Special Educator

Come join a team that is making a difference in our Community!

Benefits of working at WCA:

• 100% Employer paid Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short Term Disability and Long Term Disability Polices.
• Employer pays 80% of individual Medical Insurance Premium.
• 15 paid Holidays.
• 10 days of vacation in first year of employment.
• 3.69 hours of sick time accrued per pay period.
• 8% retirement match after 1 year and 1000 hours of service
• Mileage reimbursement

Salary Range Based on Experience Level: $45,261 to 48,422 per year.

Westmoreland Community Action (WCA) is a non-profit organization that works to improve individuals and families quality of life and reduce poverty in the community.

POSITION SUMMARY: The primary responsibility is to assure that children enrolled at Westmoreland Community Action Head Start, diagnosed with special needs, receive appropriate services as mandated by state and federal law.

Scope and Impact:

Responsible for monitoring the Head Start children with special needs enrolled in their assigned centers, that they are identified and enrolled in the appropriate support system.

SOME RESPONSIBILITIES:

The following services will be provided by the professional in his/her function as Special Educator:

A. Core Capacity

• Describe the Head Start Program to contacts made in the community in order to achieve public awareness of the program.
• Participate in the maintenance of supplies and equipment.
• Participate in the child-tracking system and record keeping.
• Receive and upload copies of referrals, evaluations, Individual Education Programs and Treatment Plans to the Child-Plus Database.
• Follow all federal and state regulations in regard to Head Start children with special needs and their families.
• Support Teachers/Family Advocates with setting target goals for children who have been referred for evaluation, so that supports are in place, to the maximum extent possible, during the interim period while the local LEA determines eligibility.
• Ensure that all children with disabilities, including but not limited to those who are eligible for IDEA services, and their families receive all applicable program services and are able to participate fully in all program activities.

B. Screening, Assessment and Diagnosis

• Review the results of the individual screening for each enrolled child in assigned centers who may have a special need.
• Administer developmental assessments as needed and gather information about children who may have special needs.
• Forward referrals to the appropriate agency.
• Function as a member of the IEP team for each child.
• Attend multidisciplinary team meetings as needed.
• Provide feedback of the results of the evaluation to staff, parents, and all appropriate persons who provide services to the child.

C. Services

• Be part of the team which develops, updates and revises the Individual Education Program according to Federal and State mandates.
• Monitor Special Education services to identified children according to the Individual Education Program.
• Provide consultation to staff and parents and hold meetings as requested.

D. Training

• Participate in assessing the training needs of the Head Start staff in the area of special education services.
• Refer children and parents to community agencies in order to gain needed services.
• Provide parents and teachers of children with special needs appropriate literature pertaining to the needs of their child.
• Assist parents in the understanding and being actively involved in the services provided to their child.
• Assist the parents in understanding and utilizing parent and child rights according to state and federal regulations, that they may be advocates for their children.
• Encourage parents to maintain records of all child services.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND/OR SKILLS:

• Special Education degree or equivalent is required.
• Pre-school teaching experience is preferred.
• Valid PA driver’s license and insurance as mandated by the agency.
• Act 33 and Act 34 Clearances.

To competently provide the services listed in the service description, the most important skills required are as follows:

• Knowledge to obtain objective specific assessment of children’s developmental levels and behavior.
• Knowledge of specific disabilities.
• Knowledge of when it is appropriate to refer a child for further evaluation.
• Knowledge about managing children’s behaviors as well as helping children to develop appropriate behaviors and social skills.
• The ability to provide understanding and support to parents concerning the child’s disability, special class placement and working with teachers, therapists and administrators.

Westmoreland Community Action is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce that reflects our community and those that we seek to serve. If you, in good faith, believe that you are qualified to succeed in this position, we encourage you to apply.

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance