Job Description

SUMMARY: Coordinates, organizes, monitors and provides leadership for the consultation and assessment teams and support staff for the Power of Preschool (POP) program as well as identified targeted areas of FIRST5; develops and provides program information and resources to families of assessed children and for referred children; coordinates activities for school districts and external agencies participating in regional partnerships in POP demonstration sites; develops and implements consultation and assessment procedures; and performs all other related duties as assigned.

50% ASSESSMENT COORDINATION

Coordinates, organizes, monitors and provides leadership for the consultation and assessment teams and supports staff for the Power of Preschool (POP) program; develops training modules and coordinates training for consultation and assessment teams; conducts or facilitates meetings to coordinate consultation and assessment projects with community regional partners; creates and monitors contracts with participating agencies to provide services as needed; evaluates the effectiveness of the team and procedures utilized during an assessment; monitors and participates in obtaining, updating and assessment of individual development of children referred to the consultation and assessment team; shares information and resources for children referred regarding their needs; and creates a plan for child and family as necessary.

30% LIAISON WITH EXTERNAL AGENCIES AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS

Develops and implements a plan for collaborating with school districts, special education local planning areas (SELPAs), Parents Helping Parents, university and community colleges, public health department, mental health department, regional center, FIRST 5, West Ed, community agencies and other Office departments; works with external agencies to resolve concerns, complaints and problems; and creates memorandums of understanding with community partner agencies as appropriate.

10% ASSESSMENT AND TEAM SUPPORT

Reviews child screening information provided by other professionals; investigates issues through observations via home visits, classroom observations, parent/teacher conferences and telephone interviews; collects necessary documents and information and prepares reports with findings; confers with trans-disciplinary team including preschool staff and other professionals regarding program decisions and resource options; develops the Child Development (CD)/Family Success Plan (FSP) using screening and assessment information; recommends strategies or resources for child and family, demonstrates strategies and identifies goals and objectives; participates in the development of classroom strategies for teachers; and trains and supports preschool staff and families in working with children.

10% RELATED ACTIVITIES

May participate as an assessment team member; and performs all other related duties as assigned.

DECISION-MAKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING: Works with external agencies to address concerns, resolve complaints and problems; recommends policies and procedures to enhance program performance and evaluation. Develops and implements short-term plans in own program/department; requires frequent exercise of discretionary judgment and specialized knowledge in interpreting and applying policies; situations are somewhat varied and moderately complex; and makes decisions that have major impact on program/department.

REQUIRED MINIMUM SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations and requirements including IDEA, Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSP), Individual Educational Plan (IEP) and FIRST5 Family Success Plan (FSP); knowledge of local community resources; knowledge of early intervention and local and state-wide early childhood services; knowledge of assessment techniques appropriate for children from birth through five years of age; knowledge of culturally diverse populations and their needs; ability to develop budget and follow fiscal reporting procedures; knowledge of strategic planning and collaborative processes; ability to collaborate with external agencies; skill in communicating orally and in writing with large and small groups; skill in data collection, budget monitoring and report generation; ability to organize, evaluate and modify systems, procedures, and programs within the area of responsibility; ability to direct and train others of comparable skill; and skill in working effectively with others in a wide variety of situations.

REQUIRED MINIMUM TRAINING, EDUCATION, AND LICENSING: Master's degree from an accredited educational institution with major course work in human relations, liberal studies, child development, psychology, nursing sociology education or a related field; and a valid California driver's license.

REQUIRED MINIMUM PRIOR WORK EXPERIENCE: Three years of job-related experience with demonstrated competence.

REQUIRED INTERACTION (NON-AUTHORITY): Contacts are moderately structured, and are primarily with fellow employees in work unit and with other employees at a similar level outside the work unit, such as representatives of educational, community and related agencies, school officials, parents and service providers; and contacts are to gather data for decision-making and problem solving.

Environment: Indoor, office setting; drives to conduct work at agency sites and school districts.

Physical Requirements: Hearing and speaking to exchange information and on the telephone; seeing to read, prepare and proofread documents; sitting for extended periods of time; dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard and other office equipment; kneeling, bending at the waist, and reaching overhead, above the shoulders and horizontally, to retrieve and store files and supplies; lifting light objects.

 Personnel Commission Approval: October 19, 2006