Special Programs Specialist

Company: Head Start
Location: Texas City
Posted on: April 30, 2021

Job Description:

Lutheran Social Services of the South, Inc. dba Upbring

Equal Employment Opportunity/M/F/disability/protected veteran status.

Special Programs SpecialistUS-TX-Texas CityJob ID: 2020-4329Type: Regular Full-Time# of Openings: 1Category: Head StartHead StartOverviewDevelops, coordinates, and implements trauma-informed practices in the schools. Works with administrative, instructional, and non-instructional staff, to implement evidence-based trauma-informed systems to reduce re-traumatization, promote student resilience and increase positive academic and non-academic outcomes for students. Establishes a comprehensive trauma-informed approach to address both preventative and responsive measures for students. Ensures that existing school and community resources are utilized to work with students identified as being exposed to trauma. Provides training and technical consultation to school staff and leadership on evidence-based practices and strategies. Works with instructional staff and service providers with the goal and objective of assisting special education students and tracking their progress. Upbring is classified as an essential business by the state because the services we provide are critical to the wellbeing of thousands of children and families. Our Upbring staff members are servant-leaders on the pursuit of breaking the cycle of child abuse and empowering others to do the same through example while embodying our core values: We are Warriors. We are Servants. We are Family.This position services Tarrant County and surrounding areas.ResponsibilitiesWe Are Warriors - We Set the Standards for Child EducationWork Standards

• Provides leadership for the development and promotion of trauma-awareness to promote trauma-informed and strength-based approaches in schools
• Provides training on trauma-awareness and evidence-based approaches to families, Family Engagement Advocates, Center Directors, Education Coaches, and teaching staff
• Models specific strategies and provides technical consultation for Family Engagement Advocates, Center Directors, Education Coaches, and all teaching staff to use to support the learning needs of students who have experienced trauma
• Provides status reports to director inclusive of progress and developments for students in the program
• Attends and provides training and coaching sessions in evidence-based trauma-informed practices
• Attend Admission, Revision, and Dismissal (ARD) meeting
• Fulfill role as mandated reporter as stated in Child Abuse and Neglect Policy
• Ability to follow the Office Head Start CLASS Methodology
• Attend all professional development
• Perform other activities and duties as assignedCommunication Enter progress notes on identified studentsCompletes student observations and provides feedback We Are Servants- We Help OthersTeamwork
  • Works collaboratively with the school instructional and non-instructional staff to implement a comprehensive trauma-informed approach to address both preventative and responsive measures for students
  • Works with area leaders, service providers and school leadership staff to ensure that policies and procedures reflect an understanding of the role of trauma in student behaviors and to track progress of goals and objectives for children
  • Develop and maintain strong working relationships and partnerships with program leadership, management, and staff to ensure students and family's needs and program goals and objectives are being met
  • Work closely with the Superintendent, Assistant Superintendents, Area Directors, Center Leadership, and Corporate Human Resources to ensure Head Start regulations, licensing standards, and Agency policies and practices are managed and administered properly and efficiently and support the needs of Head Start We Are Family - We Are Passionate & Compassionate Building Relationships
    • Serves as liaison and technical consultant to schools, area office, agencies, advocates, parents, and students regarding facilitating trauma-informed practices
    • Provides liaison and technical consultation to schools to develop and implement trauma-informed behavioral health assessments and interventions for students
    • Work as a team player and exhibit professional behavior and a positive attitude with both internal and external clients that reflects positively on the Agency and is consistent with Agency policies and practices
    • Actively participate in exhibiting cultural awareness and sensitivity when interacting with children, parent(s)/guardian(s), staff, and the communityQualificationsQualificationsMinimum Qualifications
      • Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in education, special education, psychology, counseling, or related field
      • One or more years of professional experience in counseling, special education, psychology, education, or related experience
      • Experience in Early Childhood Education setting
      • Working knowledge in Special Education process
      • Working knowledge of evidence-based trauma informed practices.
      • Ability to use sound judgement and always maintain confidentially
      • Strong verbal communication and presentation skills with the ability to positively convey a message
      • Ability to adapt training techniques and adult learning theory to various groups (different learning styles)
      • Demonstrated knowledge of current social, educational, and economic issues as they relate to rural families
      • Demonstrated knowledge of behavioral and mental health services for children
      • Strong interpersonal and people skills with the ability to work independently within a team environment and with a diverse group of people
      • Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook Preferred Qualifications
        • Master's degree from an accredited college or university in education, special education, psychology, counseling, or related field.
        • Two or more years in professional experience organizing or implementing trauma-informed and evidence-based prevention and intervention services.
        • Experience in Applied Behavioral AnalysisPhysical Demands & Work Conditions
          • This position requires frequent standing, sitting, walking, and using a computer for long periods of time
          • Position works in a child facility and has constant exposure to children
          • Lift, push, pull, move up to 50 lbs. The physical requirements for this position with or without reasonable accommodation are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this position successfully. While performing this position the employee with or without reasonable accommodation should have the ability to walk, stand, sit, kneel, speak, and hear with aid, see, read, reach with arms and hands, lift and/or move up to specified weight, and use equipment that is essential to performing the job, such as a computer, copier, fax machine, telephone, and automobile, if applicable. Specific vision requirements of this position may include color vision, seeing things close up, and the ability to adjust focus. AgreementThe statements herein indicate the general nature and essential duties and responsibilities of work performed by an employee in this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job. Management may assign or reassign duties and responsibilities of the job and may request the employee to perform other duties and responsibilities not listed at his/her discretion. This job description is not a contract between the employee occupying the position and the employer. Upbring is an at-will employer. Equal Employment Opportunity/M/F/disability/protected veteran status. If the day-to-day work I perform differs significantly from the above outlined essential duties, it is my obligation to inform my supervisor and/or Organizational DevelopmentPI132576030

Keywords: Head Start, Texas City , Special Programs Specialist, Other , Texas City, Texas