Inclusion Support Specialist - Southwest Region
Description:
OCALI is a recognized global leader in creating and connecting resources and relationships to ensure that people with disabilities have the opportunity to live their best lives for their whole lives. OCALI inspires change and promotes access to opportunities for people with disabilities. OCALI informs public policy and develops and deploys practices grounded in linking research to real life. We are seeking an Inclusion Support Specialist to support the Southwest region of Ohio for the Center for the Young Child’s Early Childhood Inclusion Center of Excellence. OCALI offers a competitive salary, benefits, and retirement package.
An Inclusion Support Specialist is primarily responsible for providing outreach, coaching, and technical assistance to child care and other early childhood professionals and families of young children to ensure that professionals are highly qualified to support young children of all abilities as they engage and actively participate in early care and education settings.
Responsibilities and Essential Functions:
- Build home- and center-based early childhood professionals’ skills and capacity to implement inclusive strategies for children with all needs in their settings through observations, in the moment skills coaching, and technical assistance related to adaptations and modifications
- Collaborate with internal and external partners to develop professional development and trainings to enhance awareness and knowledge of inclusive practices, assistive technology and accessible educational materials (AT/AEM)
- Conduct training, outreach, and coaching activities online and face-to-face to early childhood professionals and families
- Effectively work within OCALI and collaborate across OCALI’s Early Childhood Center of Excellence, AT/AEM Center, and Lending Library
- Complete required agency reporting on time and accurately
- Actively participate in required meetings, training, and professional development, including state credentialing and certification as applicable
- Effectively work with cross-agency professionals involved in programming and services for young children with special needs
- Other duties as assigned
Minimum Qualifications:
- A minimum of a bachelor's degree in early childhood, Early Childhood Special Education, Child Development, Child Psychology, or closely related field
- Understanding of Individual Family Service Plans (IFSPs) and Individual Education Programs (IEPs)
- At least 3 years working with teachers/staff in a licensed, regulated, or public-school child care or educational program(graduate work may be substituted for 1 year)
- Experience providing professional development, technical assistance, and mentoring or coaching to others
- Pass agency required background checks and onboarding requirements
- Experience and skill working with diverse populations
- Successful implementation of trauma-informed strategies
- Conscientious use of justice, equity, and inclusion lens when working with self and others
- Successful at working with multiple teams simultaneously
- Ability to work some weekends and nights
- Ability to travel throughout region
Preferred Qualifications:
- An advanced degree or equivalent work experience in Early Childhood Development, Early Childhood Special Education, Speech-Language Pathology, Occupational Therapy or related field
What’s in it for you?
OCALI offers excellent benefits and retirement packages, including eligibility in SERS/STRS, as well as access to:
- A mission-driven, innovative, and growing team (more opportunities are coming!)
- Health and vision insurance
- Paid time off and generous holiday schedule
- Flexible and fast-paced work environment
- Professional learning opportunities
Salary:
Commensurate with experience and in accordance with specified salary schedule.
Reports to:
Center for the Young Child Program Director
Application Procedure:
Please complete the employment application through www.escco.org.