Description

Wayfinder Family Services ensures that children, youth, and adults facing challenges always have a place to turn.

Wayfinder is committed to advancing IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility).

Wayfinder believes inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility are essential to our excellence and our mission's execution. We value differences in the pursuit of inquiry and knowledge, mutual understanding, respect, trust, transparency, and cooperation. We are committed to creating a diverse and welcoming workplace that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve and includes individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Individuals of color, women, LGBTQIA , veterans and differently-abled persons are encouraged to apply.

In exchange for your talent, Wayfinder offers an excellent benefits package, which includes the following:

• This role is eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Competitive salary - Sign-on bonus for eligible roles
• Flexible schedules depending on the position (some offering hybrid)
• Medical insurance with a $30 premium per paycheck coverage plan (employee-only)
• Dental insurance 100% employer paid for HMO coverage plan (employee-only)
• 401(k) retirement plan with an employer match up to 4%
• 11 paid holidays per year and a generous paid time off policy
• Five paid winter holidays (between Christmas Eve & New Year's Day)
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Robust training opportunities: Shared Core Practice Model, Trauma-Informed Care, Evidence-based Practices
• Clinical Supervision for licensure

Compensation:

• In accordance with California law, the expected salary range for this position is posted with this position. The actual compensation will be determined based on experience and other factors permitted by law.

Role Summary: Child Development Specialist - $1500 BONUS - This opportunity will service the communities in the North Los Angeles area (San Gabriel, Pomona, Burbank, and Hollywood)

The primary purpose of your position is to provide specialized services to families of young children with vision impairments, birth through five years of age. The Child Development Specialist provides home instruction, lesson plans, and resource information and referral, advocates on behalf of the client family, and partners with parents and caregivers to empower them as advocates for their child. 

Responsibilities:

• Provides home visits to families, supporting parent/child interactions through developmentally appropriate play activities.
• Engages in family-centered and culturally responsive practices.
• May conduct visits in community settings, including center-based programs, schools, or hospitals.
• May conduct telehealth visits based on Department of Developmental Services/Regional Center recommendations and/or family need as applicable.
• Works with families to develop a curriculum appropriate for the unique learning needs of their child with vision impairment or multiple disabilities within natural daily routines.
• Provides a family with information about a visual diagnosis, early development, and effects of vision loss on early childhood development.
• Conducts developmental and functional vision assessments using observation, parent interviews, authentic assessment strategies, and formal assessment tools.
• Participates in the development and implementation of each child’s Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) and outcomes in collaboration with the family and education team, providing progress reports as required by each Regional Center or Local Education Agency.
• Provides social/emotional and crisis support to families as appropriate.
• Helps parents advocate effectively for themselves and their children.

Qualifications

Education/Certifications:

• B.A., B.S. degree required or M.A. degree in Special Education, Social Work, Child Development, Orientation and Mobility, Infant or Early Childhood, or Social Work or another related field.
• Teaching credential in Vision Impairment, Orientation & Mobility, Early Childhood Special Education, and/or a Certificate in Early Childhood Education preferred.

Experience:

• Professional preparation in the education of children with vision impairments, orientation, mobility, infant or early childhood development, and/or social work.
• Experience as a home teacher.
• Experience working in multi-cultural situations preferred.
• Experience/training in Active Learning techniques of Lilli Nielsen preferred.
• Child and Family Counseling background.
• Bilingual (Spanish preferred)

Additional $1500.00 bonus/stipend. Payable in two installments in 6 and 12 months of employment.

Employee Wellness & Safety

Wayfinder is committed to creating an environment where employees and clients are safe. To meet this goal, we ask that employees be fully vaccinated (including boosters, where applicable) against the COVID-19 virus as a condition of employment. All staff must demonstrate evidence of complete vaccination, including booster, on or before their employment start date. Wayfinder will consider requests for exemption based on religious beliefs or medical accommodations. Wayfinder requires a thorough background screening, including fingerprinting and a health screening.

Trauma-Informed Care

Wayfinder practices Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) principles which recognize the signs, symptoms, and widespread impact of trauma. Employees integrate the knowledge of Trauma-Informed Care into policies, procedures, and practices to prevent re-traumatization which promotes the healing of families, youth, individuals, and communities.

Wayfinder is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

San Gabriel, Pomona, Burbank, Hollywood, Alhambra, Arcadia, Azusa, Covina, Diamond Bar, Glendale, Lancaster, Montebello, Palmdale, Pasadena, San Fernando, Santa Clarita, Walnut