Intervention Specialist - Head Start

Intervention Specialist - Head Start

About the role: 

This position coordinates and supports all disability services for students ages 3-5. Oversees the assessment, implementation, and facilitation of referral services and Individual Education Plans (IEP). Serves as a liaison for all internal and external stakeholders related to IEP service provision and related resources and ensures compliance with all Head Start requirements.

Who We Are

Clayton Early Learning is a leading nonprofit dedicated to providing children from birth to five with an exceptional start and empowering families for lifelong success. We directly serve approximately 500 children annually through our school, home-based programs, and community partnership sites. As a proud member of the Educare Learning Network and the Head Start community, we are deeply committed to providing high quality early childhood education through a whole-child, whole-family approach. Our unique location on a 20-acre historic campus in Denver is the foundation for our strategic vision to become a thriving neighborhood center to serve the community more fully, addressing needs including food security and health care access. Our team of over 125 dedicated professionals works in a supportive environment of collaboration, innovation, and personal growth.

What this role involves:

Support & Coordination for Students with Disabilities

• Oversees and coordinates all disability assessments and support services for students; ensures all services are available and meet criteria and requirements, including Head Start requirements.
• Ensures that the school is responsible for the identification, evaluation, and provision of free and appropriate education for Head Start students in need of special education and support services; coordinates initial and ongoing evaluations for all Head Start programs.  
• Initiates referral process for all disability and mental health services, including, but not limited to the MTSS process, IEP referrals, and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation services. Provides and supports students transitioning to Head Start and out of Head Start into other educational settings or Kindergarten. Coordinates all steps to ensure the students and their families understand the referral process, obtain the necessary referral paperwork, and attend all related meetings.
• Facilitates on-going communication with agencies (DGKHS, etc.), consultants and management to maintain an interdisciplinary approach that supports effective early intervention services and positive outcomes for students and families.
• Acts as a liaison for all internal and external stakeholders around disability and referral services for Head Start Programs.
• Ensures Educare Learning Network core features are implemented in programs.
• Supports the implementation of inclusive classroom practices, social emotional curriculum, and other features of the educational environment and teaching practices as needed.
• Responds to classrooms to provide support to children and teachers

Individual Education Plan (IEP) Implementation 

• Interacts with referral specialists and families to obtain IEP and documentation to understand student needs within their program
• Supports internal stakeholders to implement IEP; ensures goals are integrated into lesson plans, and the classroom environment is set up for student success; provides ideas and strategies for internal stakeholders when they have students with IEPs.
• Educates parents and families on the IEP. Provides parents and families with their rights and responsibilities and information on the plan and services; assists the family with arranging additional services if needed and informs the family of appropriate community resources.
• Monitors the goals in the IEP and meets with all stakeholders to discuss progress and recommendations, reviews goals and transition plans; ensures work plans are reviewed updated on an annual basis or as needed to effectively support the student.
• Completes and maintains all required documentation and enters required information into relevant systems; documentation includes student files, IEP forms, reports, logs, service information, etc., maintains compliance to meet all requirements and regulations.
• Other duties as assigned

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree​ in Psychology, Social Services, Early Childhood Education, Special Education or related field. Masters Preferred

Experience:

• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience working with young children (3-5), including children with developmental delays, disabilities, or behavioral challenges.
• Experience collaborating with families, teachers, and community partners to support children's developmental, educational, and social-emotional needs.
• Knowledge of child development, early intervention practices, and individualized support strategies for young children.
• Experience conducting observations, screenings, assessments, and maintaining accurate documentation and records.
• Preferred experience in a Head Start, Early Head Start, early childhood education, or special education setting, including participation in IEP and/or IFSP processes.

   Clayton Requirements:

• Must be able to pass a comprehensive background check, including CBI/FBI fingerprinting. Child abuse and neglect state registry, MVR and a national sex offender registry check every 5 years.
• Must have a valid license driver's license with evidence of active vehicle insurance
• Pediatric first aid and CPR certification
• Current PPD-TB testing, standard immunizations, and annual health statement, or willingness to obtain as required
• Participate in training programs, workshops, and meetings related to the role
• Maintains strong technology proficiency and quickly adapts to new systems, applications, and digital solutions.

Skills, Competencies & Behavioral Expectations:

• Demonstrates integrity, professionalism, and commitment to the organization's mission and values
• Exhibits accountability and ownership by taking responsibility for commitments, actions, and results.
• Creates a safe, respectful, and collaborative environment for children, families, and employees.
• Communicates clearly and professionally, verbally and in writing, while building strong relationships and influencing employees at all levels.
• Builds strong relationships through teamwork that prioritizes safety and well-being.
• Problem-solving with resilience, emotional intelligence, and a solution-oriented mindset.
• Knowledge of economic, cultural and societal challenges of ethnically and diverse communities preferred.
• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of Early Head Start requirements
• Ability to manage external agency relationships with organizations serving needs of students
• Maintains comprehensive knowledge of Individualized Family Service Plan
• Ability to build relationships, influence others with strong customer service, and interpersonal skills; can relate to others from a variety of backgrounds
• Leadership skills with the ability to build effective and credible relationships
• Attention to detail with the ability to maintain and organize documents and files
• Ability to understand and perform basic mathematical computations; can apply basic analytical skills
• Ability to work independently or as part of a team; can remain calm in stressful situations

Work Environment, Schedule & Physical Requirements:

• Ability to work flexible hours outside of normal business hours as required
• Ability to lift to 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation
• Ability to sit, stand, walk and move throughout the workday as required to perform job duties or with reasonable accommodation
• Ability to travel to home-visits as needed

What we offer:

• 16+ paid company holidays
• Spring Break and Winter Break - up to 10 paid days off
• Accrued vacation time (starting at 10 days/year, up to 30 with tenure)
• Paid sick time
• Medical, vision, and dental insurance coverage
• Life and AD&D insurance
• Mental health support through our medical plan and EAP
• Long-term disability coverage
• 401(k) with 5% employer match after 1 year
• FSA plans
• College 529 investment options
• Identity theft protection and more

Compensation:

$65,000-$70,000 Annually 

Clayton's Core Values

At Clayton Early Learning, we believe that our core values help to drive actions and create habits that allow our belief in the unlimited potential of young children to become a reality. We seek candidates who demonstrate our core values and are motivated by a value-driven environment.

• Collaboration builds trust and relationships and brings new ideas, skills, and knowledge to help us do better work.
• Community fosters resiliency, stability, and strength.
• Fun reduces stress, keeps us motivated, builds connections, and models of joy for our children.
• Growth allows us to develop professionals and provide the best service.
• Stewardship enables us to have the greatest impact on the resources we have.

Clayton Early Learning is an equal opportunity employer that values workplace diversity. We strive to create an inclusive work place that embraces diverse backgrounds, life experiences, and perspectives. We prohibit discrimination of employees or applicants on the basis of race, creed, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual identity, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, disability, or any other classification considered discriminatory under