Disabilities Manager

Position Title: Disabilities Manager

Position Status: Regular Full Time Exempt)

Reports to:  Assistant Director

Position Purpose:

To identify children with suspected developmental delays, social/emotional, or behavioral concerns and provide appropriate interventions to lessen negative effects on performance, social, and emotional growth and development so the children will be successful and ready to enter kindergarten. 

Specific Responsibilities:

  • Work under the direct supervision of the Assistant Director and indirectly under the supervision of the Executive Director.  Serve as a member of the Management Team.  Attend and participate in IEP meetings, case conferences, staff and committee meetings, conferences and workshops when appropriate. 
  • Plan, coordinate and conduct services relating to disabilities, mental health and transitions as required by the Head Start Performance Standards.  Periodically observe Head Start children and consult with the appropriate significant adults in the child’s therapeutic programs.  Arrange for appropriate educational and psychological intervention and/or remediation. Provide regular written documentation through reports, memos, correspondence and other relevant means. 
  • Develop and implement a comprehensive recruitment, diagnostic and confirmation plan for children with disabilities and special needs. 
  • Train staff and parents in the areas of mental health, behavior management, screening and assessment, evaluation/IEP process, special education services/laws and teacher planning to meet the specific needs of the children.  Serve as a resource person to staff and parents in the areas of mental health, curriculum, child development, tests and measurements. 
  • Participate in the development of program services conducive to the mental health needs of the children. And, assist in the evaluation of the effectiveness of specific phases of the program and the Disabilities service plans.
  • Develop and maintain a professional relationship with special education administrators within the Pittsburg Unified School District and other local education agencies.  Participate in the conduct and analysis of the Community Needs Assessments. 
  • Work with the teachers and other adults in maintaining the health and safety of children in the classroom, playground, field trips and any agency sponsored activities.   Report child abuse/neglect in accordance with current state requirements. 
  • Provide support to teaching staff in developing and maintaining an enriched and well-balanced program in accordance with Head Start Performance Standards as it relates to disabilities/mental health.   Make regular visits to the classrooms to observe, assess needs and assist teaching staff in facilitating the daily program when needed as it relates to disabilities/mental health. 
  • Perform other duties as required. 

Measurement of Success

  • Attended all meetings, conferences and workshops as required.
  • Successful relationships have been established and outreach has occurred with all educational agencies in the Pittsburg area.
  • All trainings for parents and staff have been completed.  
  • All children with special needs or disabilities have been properly assessed and have been assigned to a program.

Minimum Qualifications and Experience:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, Early Childhood, Special Education or related field
  • Two years of experience in a preschool program with special needs children

Necessary Skills:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each specific responsibility satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 

  • Ability to juggle multiple tasks and adjust to changing schedules and priorities.
  • Proficient in computer and Internet related applications such as email, web browsers, and MS Word, Excel, and Power Point. 
  • Excellent English communication (oral and written), interpersonal and presentation skills.   Effectively work as a team member.
  • Typing proficiency. 
  • Self-motivated, detail-oriented and able to effectively execute duties with minimum direction to meet deadlines.
  •  Knowledge of local federal and state laws/regulations regarding children with disabling conditions/special needs. 
  • Ability to implement and evaluate the child development program. 
  • Knowledge, appreciation and understanding of different cultures, values and family/community lifestyles. 
  • Knowledge of behavior management techniques that are appropriate for preschool to help guide young children toward self-control. 
  • Able to work with parents and incorporate their skills and ideas into the program planning to address the individual needs of each child. 
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality as required. 

Other Requirements:

  • Must possess and maintain a valid CA Driver’s License, as well as current automobile registration and insurance.
  • Must have vehicle in good working condition. 
  • Must be eligible to be employed in the United States. 
  • Continuing Education required.
  • Successful completion of an initial physical examination and follow-up examinations every two years. 
  • Current First Aid and CPR Certification. 
  • Fingerprint clearance, tuberculosis clearance and child abuse clearance must be on file and submitted according to policy. 
  • Bilingual where applicable.

Reasoning Ability

  • Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables.  
  • Ability to read and interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, map or schedule format.
  • Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. 
  • Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, teachers, parents, and the general public.
  • Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as proportions, percentages, and rates. 

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

  • The noise level in the work environment is moderate.
  • Work environment involves minimal exposure to physical risks, such as operating dangerous equipment or working with chemicals. 
  • Work involves minimal exposure to unusual elements, such as extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, unpleasant odors, and/or loud noises. 
  • Chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, or birth defects or other reproductive harm may be present in the work environment.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of the job, the employee is required to:

  • Regularly talk or hear up to 8 hours a day;
  • Regularly sit, write, type, and use a mouse up to 8 hours a day;
  • Regularly sit and stand from a chair up to 30 times a day;
  • Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
  • Occasionally stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle or feel, and reach with hands and arms;
  • Regularly bend, stoop and squat;
  • Occasionally drive in dry and wet weather, usually during day light hours, but occasionally in the evening hours;
  • Regularly get in and out of car up to 8 times per day;
  • Occasionally climb stairs and/or take elevator; and
  • Occasionally lift and/or move up to twenty-five (25) pounds.