Developmental Specialist - bilingual

Altamiranm; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO 150–304 hours/year

Sick leave

Holidays

Winter break (paid)

Educational leave

Bereavement leave

Medical plans via BCBS

Dental coverage

Vision plan

SIMPLE IRA matched 1:1

Life and disability insurance

Mileage reimbursement

Discount program

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Job summary

Alta Mira Specialized Family Services seeks a dedicated Developmental Specialist to participate in initial and ongoing assessments for infants and toddlers, supporting families through the IFSP process and team collaboration. The role emphasizes sensitive, family-centered assessment, documentation, and holistic planning within a multi-disciplinary team.

Requirements include NM certification as Developmental Specialist 2 and 3 levels (Bachelor’s and Master’s respectively), bilingual

Qualifications

• Bilingual in Spanish and English preferred.
• Able to provide reliable transportation for home visits.
• Able to work as a trans-disciplinary team member.
• 2 years’ experience required; more than 2 years of prior Early Intervention experience preferred.
• New Mexico certification as a Developmental Specialist 2; bachelor’s degree required.
• New Mexico certification as a Developmental Specialist 3; master’s degree required.

Responsibilities

• Participate as a team member in initial and ongoing developmental assessment activities with infants and toddlers in communication, play, cognition, motor, adaptive behavior, and social/emotional skills.
• Administer, score and interpret formal testing instruments, ensuring accuracy and cultural appropriateness.
• Integrate assessment information to reflect a holistic view in written evaluation reports.
• Support supervisor in completing ECO summary forms at IFSP meetings.
• Carry out assessment procedures with sensitivity to family routines and activities.
• Collaborate with families and other staff during team assessments.
• Plan and implement an appropriate Early Intervention program through the IFSP process.
• Develop and adjust IFSP supports in collaboration with families and team members.

Skills

Bilingual Spanish-English

Reliable transportation

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

NM Developmental Specialist 2

NM Developmental Specialist 3

Job description

Please review the educational requirement below.

Overview

Alta Mira is a non-profit organization that has supported individuals with developmental or intellectual delays or disabilities, and their families, since 1985. We provide services to all age groups and support over 800 children annually through our Early Intervention Program and 1500 adults in our Family Support Services. We employ over 60 employees and 250 independent contractors. We offer schedule flexibility and rich benefits, and are recognized as one of New Mexico’s Top Workplaces for work/life balance.

This is a full-time, 40-hour-per-week position.

Benefits

• Paid Time Off – from 150 to 304 hours a year
• Paid Sick Leave - 1 hour for every 30 hours worked
• Paid Holidays – 5 holidays per year
• Winter Break – agency is closed from December 24 through New Year’s Day (paid)
• Educational Leave – 40 hours after 6 months of employment
• Bereavement Leave – up to 24 hours
• Medical – 3 plans through BCBS, premiums ranging from $0 to $159.21
• Dental – free
• Vision – VSP plan available
• SIMPLE IRA – matched 1 for 1 by the agency for the first 3% of annual pay
• Group life and Long-Term Disability – agency pays for 25K
• Individual life and Short-Term Disability – available, paid by employee
• Mileage reimbursement – $0.725 per mile for required travel during work hours
• Discount Program
• Enrollment in Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the Federal government (through the 501(c)(3) program)

Qualifications

• Bilingual in Spanish and English preferred.
• Able to provide reliable transportation for home visits.
• Able to work as a trans-disciplinary team member.
• 2 years’ experience required; more than 2 years of prior Early Intervention experience preferred.
• New Mexico certification as a Developmental Specialist 2; bachelor’s degree required.
• New Mexico certification as a Developmental Specialist 3; master’s degree required.
• Current New Mexico driver’s license, or ability to arrange transportation to meet agency needs.

Responsibilities

1. Participate as a team member in initial and on-going developmental assessment activities with infants and toddlers in the areas of communication, play, cognition, fine and gross motor skills, adaptive behavior, and social/emotional skills.
2. Administer, score and interpret formal testing instruments as appropriate, ensuring procedures are accurate, reliable, and culturally, linguistically, and developmentally appropriate.
3. Integrate informal assessment, behavioral observation, developmental history and information regarding routines with formal testing information to reflect a holistic view in the written evaluation report.
4. Review written evaluation reports and provide feedback to the supervisor regarding assessment information, grammar, spelling, and overall content.
5. Support supervisor in completing ECO summary forms at initial IFSP and subsequent IFSP meetings.
6. Carry out assessment procedures in a sensitive manner respecting the family’s routines and activities.
7. Participate in eligibility determination.
8. Collaborate with families and other staff during team assessments.
9. Participate in planning an appropriate Early Intervention program for each child and family through the IFSP process (initial and subsequent reviews).
10. Actively participate with team members and parents in IFSP development (initial and annual) and reviews.
11. Partner with the family and other team members to develop individualized strategies that incorporate the family’s routines and activities.
12. Partner with the family and other team members to determine the best supports and services needed to help the family achieve outcomes.
13. Build relationships with children and families to support a working partnership to accomplish IFSP goals.
14. Ensure Special Instruction services start within 30 days of the IFSP meeting; document reasons if services do not start within 30 days.
15. Ensure that Special Instruction services are delivered according to the IFSP; document any missed visits or gaps in services and reasons.
16. Utilize listening, observation, and interviewing skills to identify family perceptions of their child’s abilities, strengths and needs.
17. Support the family as the primary decision-maker and promote their knowledge, skills, and confidence in outcomes for their child.
18. Build on family strengths to design and implement individualized, naturalistic, family-centered interventions.
19. Respond to family needs for changes in their program (placement, attendance, transportation, and other service delivery issues).
20. Share accurate information on developmental skills based on observations and tools with parents.
21. Demonstrate awareness of the impact of disability on development and assist parents in gaining information on etiology, characteristics, and classifications of common disabilities.
22. Model strategies to support learning and encourage access to community resources.
23. Assist parents in anticipating next steps in development.
24. Provide appropriate community resources and information when requested.
25. Observe, reinforce and nurture the caregiver–infant/toddler relationship to promote health, language, and cognitive development.
26. Support and facilitate family and child interactions as primary contexts for learning and development; ensure interventions are embedded in daily activities.
27. Collaborate with team members to promote optimal child and family development without duplication or gaps and attend team or staff meetings.
28. Refer to and consult with other disciplines as needed to coordinate a comprehensive approach for each child and family.
29. Monitor progress through observation and consultations with team members; adjust IFSP supports as needed.
30. Work with the team and family to ensure IFSP supports are appropriate and advocate for changes to meet unique needs.
31. Follow program procedures regarding documentation, billing, data, and timelines; provide support and/or consultation to community providers as appropriate.
32. Serve as a consultant and resource to community settings regarding child development and inclusion strategies; maintain alignment with family priorities in other settings.
33. Promote and articulate the role and knowledge base of the developmental specialist to service providers and support inclusion of all young children and their families in community activities.

Documentation and Billing notes are to be completed per EI procedures, including timely submission of logs and adherence to guidelines for billing and data management. Ensure all equipment is returned in good condition and perform other duties as required or assigned.

At Alta Mira Specialized Family Services, we value the diversity of our workforce and actively seek opportunities to incorporate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) within our agency. We believe a diverse workforce enriches our environment and helps us better meet the needs of our employees, customers, and providers. We remain committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce and retaining high-performing employees who work collaboratively to carry out the agency's purpose.

Alta Mira Specialized Family Services is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Women, minorities, people with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.