Easterseals Southern California transforms lives every day. For over a century, Easterseals has championed inclusion and independence—delivering essential services like early childhood programs, autism services, employment and independent living support to more than 29,000 people each year. Through advocacy and education, we break barriers and create opportunities for the one-in-four Americans with disabilities. 

OVERVIEW OF POSITION: Under general supervision, plans, implements, evaluates and supervises a developmental learning environment for assigned children and their parents in an Early Head Start or Head Start home-based program.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTION:

• Plans, implements, evaluates and supervises a developmentally appropriate and inclusive educational curriculum, including socialization activities twice a month, for assigned children and their parents in compliance with program requirements.
• Travels weekly to child’s home (or mutually agreed location). Assesses and promotes parent-child relationships through modeling developmentally and culturally appropriate interactions, communications, and the use of materials found in the home. Collaborates with parents to provide an individualized education program for their child(ren). Provides strategies to enhance learning; provides support and encouragement to the parents to become their child’s primary, lifelong educator.
• Actively Participates in practice-based coaching model, which is provided by Easterseals.
• Assists in the active recruitment of participants, including various recruitment-specific activities. Coordinates the intake and enrollment process of participants. Maintains accurate and confidential records, documents, files and databases throughout the entire recruitment process.
• Plans and actively participates in trainings, workshops and meetings for parents and associates. Coordinates the development and implementation of Family Partnership Agreements, beginning as soon as possible and continuing over the period of enrollment, every 3 months.
• Engages in the well-being of assigned child(ren) by participating in required health, nutritional, and dental screenings, and ensuring the cleanliness of educational supplies.
• Establishes and maintains effective communication with associates, the community and social services resources in order to function as an advocate, liaison and referral source for families. Follow-up when necessary.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION:

• An AA Degree in early childhood development/education, child development, special education or in the related field with equivalent coursework consisting of twelve (12) units in Early Childhood Education or Child Development from an accredited college or university with a “C” grade or better including at least one course in each of the following core areas: A. Child/human growth and development B. Child, family, and community, or child and family relations C. Programs/curriculum
• A Child Development Permit is encouraged and, in some cases, will be required by the County.|Must meet ongoing educational requirements to qualify for child development permit/CDA requirements, if required by the position.
• Must possess and maintain current pediatric (infant/toddler) CPR and first aid certificate.
• Food handler’s certificate.
• Prior to beginning to work with children and on an annual basis, thereafter, must complete California-mandated Child Abuse Reporter Training as well as Pesticide Safety Training (per Healthy Schools Act).

EXPERIENCE:

• Training and experience necessary to develop consistent, stable and supportive relationships with very young children; must develop knowledge of infant and toddler development, safety issues in infant and toddler childcare settings (i.e., reducing the risk of SIDS).

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES:

• Ability to communicate effectively, through oral and written skills, and work cooperatively with a variety of individuals and groups. Must relate well to children and their families and maintain a positive effect.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, plan, establish and meet timelines.
• Ability to pass a post-offer physical examination and a TB test.
• Ability to travel locally; maintain driving record in compliance with Transportation Safety Standards; maintain auto insurance and vehicle registration.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a criminal record/fingerprint clearance from the Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation per Easterseals Southern California and/or program requirements. Must have sex offender index clearance.
• Ability to properly interpret and implement regulations of the California Department of Education, Funding Terms and Conditions (Title 5), Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing (Title 22), Early Head Start Performance Standards, and of Easterseals policies and procedures.
• Demonstrated proficiency with MS Office applications (e.g. Outlook, Excel, Skype).

Carrying/Lifting: Occasional / Up to 40 lbs.
Standing: Occasional / Up to 3 hours per day.
Sitting: Occasional / Up to 3 hours per day.
Walking: Occasional / Up to 3 hours per day.
Repetitive Motion/Activity: Keyboard activity, telephone use, writing.
Visual Acuity: Ability to view computer monitor and read newsprint.
Travel: Up to 20% local travel.
Environmental Exposure: Regular exposure to unpleasant or hazardous working conditions (noise, heat, dust, bodily fluids, etc.) more than 50% of work time.