Social and Emotional Specialist for Early Learning

The Social & Emotional Specialist for Early Learning maintains and supports the Early Learning Academies' social and emotional learning. The Social & Emotional Specialist will oversee social and emotional learning (SEL) in all Early Learning Academy classrooms. The Social & Emotional Specialist will develop procedures and processes for teaching staff request assistance with students and provide observations and intervention as needed. This position will consult with center personnel, parents, and other team members regarding general behavior management of the classroom. This individual possesses functional expertise in the areas of behavior management and crisis intervention. The Social & Emotional Specialist will develop community relationships to identify and strengthen resources to support staff, families, and children.

• Master's degree in Social Emotional Learning or closely related field of study preferred. Bachelor's Degree in Early Education or Child Development combined with experience in early learning accepted.
• Two or more years of experience working in an early learning program.
• Experience in developing individual development plans.
• Experience teaching adults in Social and Emotional Learning.
• Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic groups.
• Proven track record of developing authentic relationships with others.
• Ability to establish and maintain collaborations with community organizations.

• Ensures SEL is present in all Early Learning Academy classrooms, including developing and implementation of a SEL curriculum
• Provides SEL educational opportunities for ELA staff and families.
• Develops and supports procedures and policies for teaching staff regarding documentation and classroom support of individual children.
• Occasionally provides intensive one-to-one intervention with individual students when necessary to support SEL learning until supports are put into place.
• Reviews behavioral and/or instructional teaching programs carried out by classroom staff for relevancy and assists with program revisions when requested.
• Assists with the selection of the most appropriate data collection system, teaching strategies, and criteria for successful attainment of program objectives, if needed.
• Assists and models developmentally appropriate social skills lessons within the classroom setting.
• Advises classroom teachers in applying SEL principles toward classroom organization, physical environmental factors, and general student management, if needed.
• Consults with parents on successful behavior management programs and suggests community resources.
• Supports individual teaching staff in implementing techniques and crisis intervention as necessary.
• Establishes specific behavior management goals in conjunction with the teacher for behavior plan development.
• Serves as an active member of the center leadership team planning for individual needs of students.
• Performs other related duties as required.

• Certifications in one or more of the following preferred:
  • BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst)
  • SEL (Social & Emotional Learning)
  • LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor)
  • LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker)
• Infant/child CPR & First Aid
• Annual completion of YMCA Blood Borne Pathogens training
• Annual completion of YMCA Child Sexual Abuse Prevention class
• Successfully complete DCF background screening requirements as well as meet the association policies on background screening.
• Additional training classes as recommended.