Infant Developmental Specialist

Fairfax County Government; Fairfax (VA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Fairfax County Government is seeking a qualified professional to support infants and toddlers with delays in social-emotional and cognitive development. You will assess eligibility, develop IFSPs, and provide direct services in home or community settings under supervision, collaborating with diverse professionals.

The role emphasizes evidence-based early intervention, family-centered planning, and maintaining compliant records while advocating for clients and families.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, nursing, counseling, education or related field; plus three years of early intervention, clinical, or teaching experience.
• Valid motor vehicle driver's license with fewer than six demerit points; must maintain throughout employment.
• Certification as Early Intervention Professional issued by DBHDS within one month of appointment.
• Multiple Virginia licenses/certifications may be required (e.g., Special Education, School Counselor, School Social Worker, Nursing, Counseling, etc.).

Responsibilities

• Assesses infants and toddlers for eligibility and develops IFSPs.
• Provides direct IFSP services in home, childcare, or community settings.
• Collaborates with direct service professionals and adapts interventions as needed.
• Maintains records according to regulations; advocates for clients.
• Develops cooperative relationships with community groups and agencies.

Skills

Infant mental health

Early intervention

Developmental delays

Evidence-based methods

Assessment skills

Record keeping

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree (psychology/social work/education)

Job description

Job Announcement

Position is located at Greenwood Plaza 12015 Route 50, Suite 200, Fairfax, VA 22033

Under direction of the Rehabilitative Services Supervisor, serves as subject matter expert for infants and toddlers with delays and disorders in social-emotional development, cognitive development (particularly sensorimotor and preoperational), atypical development including autism spectrum disorder, developmental disabilities, and behavior. Provides assessment for eligibility, assessment for service planning, development of Individualized Family Service plans, and direct services focused in typical and atypical development of social-emotional skills, cognitive skills (particularly sensorimotor and preoperational), including autism spectrum disorder, developmental disabilities, and behavior disorders and differences.

Illustrative Duties

(The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position description.)

Participates in the assessment of infants and toddlers under the parameters of the Office Special Education Programs and Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act;

Develops individualized family service plans (IFSP) with consideration given to the nature and severity of the developmental delays, family, culture, individual and family histories, physical condition, and other pertinent factors;

Provides direct IFSP services in the child's home, childcare, or other community setting targeting social-emotional development, cognitive development (particularly sensorimotor and preoperational), atypical development including autism spectrum disorder, developmental disabilities, parent-caregiver attachment, and behavior;

Collaborates with direct service professionals inside and outside of Neighborhood and Community Services;

Adapts and modifies treatments interventions as indicated;

Provides outreach and engagement services as needed;

Maintains all electronic educational and health records according to federal, state and department regulations, ensuring that records of individuals and families on their caseloads are complete, accurate and comprehensive;

Advocates on behalf of clients regarding rights and needed services;

Develops and maintains cooperative relationships with representatives of community groups and public and private agencies;

Prepares and administers educational and behavioral health educational curricula.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)

Knowledge of the principles, theories, and methods of behavioral health services, infant mental health, typical and atypical development, generalized developmental norms, and developmental delays and disabilities;

Knowledge of evidence based early intervention, behavioral health, and developmental delay treatment methods;

Knowledge of social-emotional development, cognitive development (particularly sensorimotor and preoperational), atypical development including autism spectrum disorder, developmental disabilities, and behavior;

Knowledge of functional assessment processes, methods of gathering information from families and interviewing techniques;

Knowledge of existing public and private agencies and community resources;

Ability to participate in the assessment for service planning and recommend services based on concerns, priorities, and objectives of the family;

Ability to manage a caseload;

Ability to establish rapport and maintain effective relationships with families;

Ability to maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, public and private organizations, community groups, and the public;

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;

Ability to maintain records and prepare reports.

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, nursing, counseling, education, or a related field, plus three years of early intervention, clinical, or teaching experience.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

• Valid motor vehicle driver's license with fewer than six demerit points (or equivalent in another state) at time of appointment and maintained throughout employment.
• Certification as Early Intervention Professional issued by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) within one month of appointment.
• 1. Educators licensed by the Virginia Board of Education with endorsement in one or more of the following areas: Special Education - Early Childhood (Birth to 5) -or- Early/Primary Education (Pre-K - 3) - or - Special Education - Hearing Impairments (Pre-K - 12) -or- Special Education - Visual Impairments (Pre-K - 12)- or-Adapted Curriculum (K-12) or General Curriculum (K-12),
  2. Licensed Behavior Analysts licensed by the Virginia Board of Medicine and certification with the Behavioral Analyst Certification Board as a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst,
  3. Licensure with an endorsement as a School Counselor (PreK - 12) by the Virginia Board of Education,
  4. Licensure with endorsement as a School Social Worker by the Virginia Board of Education,
  5. Licensed Clinical Social Worker by the Virginia Board of Social Work,
  6. Licensed Professional Counselor by the Virginia Board of Counseling,
  7. Licensed as Marriage and Family Therapist by the Virginia Board of Counseling,
  8. Licensed by the Virginia Board of Nursing as a registered nurse or nurse practitioner.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, a Child Protective Services Registry check, a driving record check, and sanction screening to the satisfaction of the employer. In addition, a Tuberculosis (TB) screening will be required upon hire.

Must be eligible to provide services that can be reimbursed by Medicaid in accordance with the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services requirements and the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Disabilities Services.

Must meet the requirements to be an Early Intervention Professional as set forth by the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Disability Services.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree in education, behavior analysis, mental health, counseling, social work, nursing.
• Three or more years of experience working with families, infants and toddlers, or children with special needs.
• Direct coursework, continuing education, or direct experience related to child development including: typical/atypical child development (gross motor, fine motor, cognition, social, adaptive, communication), adult learning, home visiting, play-based intervention, natural learning environment practices.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Position is active in nature. Ability to lift children and equipment up to 50 pounds. Must be able to monitor and observe the activities of program participants. Regularly moves about. Occasionally lifts, transports, positions, push/pulls or moves up to 50 pounds. Must be sufficiently mobile and possess a range of motion to perform repetitive standing, walking, balancing, stooping, bending, crouching, crawling, sitting on the floor, reaching, squatting, kneeling, and twisting. Ability to react quickly to the physical actions of program participant. Requires the ability to apply CPR and First Aid skills as needed and respond to emergency situations. Administrative and supervisory activities will require ability to operate keyboard-driven equipment. Ability to communicate verbally and in writing. Sufficiently mobile to attend meetings at various locations and make presentations to county staff and community. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:

Panel interview and may include exercise. Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others.) We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY 703-222-7314. [e-mail] EEO/AA/TTY.