Early Intervention Specialist

Work for Indiana

Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, youll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, youll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.

About the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH):

The Indiana Department of Health's mission is to promote, protect, and improve the health and safety of all Hoosiers so that they can reach their optimal health regardless of where they live, learn, work, or play.

Role Overview:

The position acts as an Early Intervention Specialist providing early intervention home visiting as a Family Navigator to families of infants/toddlers who are deaf and hard of hearing through the Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education. In addition, this position supports contract Family Navigators through training and mentoring. This position helps the Center meet its objectives of following children in early intervention, monitoring progress, decreasing loss to follow-up from identification through the early intervention period, and enhancing the likelihood of successful outcomes and successful transitions of children from early intervention to their local education agency and preschool services.

The position works closely with the Center Early Intervention Coordinator and other EI Specialists to provide infant-toddler programming aligned with the Center Vision, Mission, and Guiding Principles and JCIH Guidelines. A background, education (e.g. deaf education, special education, psychology, speech-language pathology), and/or experience in early intervention services is needed for this position.

Salary Statement:

The salary for this position traditionally starts at $67,314.00 but may be commensurate with education or work experience.

A Day in the Life:

The essential functions of this role are as follows:

• Provide high quality, culturally competent direct and consultative services to deaf and hard of hearing children/students, birth to 21 years old.
• Participate in professional consultations and child Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings.
• Develop educational resources to share with parents, professionals, agencies, and statewide initiatives.
• Provide unbiased comprehensive information to families and professionals regarding communication choices/opportunities and technologies in a respectful and culturally competent manner.
• Convey the importance of and acts as an expert in appropriate educational services that are consistent with the parents' desired outcomes and goals.
• Work collaboratively with educational professionals, parents, co-workers, and outside agencies to assure that a child's program is sufficiently comprehensive for their needs.
• Provide technical assistance to educational professionals along with guidance and mentoring.
• Act as contact for the Center to parents, school districts, and professionals to field questions an provide direction.
• Assist assessment team with multidisciplinary assessments and classroom observations.
• Adheres to CDHHE Vision, Mission, and Guiding Principles.

The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time.

This position is exempt from overtime compensation for additional work hours which may be required to complete essential functions or other assigned work. Exempt employees may work more than 75 hours in a pay period without additional compensation and must report a minimum of 75 hours per pay period of work hours and/or paid leave taken to receive their base biweekly salary.

What Youll Need for Success:

Individuals in this role should minimally be able to articulate or demonstrate the following:

• Valid licensure/certification or ability to obtain licensure/certification in area of service.
• Expertise and skill in teaching strategies and methods with children who are deaf and hard of hearing including knowledge of communication opportunities, technology, and philosophies prevalent in the field.
• Strong commitment to family-centered and student-centered services with an emphasis on educational outcomes, goals, and objectives as desired by the child's parents.
• Ability to focus on needs of individual deaf and hard of hearing children, while effectively navigating relationships with parents, educational professionals, and others through analysis and resolution of any issues that may arise due to diverse opinions among stakeholders.
• Strong interest in being part of a new team comprised of professionals, parents and deaf and hard of hearing individuals who work together to provide exemplary statewide services and model programming for others to follow.
• Ability to anticipate situations that would create barriers to achieving goals and initiate preventative action.
• Ability to attend to and synthesize information and respectfully express perceptions and recommendations to families and professionals.
• Ability to support all communication options/opportunities, adhere to Center vision, mission values, and guiding principles.
• Knowledge of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IEDA), and Section 504.
• Interest in working with a diverse team of professionals, parents and deaf and hard of hearing individuals who work together to create exemplary statewide services and model programming for others to follow.
• Ability to establish priorities, set deadlines and manage multiple tasks.

A degree is not required. However, at least 7 years of experience applying the outlined knowledge, skills, and abilities in a similar role may be considered.

Individuals should have the ability to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:

This role may be utilized in a supervisory capacity based on agency needs.

Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:

The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:

• Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans

• Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards

• Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution

• Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match

• Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options

• A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:

• 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers

• Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave

• Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off

• 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years

• Education Reimbursement Program

• Group life insurance

• Referral Bonus program

• Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits

• Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

• Free Parking for most positions

• Free LinkedIn Learning access

Equal Employment Opportunity:

The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at jobs@spd.IN.gov.