Birth to Three Early Childhood Special Education Teacher

Salary: $31.85 - $36.63 Hourly
Location : Balsam Lake, WI
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 202300758
Department: Public Health Department
Opening Date: 12/12/2023
Closing Date: 1/2/2024 11:59 PM Central
Description
This position is responsible for determining child eligibility for the Birth-3 Program while providing personalized service coordination and specialized instruction services to enrich development for children with developmental delays or disabilities in accordance with DHS 90. Provides family service coordination and special instruction for clients in their home or other natural environment including the services of the early intervention team members such as speech, physical, and occupational therapists. Assures implementation of an evidence-based practice model including the primary coach approach and joint home visiting. Participates in Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) development, reviews, ongoing monitoring of services, and facilitates transitions aging out of the Birth-3 program. The work is performed under the supervision of the Public Health Director.
Duties/Responsibilities
Essential FunctionsThe following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Completes comprehensive developmental evaluation/ongoing assessments of child's needs through caregiver interviews, collateral and resource contacts, using standardized tools.
• Identifies possible resources. Provides rationale for resource preferences. Identifies goals and project timelines for goal attainment.
• Provides specialized instruction services to children and families related to a child's developmental delays to improve daily functioning in their natural environment.
• Participates in screening and evaluation functions; provides information to families with children with specials needs or delays.
• Obtains case consultation from supervisor and participate in regular unit meetings. Attends other staff meetings as scheduled.
• Provides service coordination to ensure accomplishment of client/agency goals. Provides information and referral to maximize resources of clients; documents all service contacts in designated electronic systems.
• Participates in development and review of written Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSPS) focusing on goal attainment and monitor compliance with regulations. Provides on-going monitoring and service coordination to include electronic documentation of same. Attends regular service provider staffing. Provides timely documentation of case activity and case closures.
• Utilizes available data systems. Completes daily billing records.
• Leads implementation of evidence-based practices including but not limited to Primary Coach Approach to Teaming and joint visiting with therapists and other early intervention team members. Works cooperatively with a multidisciplinary team.
• Facilitates team meetings to keep members informed of program requirements.
• Maintains knowledge of State and Federal regulations governing Birth to Three services.
• Participates in required program evaluation and quality improvement activities.
• Maintains linkages with other community professionals for coordinated service planning, advocacy, resource sharing and referral.
• Conducts child find activities as required by DHS 90.
• Facilitates transition plans and initiates referrals and transition meetings with school system and community agencies.
• Other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of typical and atypical child development and ability to implement strategies with families to support a child's optimal functioning.
• Skill in working with children with developmental delays and/or disabilities.
• Knowledge of community human service resources and means of access by people in need; familiarity with literature and current practice in the field of child development and social work.
• Ability to use interviewing methods for obtaining complete and accurate information when working with families in need of program services.
• Knowledge of administrative policies and procedures of the County.
• Knowledge of current office practices and procedures and knowledge of the operation of standard office equipment and software.
• Ability to establish and maintain accurate records of assigned activities and operations.
• Ability to interpret and implement local policies and procedures; written instructions, general correspondence; Federal, State, and local regulations.
• Skill in organizational and time management to prioritize duties to accomplish a high volume of work product while adapting to constant changes in priority.
• Ability to perform detailed work accurately and independently in compliance with stringent time limits with minimal direction and supervision.
• Ability to think quickly, maintain self-control, and adapt to stressful situations.
• Knowledge of computer software including word processing, spreadsheet and database applications consistent for this position.
• Ability to perform mathematical calculations required of this position.
• Ability to perform detailed work accurately and independently in compliance with stringent time limits with minimal direction and supervision.
• Ability to understand and effectively carry out verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to apply sound judgment and discretion in performing duties, resolving problems and interpreting policies and regulations.
• Ability to communicate detailed and often sensitive information effectively and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to handle sensitive interpersonal situations calmly and tactfully.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with individuals within and outside the organization.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion regarding business-related files, reports and conversations, within the provision of open records laws.
• Ability to work the allocated hours of the position and respond after hours as needed.

PARTICIPATES IN SELF APPRAISAL AND IN PLANNING FOR SELF DEVELOPMENT.

• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with agency staff and allied agencies.
• Assumes responsibility for one's actions.
• Attends required agency staff and in-service meetings.
• Utilizes identified strengths and weaknesses in developing annual goals.
• Attends educational programs to increase knowledge and skills service provision.
• Integrates knowledge gained form consultation, education and in-service programs into professional practice.
• Seeks and accepts supervision appropriately.

MARGINAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

• Other duties as assigned.
• Attends and participates in staff meetings.
• Responsible for knowledge of agency programs to answer general program questions, ascertain the appropriate contact within the agency or refer to an outside source in an efficient manner.
• Maintains a professional relationship with staff, peers, and upper management.
• Adheres to the policies, procedures, and work rules of the County and the Community Services Division - Public Health Department.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
None
Qualifications
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Required Education, Experience, Licensing, and Certifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Special Education.
• Possession of 808/809 DPI Teaching Licenses required or Emergency licensure with 808/809 license within 2 years of hire.
• Minimum of three (3) years related experience preferred.
• Must successfully pass criminal and caregiver background check.

Additional Information
HEALTH DEPARTMENT:
Employees of the Polk County Health Department are expected to have a working knowledge of the Council of Linkages General Public Health Domains. The degree of knowledge will be based on the position and job responsibilities. Annual self-assessment of competency levels is required of PCHD employees.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions form groups of managers, clients, customers and the general public.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
REASONING ABILITY
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to: stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell.
• The employee must: lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include: close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to: substandard housing conditions of client homes, pets, second-hand smoke, inclement weather when traveling to client homes.
• The noise level in the work environment is: occasionally noisy due to the presence of small children.

Personal Time Off (PTO): Paid time away from work that can be used for vacation, personal time, personal illness or time off to care for dependents. PTO must be scheduled in advance and have supervisory approval, except in the case of illness or emergency
*Personal Time Off (PTO) is accrued through the year
Extended Leave
Accrual at the rate of five (5) days annually (cap 20 days)
Holidays
Nine (9) paid holidays per year
(Employees working on holidays, paid over-time rate - 1 ½ times regular rate of pay)
Short-term Disability
66 2/3% weekly wages from days 30-89, at cost to employee
Term Life Insurance
One (1) times annual salary at no cost to employee
Supplemental Life available for employee, spouse, & children
Retirement - WRS
2023 rates for employees: 6.8%
Employer portion: 6.8%
Deferred Compensation
Wisconsin Deferred Compensation - three (3) options for additional retirement savings (pre-tax)
Health Insurance
Begins on the 1st of the month following date of hire
Health Partners - three (3) plan options to choose from
Other Insurances
Dental, Vision, and Long-Term Disability
Flexible Spending Account
Administered through WEX
(pre-tax dollars for medical expenses and daycare costs)
Employee Assistance Program
Health Partners confidential counseling services
Polk County values the health and well-being of our employees, offering tools and support for a healthy lifestyle. Employees selecting to participate in various programs and activities throughout the year may qualify for a monthly health insurance premium reduction. Additionally, our employees have an opportunity to earn an incentive during the year to qualify for a $55/month reduction in the following year's Polk County sponsored Health Insurance.