Early Interventionist (Special Ed Teacher/SLP/OT/PT/Social Worker) Downeast

Early Interventionist

Our CDS Downeast site in Machias is seeking experienced professionals in the Early Intervention field to help support Maine's expanded services for infants and toddlers with developmental delays. These are 40 hour per week, calendar year positions that will require local travel and home-based service delivery.

Salary: Varies based on professional licensure/certification and qualifying years of experience.

Early Interventionist positions are compensated according to the CDS salary scale associated with the applicant's professional credentials.

Applicable Pay Scales

• Teacher of Children with Disabilities: $50,981–$88,379
• Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP): $55,765–$96,678
• Occupational Therapist (OT): $55,765–$96,678
• Physical Therapist (PT): $55,765–$96,678
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW): $55,765–$96,678
• Licensed Social Worker (LSW): $50,981–$88,379
  
  

Final salary placement will be determined by the applicable pay scale and the candidate's qualifying years of experience.

Summary Description

The Early Interventionist provides specialized early intervention services to infants, toddlers, and their families within Maine's Part C Early Intervention program. As the child's primary early intervention provider, this position delivers evidence-based evaluation, assessment, intervention, caregiver coaching, consultation, and treatment in accordance with each child's Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP).

Working within a family-centered, transdisciplinary model, the Early Interventionist partners with caregivers to build their capacity to support their child's communication, feeding (when applicable), social interaction, and overall developmental progress within everyday routines and natural environments.

In addition to providing direct early intervention services, the Early Interventionist serves as the family's Service Coordinator Level II. Service Coordination responsibilities support the delivery of high-quality early intervention services by facilitating evaluations, coordinating IFSP development and implementation, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations, collaborating with community providers, monitoring timelines, and maintaining required documentation.

The primary focus of this position is the delivery of high-quality early intervention services that improve child and family outcomes. Service Coordination responsibilities are integrated into the role to ensure seamless, family-centered service delivery.

Primary Responsibilities – Early Intervention Services

Direct Intervention

• Provides evidence-based intervention services in accordance with each child's IFSP.
• Delivers intervention using caregiver coaching strategies and evidence-based early intervention practices.
• Provides services within children's natural environments, including homes, childcare settings, community locations, and other appropriate settings.
• Uses a Primary Service Provider (PSP) approach to promote communication development and family capacity.
• Evaluates and treats speech, language, communication, feeding, and related developmental concerns within the scope of professional licensure.
• Develops individualized intervention strategies based on the child's strengths, developmental needs, and family priorities.
• Monitors child progress and modifies intervention strategies based on ongoing assessment and caregiver feedback.
• Collaborates with multidisciplinary team members to ensure coordinated, transdisciplinary service delivery.
• Provides consultation and coaching that empowers caregivers to incorporate communication-building strategies into daily routines.
  
  

Evaluation and Assessment

• Conducts evaluations and ongoing developmental assessments to determine eligibility and monitor progress.
• Establishes rapport with children and families during the evaluation process.
• Reviews developmental, educational, and medical information relevant to the child's communication development.
• Conducts observations within natural environments.
• Interviews caregivers to gather developmental history and identify family concerns and priorities.
• Selects and administers appropriate assessment tools consistent with professional standards.
• Documents evaluation findings and develops recommendations for the IFSP team.
  
  

IFSP Development

• Participates in the development, review, and revision of each child's IFSP.
• Assists the IFSP team in developing functional, family-centered outcomes based on assessment findings.
• Recommends appropriate intervention services, supports, frequency, and intensity.
• Reports evaluation findings and child progress to IFSP team members.
  
  

Documentation and Billing

• Completes required evaluations, treatment notes, progress reports, and other documentation within established timelines.
• Maintains documentation necessary for MaineCare and third-party billing.
• Obtains required prescriptions and authorizations, as appropriate.
• Ensures documentation complies with CDS policies, IDEA Part C requirements, Chapter 101, licensure requirements, and applicable regulations.
  
  

Secondary Responsibilities – Service Coordination Level Ii

Family Support

• Serves as the family's primary point of contact throughout early intervention services.
• Establishes collaborative relationships with families.
• Provides information regarding CDS services, procedural safeguards, and available community resources.
• Supports families in understanding evaluation results, IFSP processes, and available service options.
  
  

Intake and Evaluation Coordination

• Reviews referrals and completes intake activities.
• Coordinates developmental screenings and multidisciplinary evaluations.
• Obtains required referrals, releases, and supporting documentation.
• Coordinates with physicians, medical providers, childcare providers, and community agencies.
  
  

IFSP Coordination

• Facilitates IFSP meetings and ensures participation by all required team members.
• Coordinates development, implementation, review, and revision of the IFSP.
• Ensures IFSPs reflect evidence-based practices, family priorities, and appropriate services.
• Authorizes services identified on the IFSP, as appropriate.
  
  

Coordination of Services

• Coordinates services among CDS providers, medical professionals, community agencies, and educational partners.
• Monitors implementation of services identified within the IFSP.
• Coordinates transition planning for children approaching preschool eligibility.
• Ensures services are delivered within required timelines.
  
  

Compliance and Recordkeeping

• Maintains complete and accurate child records.
• Ensures timely entry of required information into CDS information systems.
• Maintains documentation required under IDEA Part C, Chapter 101, FERPA, and CDS policies.
• Monitors compliance with federal and state timelines and procedural requirements.
  
  

Other Duties

• Performs other duties as assigned by the Early Intervention Program Manager or Site Director.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Current State of Maine professional license required for Therapists
• Maine Department of Education Teacher of Children with Disabilities/Pre-K (282B) for Teachers
• Demonstrated knowledge of infant and toddler development, family-centered practices, and early intervention services.
• Ability to meet the qualifications necessary to perform Service Coordination responsibilities under Maine's Part C Early Intervention program.
• Successful criminal history, fingerprinting, and reference checks.
  
  

Required Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of infant and toddler development, speech-language development, feeding/swallowing (when applicable), disabilities, family systems, and evidence-based early intervention practices.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Part C of IDEA, Chapter 101, MaineCare requirements, and family-centered service delivery.
• Ability to deliver speech-language intervention using a Primary Service Provider (PSP) model and caregiver coaching strategies.
• Ability to coordinate services and collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams and community partners.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive, collaborative relationships with children, families, and community providers.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining compliance with required timelines.
• Ability to travel throughout the assigned service area.
• Ability to maintain composure and professionalism in challenging situations..
  
  

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Services provided in homes, community settings, early childhood programs, and CDS sites.
• Frequent travel within assigned region.
• Requires physical ability to engage in floor-based activities and child-centered instruction.
  
  

Please Send Resume And Completed CDS Employment Application To

Amy Bragg, Site Director

CDS Downeast

797 Willson St. #2Brewer, ME 04412

Veterans’ Preference: Maine law provides a preference to qualified veterans and gold star spouses by ensuring they are offered an interview. If you are a veteran or a gold star spouse and wish to take advantage of this preference, please complete our employment application. Documentation is required. For more information, visit: https://www.maine.gov/bhr/state-jobs/veterans-preference-in-job-applications.