Senior Child Development Specialist (#MDDZ85)
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$45,798.00 Yearly Min / $57,248.00 Yearly Mid / $68,698.00 Yearly Max

An incumbent in this class plans, develops and implements corrective instructional programs for pre-school handicapped and developmentally delayed children who possess a primary speech/language disorder.

Class incumbent receive general supervision from an administrative superior. Incumbents plan, develop and implement individual and group corrective instructional programs designed to reduce the severity or eliminate developmental delays of pre-school children who possess speech/language disorders and/or cognitive, motor and behavior disorders resulting from disease, injury or developmental delay. This class is differentiated from the Child Development Socialist class by the increased level of responsibility and independent judgment exercised in carrying out complex assignments. Work includes conducting assessments to determine the nature, extent, severity and effect of patient's problems and evaluating effectiveness of programs and patient progress. Typical contacts include health, social service and educational professionals for the purpose of case planning, referral and evaluations. A significant aspect of the work involves counseling and educating patient's families in the methods and techniques of stimulating development in the home environment.

Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class. Since class specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, incumbents can complete job duties of similar kind not specifically listed here.

• Conducts developmental assessment on pre-school handicapped and developmentally delayed children determine the nature, extent severity, and effects of the patient's disability.
   
• Plans, develops, and implements individual and group instructional therapy programs; conducts reassessments to monitor patient progress and evaluate effectiveness of programs in reducing/eliminating patient's problems.
   
• Educates, counsels, and trains patient's family to deal effectively with handicapping conditions. Makes home visits to address the needs of patients and families in the home environment.
   
• Prepares child and therapy assessment reports including therapy progress and summary reports, individual child service programs, services statistics and related correspondence.
   
• Consults with staff professionals for the purpose of integrating services. Contributes expertise in early childhood and special education to staff professionals within the clinic setting.
   
• Plans and conducts parent education programs and professional workshops.
   
• Participates in local education agency and other community service meetings for the purpose of identifying children's needs, determining appropriate educational placement  and programming or appropriate service follow-ups.
   
• Provides technical guidance to lower level staff.

The intent of the listed knowledge, skills and abilities is to give a general indication of the core requirements for all positions in the class series; therefore, the KSA’s listed are not exhaustive or necessarily inclusive of the requirements of every position in the class.

• Knowledge of the theories and methods of child development early childhood education and exceptional pre-school children.
• Knowledge of educational tests and measurements.
• Knowledge of counseling principles and practices.
• Knowledge of communication disorders and their effects on handicapped children.
• Skill in administering and interpreting educational tests.
• Skill in working with children who exhibit accompanying cognitive, behavioral and/or motor problems.
• Ability to communicate and interact effectively with handicapped pre-school children and their families.
• Ability to develop appropriate therapeutic programs.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients, families and other agency staff.

JOB REQUIREMENTS for Senior Child Development Specialist
Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:

1. Possession of a Bachelors degree or higher in Child Development, Early Childhood Education, Special Education, Speech Pathology or related field.
2. Six months experience in conducting developmental assessment on handicapped and developmentally delayed children.
3. Six months experience in case management which includes assessing, planning, developing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating options and services to meet an individuals human service needs.
4. Six months experience in planning, developing and implementing educational, promotional or recreational programs.
5. Six months experience in narrative report writing.