Developmental Specialist Jobs in Reno, NV (NOW HIRING)

***THIS RECRUITMENT MAY CLOSE WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE DEPENDING ON THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS RECEIVED. APPLICANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE*** Job Summary The Aging and Disability Services Division is currently recruiting for a full-time Developmental Specialist 3 in Carson City and Reno/Sparks, Nevada. This recruitment may be used to fill current and future vacancies as they occur in the following programs: Autism Treatment Assistant Program (ATAP) and Nevada Early Intervention Services (NEIS).

Positions assigned with ATAP will create and implement programs, treatment and service plans, provide direct services and case management, develop financial and community resources, and educate, inform, and assist family members, other agencies, and service providers about human growth and development. Positions assigned with NEIS will provide specialized instruction and case management services to children under the age of three who have or are at risk for developmental delays, disabilities (including autism, vision and hearing impairments, genetics syndromes and prematurity) under the federal regulations of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). They also serve on multi-disciplinary teams to determine program eligibility and services.

Incumbents must be able to obtain Early Childhood Developmentally Delayed Endorsement within the first three years of employment. Developmental Specialists can be assigned to a variety of specialized programs and facilities. Their duties may take place in the home, clinic, hospital, residential, outpatient, and community settings, among others.

ADSD provides an atmosphere of innovative thinking, teamwork, friendly co-workers, and positive work settings. ADSD fosters a positive, inclusive, and diverse work environment that values innovation, teamwork, and collaboration. The mission of ADSD is to empower individuals and their support systems by providing resources for disabilities and aging - connecting Nevadans to services and improving their quality of life.

Developmental Specialists provide individual and group developmental and support services for individuals of all ages who have, or who may be at risk for, developmental delays, developmental disabilities, intellectual disabilities, or related conditions, and social, emotional and/or behavioral disorders. Incumbents develop and implement programs and treatment and service plans, provide direct services and case management, develop financial and community resources, and provide education, information and technical assistance to family members, other agencies and service providers regarding human growth and development. Essential Qualifications Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in early childhood, special education, human growth and development, psychology, counseling, social work or a closely related field and two years of professional experience providing developmental, special education, intervention, treatment-oriented, child/adult care, and/or instructional guidance services for individuals who have or may be at risk for developmental delays, developmental disabilities, intellectual disabilities or related conditions; OR one year of experience as a Developmental Specialist II in Nevada State service; OR an equivalent combination of education at or above a Bachelor's degree and experience as described above.

Job Duties Developmental Specialists may be assigned to one of many specialized programs and facilities, and duties may be performed in the home, clinic, hospital, residential, outpatient, and community facilities, or similar settings. Duties performed and the population served vary. Some representative examples include: Program for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities: Incumbents develop, coordinate, and monitor the implementation of individual's support plans to facilitate achievement of identified goals for the specific developmental and behavioral management needs of each individual served in the least restrictive environment possible.

They may provide case management services, be responsible for needs assessment, coordinate and monitor supports, and supervise the activities of supported living arrangement providers. Early Intervention Program: Incumbents provide early intervention diagnostic and treatment services and case management for children under the age of three who are medically fragile and/or exhibit developmental delays; develop and implement service plans with families to remediate delays and facilitate development of social, motor, communication, cognition, self-help, and behavioral skills in home and community settings; and function as a service coordinator to assist families with accessing services and resources in a clinic and/or the community. Early Childhood Program: Incumbents provide consultation and guidance to family specialists and collaborate with community organizations and agencies to share resources and expertise in providing training to families of infants under the age of one regarding best practices in the care of infants to encourage optimal child growth and development.

Assess individuals using appropriate assessment tools to evaluate and determine eligibility for services, program planning, and individual and family needs; establish a base line and document progress in meeting objectives. Develop treatment and service plans by interviewing the individual, family members, and care providers; identify goals based on individual/family objectives and available resources; review client's social history, report observations and recommend changes; remediate deficits and provide intervention strategies; assist care providers in learning behavioral techniques to enhance the care provider/client relationship. Implement treatment and service plans to support and strengthen family/care provider functioning; evaluate with the family/care provider the appropriateness of desired outcomes of the treatment/service plan and the effectiveness of the plan in meeting the client, family, and care provider needs; review plan with client and family/care provider and revise as needed.

