The Aging and Disability Services Division (ADSD) is currently recruiting for a full-time Developmental Specialist 1 in Gardnerville, Nevada. This recruitment will be used to underfill positions within the Developmental Specialist series. Advancement to the next level may occur after meeting the minimum qualifications, satisfactory performance, and with endorsement of the appointing authority. This recruitment may be used to fill current and future vacancies as they occur in the following program: Rural Regional Center (RRC). 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. Incumbents will apply a solution-based mindset that quickly identifies potential roadblocks, manages, and resolves conflicts, grievances, confrontations, or disagreements, develop and propose person centered solutions, resolves unique or challenging situations, and confer with management for implementation as needed. 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. 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. 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.
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 immediate supervision, incumbents function in a trainee capacity and learn to perform duties described in the series concept.
General knowledge of: human growth and development; behavior management techniques; specific developmental skills such as fine and gross motor, social skills, communication, cognition, and self-help; issues of daily living as applied to individual and family centered environments.
Ability to: work cooperatively and effectively with the public, service providers, and co-workers; maintain case files and records; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; apply knowledge of developmental delays and human development to intervention or treatment programs; structure developmental activities to remediate deficits and maintain individual strengths; make physical, mental, and behavioral assessments and accurately record information; prepare treatment/service plans and provide services for a case load of clients; evaluate and reassess the functioning level of the client; provide instruction and direction to clients and others in group or individual settings; defuse aggressive and maladaptive behaviors of clients; complete billing forms and documentation related to services provided.
Recruiter Contact Information: Victoria Sheehan - [email protected]
