Early Intervention Developmental Specialist - $1,500 Sign-on Bonus!

Job Location: Northern Berkshire County
Job Type: Full Time/37.5 hours
$1,500 Sign-on Bonus!

Are you a child educator with a 4 year degree passionate about working with infants and toddlers while supporting and empowering families? We are seeking an Early Intervention Developmental Specialist to provide screening and assessments and therapeutic developmental services to children served in the early intervention program, in individual group settings, or play therapy sessions using a family centered, coaching approach. These children are between the ages of birth and three years whose development is at risk by certain biological or environmental factors.

• Developmental Specialist Responsibilities

  • Offer therapeutic and developmental services in settings chosen by families, partnering with them
  • Empower families to advocate for their child’s needs/rights
  • Provide education and guidance on child development, parenting, and community resources
  • Instruct parents in implementing developmental activities, emphasizing understanding of activity principles and community resource utilization
  • Prepare and submit child assessment and progress notes per program policies
  • Participate in trans-disciplinary teams for developmental assessments and record observations
  • Serve on intake teams to inform families about the Early Intervention program and address inquiries
  • Contribute to Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) teams, explaining the process, setting goals, and establishing service plans
  • Act as a case manager, ensuring IFSP goals are met and providing oversight
  • Assist with transition planning before program discharge

Benefits include:

• Sign on bonus program
• Professional development support including professional license renewal and memberships up to $500 annually
• Medical, dental and vision insurance after first month of employment
• Earn two weeks vacation in first year of employment, three week rate after first year
• Three personal days per year
• Earn up to seven sick days per year
• 403(b) retirement program with company match after one year
• Mileage reimbursement
• May quality you for student loan forgiveness 
• Employee referral program and more! 

About Us:
UCP of Western Massachusetts offers a variety of community programs and services for persons with disabilities and other similar service needs, including Assistive Technology, Early Intervention, Individual and Family Support, and Adult Family Care. We are COA accredited and guided by a set of core principles - Respect, Integrity, Communication, and Empathy. Our team is dedicated to providing a "Life Without Limits" for people with differing abilities, seeking a motivated and talented individual who shares our commitment to these principles to join us in our mission. Learn more at http://ucpwma.org

Developmental Specialist Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in one of the following disciplines AND 300+ hours of practicum or work experience with children birth to 5:
• Social Work
• Education
• Special Education
• Interdisciplinary Studies
• Sociology
• Psychology 
• All non-educational or developmental majors also require at least 4 3-credit courses that focus on infant, toddlers, and/or families 
• Certification as an Early Intervention Specialist by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH), or ability to achieve full certification within two years of hire. 
• Experience with family therapy, behavioral change programs, autistic population, parenting concerns and issues. 
• Ability to design and facilitate developmental playgroups, parent support groups/sibling groups, etc. 
• Familiarity with child development, specialized treatment approaches to families of disabled children (i.e. grief therapy, crisis intervention, group facilitation, individual and group counseling, family dynamics, psychosocial development, family adaption’s, community and financial resources). 
• Ability to maintain CPR/First Aid certification for children/infants
• Maintain valid driver's license, current auto insurance, availability of a private vehicle.
• Must be able to climb, stoop, get up and down from floors, sit on floors for varying periods of time, reach with hands and arms as well a lift and move up to 40 pounds.
• A negative Mantoux TB test or a clear chest x-ray
• Evidence of immunity for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
• Must have an acceptable CORI, SORI, DPPC and National Fingerprint Check.