Grant Wood AEA logo

Child Support Specialist

Reports to: Regional Administrator
Date: August 2003

Classification: Contracted

Job Summary:

Partners with educators, families and communities to provide effective learning environments for all students. Helps ensure success for all learners. Provides information and support to families of young children at family and community health alliance clinics and other community outreach sites. Coordinates development of additional screening sites. Provides information and support to staff in community who have contact with young children and their parents.

Qualifications:

  1. Bachelor's degree in early childhood education, child development or related area.
  2. Two years of successful experience working with young children or providing information and support to families.

Essential Functions:

  1. Supports total school/community efforts to create a positive learning environment for students/children.
  2. Serves as liaison among AEA, district building(s), families and community and collaborates with various teams to assure positive outcomes for all learners.
  3. Models, implements and assesses strategies related to learning, social, emotional and behavioral needs to enhance educational programming for all learners.
  4. Provides ongoing support to educational staff related to applicable rules and laws.
  5. Integrates research into the design of best practices.
  6. Consults with teachers and administrators regarding best practices for classroom and building educational programs.
  7. Follows policies, procedures, standards and rules in accordance with national and state laws, the Iowa Dept of Education and GWAEA, which includes, but is not limited to, developing and maintaining proper and adequate records and documentation.
  8. Provides information and support to families regarding young childxs development and appropriate activities and strategies.
  9. Participates in developmental screening of young children at clinic and other sites using informal and formal measures.
  10. Links parents with community resources for children needing additional evaluation or services.
  11. Provides inservice to community staff who have contact with young children and their parents.
  12. Supports and accommodates collaborative community needs.
  13. Develops additional community screening sites.

Additional Responsibilities:

  1. Participates in projects, committees or activities to support the Agencyxs mission, goals and priorities.
  2. Demonstrates self-discipline and initiative to produce high-quality, organized and dependable results.
  3. Conveys a positive and professional image to staff and public.
  4. Handles information in a confidential manner in accordance with established policies and legal requirements (FERPA, HIPAA, etc).
  5. Pursues professional growth opportunities and relationships to keep current with and influence educational directions.
  6. Observes and interacts with young children, with modeling for parents.
  7. Performs such other duties as may be assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

  1. Ability to communicate effectively and maintain effective working relationships.
  2. Ability to function effectively as a team member and work collaboratively with others and independently as appropriate.
  3. Ability and willingness to be flexible and respond to the changing needs of clients and the Agency.
  4. Ability to integrate educational theory, research and expertise into appropriate practices for local contexts, in a service style that facilitates positive change and continuous improvement.
  5. Effective presentation and group facilitation skills.
  6. Ability to use data to make educationally sound decisions.
  7. Knowledge of best practices in curriculum, instruction and assessment.
  8. Knowledge of applicable rules and laws that govern educational decisions.
  9. Ability to read and interpret documents, write reports and correspondence, and apply appropriate mathematical concepts.
  10. Ability to use and integrate technology appropriately in daily work which includes, but is not limited to, efficient operation of telephone and voice mail systems and application of basic computer skills to effectively use e-mail, internet and word processing.
  11. Knowledge of special needs and early childhood development.
  12. Understanding of parenting styles.
  13. Ability to adapt and exercise flexibility regarding internal and external client schedules, work environments, and family and cultural issues.

Physical Requirements:

  1. Ability to travel between schools/sites served.
  2. Ability to transport materials (up to 35 lbs) needed to provide appropriate services.
  3. Above normal levels of various floor activities when working with children.
  4. Normal, routine levels of activity related to bending, carrying, climbing, hearing, lifting, reaching, sitting, standing, vision and walking, and may also involve above-average levels of activity at times that can't always be anticipated.

    5. EOE/M-F-H-V