] Office of Human Resources - Montgomery County Public Schools

OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT → CLASSIFICATION → PROGRAM SPECIALIST, INFANTS AND TODDLERS

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Program Specialist, Infants and Toddlers

MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS CLASS DESCRIPTION
OFFICIAL TITLE: Sp Ed Elem Prgrm Spec CODE: 1024 SQ/OQ: Not Applicable
WORKING TITLE: Program Specialist, Infants and Toddlers GRADE: AD MONTHS: 10
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF CLASSIFICATION: Under direction, the program support specialist assists in managing the day-to-day operation of the Montgomery County Infants and Toddlers Program, serving children, birth to four who have developmental delays. The program support specialist consults with staff (teachers, therapists, parent educators, and para educators) and provides direct support regarding curricular, procedural, developmental, behavioral, and transitional issues related to infants and toddlers and their families, and to site teams. Provides professional development to staff, and interfaces with other MCITP sites and staff.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION STANDARDS
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Thorough knowledge of federal and state legislation and due process procedures related to the provision of services to infants and toddlers with developmental delays; typical development of children, ages birth to four years; thorough knowledge of atypical development and early intervention best practices to address developmental delays; the range of services available to children with developmental delays and prekindergarten transition options; ability to assist staff in identifying problems and generating solutions to address the learning needs of infants and toddlers with developmental delays; ability to handle multiple tasks at a time; excellent organizational skills for managing child and family information, developing schedules, and providing support at multiple countywide sites; knowledge of prekindergarten curriculum, legal issues; professional, paraprofessional improvement plans and professional standards; knowledge of special education online tools. Excellent communication and human relations skills.
EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE: Master's degree or master¿s equivalency from an accredited college/university with emphasis in early childhood special education. Background in early childhood human development, developmental disabilities, and working with parents/families. Minimum of three years experience as a special educator or related service provider. Experience in early intervention desirable. Experience working with site-based and central office staff administrators and service providers preferred. Experience designing and delivering staff training required. Other combinations of applicable education, training and experience that provide the knowledge, abilities and skills necessary to perform effectively in the position may be considered.
CERTIFICATE AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: Meets Maryland state certification requirements for an advanced professional certificate for special education teacher or related services provider certification for early childhood special education preferred.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: (Special requirements such as lifting heavy objects and frequent climbing.) As required by the duties and responsibilities of the job.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: (Frequent overtime or night work required, etc.) Use of personal vehicle required. Frequent night work; daily or weekly countywide travel; 20 duty days required during the summer
OVERTIME ELIGIBLE: No

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Works with MCITP staff to plan for delivery of services to infants and toddlers through a family-centered coaching model.
Assists staff with developing Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSP) that meet child and family needs and priorities.
Provides professional development to staff in developing functional outcomes, using the on-line IFSP, assessing children birth to four, using Child Outcome Summaries, and other training related to the provision of services to children and families.
Assists staff in preparing families for the transition to prekindergarten special education services, utilizing knowledge of prekindergarten services and special education processes.
Responds to parental concerns.
Assists staff in locating, selecting, and accessing appropriate materials and equipment for provision of services.
Assists staff in interpreting assessment results for the purposes of eligibility for early intervention and prekindergarten services.
Assists staff in solving problems related to the provision of services, and in accessing resources to support families.
Assists the coordinator in observing staff and in providing recommendations for the provision of best practices in early intervention that meet MCPS standards for Infants and Toddlers providers, according to the Professional Growth System.
Observes children in natural environments, such as homes and childcare settings, to assist staff in planning for and implementing coaching strategies to meet child and family needs.
Ensures that timelines required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Code of Maryland (COMAR) are met by all staff, and collects and analyzes data as evidence of compliance.
Participates in Individualized Education Program (IEP) team meetings
Assists in developing appropriate group services for toddlers, based upon individual child and family needs.
Assists in developing community-based partnerships in order to provide comprehensive services within the natural environment.
Performs related work as required.

Class Established: 5/02
Date(s) Revised: 6/2012
Last Reviewed:

This description may be changed at any time.