Child Development Specialist, Early Childhood Education

Job Title:Child Development Specialist, Early Childhood EducationGrade Level/Terms of Employment:Grade 123/216 Days (11 months)FLSA Status:ExemptWork Location:City HallImmediate Supervisor:ECE Associate Director General Description: The Child Development Specialist, Early Childhood Education, oversees the implementation of trauma responsive, social, emotional, mental and behavioral health education services and programs for children in RPS's preschool program. The Specialist plans and implements developmentally appropriate curriculum and models and provides feedback on appropriate interaction skills and teaching techniques for teachers, students and parents. The Specialist also supports a broad range of other activities and programs to support student success and kindergarten readiness.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:Works in collaboration with other Child Development staff, teachers, instructional assistants, directors, and other support staff to support positive teacher-child interactions and a classroom environment that promotes each child's cognitive, social, and emotional growthWorks in collaboration with teachers, instructional assistants, and support staff to model teacher practices, strategies and techniques to support children with challenging behaviors and other social, emotional, and mental health concernsProvides orientation, training, technical assistance, and monitoring of teaching staff to facilitate the integration of mental health activities within the curriculum and to implement mental health and disabilities services plans for children and their familiesEstablishes community partnerships with mental and behavioral health agencies to facilitate family and staff access to additional resources and services, as neededEstablishes and directs a comprehensive social/emotional, mental health services delivery system that includes identifying and supporting children with mental health and social and emotional concerns and when appropriate, refers child and family for further assessment and servicesConducts classroom observations and home visits and interviews staff and collects data on children's challenging behaviors in order to provide feedback, on-going training, technical assistance and support to classroom staff and/or familiesAssists teachers and parents with completing the child behavioral checklist and enters all results into the program's databaseEnsures timely documentation in the database of all social/emotional and mental health services providedDevelops behavioral intervention plans and/or makes appropriate referrals to outside community agencies as neededTracks children referred for social/emotional and mental health services in the programs' database system to ensure services are being receivedParticipates in the development of program, family engagement, and school readiness goals to ensure social/emotional, mental and behavioral health needs are addressedPrepares required monthly reports to be submitted to the Associate Director and Director of Early ChildhoodPerforms other related duties as assigned Qualifications:Master's degree and VDOE licensure in Social Work requiredMinimum of three years of experience working with young children with challenging behaviors and families; experience working in preschool preferredExperienced in modeling/coaching appropriate and effective behavioral strategies to teachersKnowledgeable in the development and implementation of positive behavior intervention plansExcellent organizational, oral and written communication skillsBilingual skills preferredPossess of a valid driver's license and/or able to obtain a valid Virginia Driver's License within six months of employment as well as use personal vehicle HOW TO APPLY: All applicants (including RPS employees) must submit an on-line application. Please access website at: www.rvaschools.netPlease upload the following information with your application: a current resume', transcript and license if applicable.Three reference names and contact information will be required if you progress to the interview step of the selection process. Richmond Public Schools will conduct a background investigation, fingerprinting and tuberculosis screening as a condition of employment.

EOE.