REPORTS TO: Social-Emotional Support-Content Team Leader                        DATE: June 2018

GRADE LEVEL: 19; $15.27-$16.78
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Position Summary:

The Social-Emotional Support Resource Specialist (SES RS) is a key part of the Social-Emotional Support team. Under the direction of the Social-Emotional Support Team Leader (SES CTL), the SES RS provides comprehensive interventions to resolve problem behavior and support the development of new skills with children who have persistent challenging behavior. This position works directly with children, classroom staff, and families to develop and implement a plan of intensive, individualized intervention. The SES RS serves as a knowledgeable and competent social-emotional development and behavior intervention resource for Children’s Services.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive consultation for children with persistent challenging behavior in cooperation with teaching staff and families.
• Provide expectations and support to staff and families regarding nurturing and responsive relationships related to social-emotional development.
• Provide expectations and support to staff regarding high quality supportive environments related to social-emotional development.
• Provide expectations and support to staff regarding targeted social-emotional supports for children who require systematic and focused instruction for teaching social-emotional skills.
• Recommend appropriate strategies and techniques in the classroom to promote nurturing and responsive relationships in a high quality supportive environment.
• Encourage, empower and support classroom staff, with challenging behaviors in their classroom, through training and site visits.
• Provide group and individual training concerning behavior management and social-emotional development of young children.
• Demonstrate commitment to lifelong learning through professional development.

Work Relationships and Scope:

The SES RS serves as a member of the Social-Emotional Support team and reports directly to the SES CTL. This position also interacts regularly and cooperatively with other team members to ensure that social-emotional support is represented in all content areas by regular communication and participation in meetings and committees. In addition, the SES RS may also work collaboratively with families, and outside agencies and providers. SES RS will be a servant leader who demonstrates excellent communication skills and is accurate, timely, reliable and thorough. Building a rapport with staff and families is a must. Partnership’s mission, vision, and values must be represented at all times. SES RS must be self-directed, but able to work in a team environment.

Measure of Performance:

• Feedback surveys from teachers and parents
• Meet with SES staff to review pending intensive intervention cases (monthly).
• Compile and complete referrals (within 5 days of receipt).
• Time to answer customer/staff concerns (on-going; within 48 hours of receipt)
• Provide support and education to both staff and families (on-going).
• Provide schedule of observations to SES CTL as needed (on-going)
• Accepts feedback willingly (on-going)
• Represents the values of the Partnership in action and word (on-going)
• Acts with confidence and deliberateness (on-going)
• Maintains confidential information (on-going)

All social-emotional and behavioral concerns must be addressed in a timely and effective manner providing support and education to staff, families and children. A comprehensive Functional Behavior Assessment/Behavior Intervention Plan will be completed on children with persistent challenging behavior, based on the observation of the child and documentation from classroom staff and guardian. This may include referral to an outside mental health agency. The SES RS will communicate regularly with other members of the SES team and meet at least monthly. All documentation from visits/contacts will be made accessible to SES CTL by email or by uploading into ChildPlus.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

The SES RS must hold at least a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or related field, and have experience working with children with specialized needs. Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC) endorsement preferred. Experience providing behavior intervention for young children with challenging behaviors and their families for at least 5 years is required. General understanding of Head Start Performance Standards, Mental Health Consultation, and the care of young children is preferred. This position also requires sensitivity to the issues of low income families, orientation to details and deadlines, excellent interpersonal skills, ability to communicate effectively and professionally and with compassion, and someone who is a proficient user of digital technology to achieve results.

Working Conditions:

Work is performed in classrooms and an office setting with minimal safety issues as well as frequent travel to outside meetings and Partnership sites throughout Northern Alabama. Out of state training involving air travel may also occur. Some visits to families enrolled in the home-based option may be required. This position requires sitting, standing, bending, and minimal lifting. When assisting staff and families with challenging behaviors, there will be some exposure to dangerous/aggressive behavior of children. This position requires a valid driver’s license and a safe driving record. Background checks and drug screenings required. This position often requires crisis management with a significant caseload in a fast paced and demanding environment.

Benefits:

All full-time employees of the Partnership are provided a very generous and exceptional benefits package which includes full medical coverage managed by PEEHIP (BC/BS Plan). The agency contributes over 10% monthly to the Retirement System of Alabama on behalf of each employee.

Acknowledgement:

This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by the employee assigned to this position. It does not state or imply that these are the only duties and responsibilities assigned to the job. The employee may be required to perform other job-related duties as requested by the Content Team Leader and the Director of Children’s Services. All requirements are subject to change over time and to possible modifications to reasonably accommodate individuals with a disability.