Special Education Consultant - Head Start Baltimore City

The Y in Central Maryland; Baltimore (MD); Sur place; USD 65 000 - 90 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Flexible schedules

Paid time off

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision benefits

Retirement plan

Career advancement

Résumé du poste

The Y in Central Maryland is seeking a Special Education Consultant to ensure inclusive learning environments for children with developmental needs within Head Start programs. You will perform observations, assessments, and consultations to support individualized learning plans and family engagement.

Join a mission-driven team focused on early childhood development, inclusive practices, and collaboration with families, teachers, and community partners across multiple sites.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field may be considered.
• Two years of experience supporting young children with disabilities is preferred.
• Experience with IEPs, IFSPs, accommodations, and inclusive practices.

Responsabilités

• Conduct observations, assessments, and review records including IEPs/IFSPs.
• Collaborate with families and teams to implement individualized supports.
• Coordinate referrals and transitions across Head Start and other settings.
• Maintain accurate case notes and confidential records.
• Provide coaching, training, and technical assistance to staff and families.

Connaissances

Special education

Family collaboration

Observation & assessment

IEP/IFSP knowledge

Documentation & reporting

Formation

Bachelor’s degree in special education

Outils

COPA system

Description du poste

Overwhelmingly, people who decide they want to be a part of the Y in Central Maryland tell us they do so because it reflects their values and a conscious decision, they’ve made about how they choose to live their lives. The happiest and most fulfilled Y associates are those who are motivated to help others and who want to be a part of something larger than themselves. If this speaks to your heart, then we invite you to join our team. Be a part of a charitable, mission-driven organization that works for individual and community well-being for all, for a better us.

At the Y in Central Maryland, we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being and professional growth. Enjoy flexible schedules, competitive pay, and generous paid time off, alongside medical, dental and vision benefits, as well as dependent care FSA. We offer a generous employer contribution to the Y retirement fund, and opportunities for career advancement. Our commitment to fostering a positive work environment means you'll have access to training and development programs that align with our mission to empower individuals and strengthen communities. Join us and bring your passion to a fulfilling career where you can truly make a difference!

How This Role Contributes to the Y’s Mission

As a Special Education Consultant, you will help ensure children with developmental delays, disabilities, or individualized learning needs are welcomed, included, and supported within Head Start and Early Head Start.

Through classroom observations, consultation, assessment support, referrals, training, and collaboration, you will help families and classroom teams understand each child’s strengths and provide the individualized support they need to participate, learn, belong, and thrive.

This Work Is Right For You If You Have

• Experience supporting young children who receive special education, early intervention, or individualized developmental services.
• Working knowledge of IEPs, IFSPs, accommodations, and inclusive educational practices.
• Experience observing children and turning your findings into practical classroom strategies.
• The ability to build trusting, respectful relationships with families and engage them as active partners.
• Experience collaborating with teachers, specialists, local education agencies, and community providers.
• Strong consultation, training, communication, documentation, and problem-solving skills.
• The ability to manage multiple cases, service timelines, priorities, and follow-up activities.
• A commitment to creating learning environments where every child feels included, capable, and supported.

Essential Functions

• Conduct classroom observations and review screenings, evaluations, progress reports, IEPs, IFSPs, and other relevant records.
• Identify children’s strengths and needs and recommend strategies that support development, learning, participation, independence, and belonging.
• Observe children with suspected developmental, learning, behavioral, communication, or functional concerns after required authorization is obtained.
• Complete educational assessments when assigned and appropriately authorized, including preparing and submitting required reports.
• Collaborate with families and associates to coordinate referrals for special education, early intervention, therapy, behavioral services, and other supports.
• Assist families with accessing appropriate evaluations, services, resources, and follow-up support.
• Partner with classroom teams to understand and implement IEP and IFSP goals, accommodations, and individualized strategies.
• Help teachers incorporate individualized supports into lesson plans, classroom routines, transitions, and daily learning experiences.
• Recommend instructional strategies, environmental modifications, adaptive materials, specialized equipment, and other supports.
• Provide consultation, coaching, training, and technical assistance to associates and families.
• Promote children’s participation in inclusive settings and the least restrictive environment appropriate to their needs.
• Support successful transitions into Head Start, Early Head Start, kindergarten, special education, early intervention, and other educational settings.
• Participate in IEP and IFSP meetings, case reviews, developmental-team meetings, and transition-planning meetings.
• Maintain collaborative relationships with local education agencies, Part C providers, specialists, and community organizations.
• Track referrals, evaluations, services, and required timelines and promptly communicate barriers or concerns.
• Enter accurate and timely case notes and service information into COPA or other approved systems.
• Maintain complete, organized, and confidential child and family records.
• Support program monitoring, self-assessment, planning, and continuous quality-improvement activities.
• Follow Head Start requirements, Y policies, child-safeguarding practices, and mandated-reporting procedures.
• Perform other job-related duties consistent with the purpose and scope of the position.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in special education, early childhood education, elementary education, child development, or a related field.
• At least two years of relevant experience supporting young children with disabilities, developmental delays, or individualized learning needs.
• Experience participating in special education or early intervention referrals, evaluations, service planning, or service delivery.
• Working knowledge of IEPs, IFSPs, inclusive practices, accommodations, and individualized supports.
• Experience reviewing educational or developmental information and developing practical recommendations for families and classroom teams.
• Strong communication, organization, collaboration, training, documentation, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, cases, and follow-up requirements.
• Proficiency with standard workplace technology and the ability to learn program data systems; experience with COPA or a similar Head Start system is preferred.
• Ability to travel regularly among assigned program sites, schools, and partner locations.
• Ability to obtain and maintain all required background clearances, training, credentials, and certifications.

Physical and Work Requirements

• Ability to work in classrooms, offices, and community settings and travel regularly among program locations.
• Ability to interact with children and adults in active early-learning environments.
• Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, use stairs, and move throughout classrooms and program sites, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to lift, carry, position, or move classroom materials and equipment as required by the position.

Employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion and continued maintenance of all screenings, clearances, training, credentials, and certifications required by law, regulation, licensing requirements, funding sources, or Y policy.

All Y associates agree to abide by The Code of Conduct with Youth that sets clear expectations for associates and volunteers to ensure a safe and respectful environment for young people. It emphasizes treating youth with respect and fairness, avoiding inappropriate physical or verbal interactions, and adhering to established standards of affection. The policy strictly prohibits any form of abuse, bullying, or harassment and mandates the reporting of suspected mistreatment. Additionally, associates and volunteers must complete training on child abuse prevention and comply with legal reporting requirements to safeguard youth.