Provide case management services; develop treatment/service plans and monitor client and family progress; identify, obtain, coordinate, monitor and evaluate resources and services to meet client and family/care provider needs; assist clients in obtaining financial assistance; coordinate treatment and services with outside agency service providers; monitor work sites, school, and community-based placements; advocate for the client to ensure goals are accomplished and prepare and submit reports to courts and other agencies. Develop external resources required to achieve identified treatment/service objectives; coordinate and facilitate services between agency, client, family, and community organizations; provide information to providers regarding agency policy, procedure, and guidelines. Identify funding sources and participate in writing grant proposals to expand services; participate on program review teams, provide technical assistance, prepare federal and State reports, and meet with professionals in local communities to develop program awareness and partnerships.

Conduct home visits; negotiate and write contracts for housing, in-home and other services; monitor providers to ensure services are provided; monitor quality of the living environment; train care providers as necessary; review billing forms for accuracy of services provided. Provide crisis intervention including responding to emergency calls; search for missing clients; report instances of neglect and abuse to appropriate authorities; coordinate emergency services such as respite; restrain client or utilize appropriate behavioral and environmental controls for clients who may be hostile, combative, aggressive or assaultive; follow established protocols and policy to protect clients, staff, family and others potentially at risk due to client behavior or family dynamics. Consult with clinicians, medical personnel, vendors, contractors, school districts, other public agencies, community organizations, employers, and professionals in the legal system to exchange information; serve as motivator and negotiator to arrange and resolve service delivery issues.

Develop training curriculum regarding early childhood development, parenting skills and developmentally appropriate activities; organize training and present information to clients and family/care providers regarding methods to achieve developmental objectives in the treatment/service plan. Develop and implement activities and therapeutic techniques; provide feedback, monitor treatment plans, and document client progress; function as primary or co-therapist in group therapy sessions and other treatment groups offered by the agency; assist family/care providers in learning behavioral techniques; guide care provider participation in treatment/service programs and meet with families/care providers to discuss client progress. Prepare a variety of written reports related to the evaluation of clients and therapeutic services provided; document case notes in client files; provide information to treatment/service team members, other professionals, family members, care providers, and administrators regarding current evaluations and client progress; prepare and submit forms and documentation for billing purposes as required.

Supervise lower-level professional, paraprofessional and support staff, teachers, university students and volunteers as assigned. Perform related duties as assigned. Under direction, incumbents perform a broad range of duties described in the series concept and may assist in program planning by developing goals and objectives, conducting needs assessments, and collecting and reporting information about the program.

This is the journey level in the series. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities This job specification lists the major knowledge, skills and abilities of the job and is not all inclusive. Incumbent(s) will be expected to have knowledge, skills and abilities from a previous level.

Working knowledge of: case management practices and procedures; symptoms, characteristics and treatment of clients with mental illness, intellectual disabilities, emotional and behavioral disorders, or developmental delays; family functioning and dynamics; Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; Americans with Disabilities Act; assessing, developing and implementing treatment and service plans and goals; social, agency, and community resources; crisis intervention techniques; individual, marital, group and family intervention techniques; laws governing abuse and neglect of clients; ethical standards of care and treatment; writing treatment plans, psychosocial assessments, comprehensive evaluations, reports and recommendations; pre-vocational training and supported employment procedures; client rights and confidentiality of information; clinical (peer) review procedures. General knowledge of: psychotropic medications including desired effects, common side effects, and drug interactions; licensing regulations for various living arrangements. Ability to: establish rapport and appropriate relationships with clients, their families and care providers; develop and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with co-workers, medical and health professionals, social service agency representatives and others; confer with colleagues, clients, and others; structure intervention activities to maintain and promote individual strengths.

Recruiter Contact Information: Victoria Sheehan - Torisheehan@admin.nv.gov The State of Nevada is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to building diverse, inclusive, and innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. All applicants are considered without regard to race, color, national origin, religion or belief, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, domestic partnership, genetic information (GINA), or compensation and/or wages. Please send direct Inquiries or correspondence to the recruiter listed on this announcement.