines that promote health, well-being, and development of the child.

· As part of the ESIT team, collaborate with caregivers to develop and/or implement the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) that supports healthy racial, cultural, gender, socio-economic and disability identity for children and caregivers.

· Develop strong relationships with caregivers and work collaboratively with community members and multi-disciplinary ESIT team to meet family's needs.

· Participate as an active member of the ESIT team during team meetings, staffing, in-services, peer coaching/consultation.

· Demonstrates ability to embrace, integrate and adapt to cultural, racial, linguistic, ethnic, and socio-economic diversity into the daily curriculum by partnering with families and caregivers to incorporate and value aspects of language and traditions into the daily routine.

· Values and promotes relationships between caregivers and children by fostering warm/healthy attachments and interactions.

· As a member of a multi-disciplinary team, responsible for ensuring compliance with Children’s Therapy Center’s, IDEA Part B & C’s processes, policies, and timelines.

Demonstrable experience and other qualifications:

· Bachelor’s degree in education, early childhood education, child development, child and family studies, or related field, is required – OR – current Washington State teaching certificate.

· Early Childhood Ed or Special Education endorsement is a plus

· Graduate of an accredited Education program, with a Master’s degree is a plus

· Must have or have the ability to obtain the Washington State’s Early Support for Infants & Toddlers Developmental Specialist Credential as a condition of employment (ESIT Credential Application)

· Current CPR and First Aid certification, required

· Strong communication skills, including the ability to convey thoughts and express ideas effectively using various oral, written, visual, and/or non-verbal skills.

· Effective listening skills, including the ability to recognize, comprehend and appreciate various perspectives and diverse points of view.

· Organized and detail oriented, with the ability to organize work to meet various commitments and responsibilities.

· Ability to anticipate potential challenges, and adjust to changes as needed.

· Collaborative and participatory; serves as an active member of the team, inviting diverse perspectives to support organizational priorities and common goals.

· Demonstrated ability to include, value, respect, and engage perspectives that cross cultural backgrounds, lived experiences, and diverse points of view.

· Strong decision-making skills, including the ability to complete duties factoring appropriate or relevant details, considerations, and input from all individuals impacted.

· Consciously and intentionally operates with self-awareness; consistently seeking opportunities to learn and grow in proactive and respectful ways.

· Experience working with infants and toddlers with developmental disabilities; including those with feeding and sensory processing challenges.

· Knowledge of non-vocal communication; sign language skills are a plus.

· Strong word processing and proficient with MS Word and Outlook.

· Valid Washington State driver’s license and valid automobile insurance including access to reliable personal transportation.

Schedule:

This position operates onsite, in-person Monday-Friday and is available full-time 40 hour per week.

Compensation & Benefits:

Children’s Therapy Center offers equitable and competitive pay commensurate with job-related experience and education. The pay rate range for this position is $29.97-$57.57

Our comprehensive benefits package includes generous paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and continuing education benefits. Supplemental/premium insurance options are also available. Eligible employees can enroll in our retirement plan with their first paycheck and will be eligible for employer contributions after their first year of employment.

Children’s Therapy Center is an equal opportunity employer. We seek to hire candidates that reflect diverse backgrounds, beliefs and cultural histories. We continually seek to understand, acknowledge and appreciate our differences, engaging with an attitude of respectful curiosity, and a growth-mindset. We believe everyone has the right to be respected and valued.

Consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, and our values, Children’s Therapy Center provides all employees and applicants with equal opportunity in all aspects of the employment relationship including consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, genetic information, or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a disabled person.