Community Support Service jobs in Welland, ON

Overview

The Infant-Child Development Specialist is responsible for the development and delivery of specialized early intervention, developmental assessment, parent education and family-centred services for infants and young children. Working collaboratively as part of Mareas’ interdisciplinary team supporting children and families experiencing developmental, behavioural, social-emotional, medical or other complex needs. This is a senior, hands-on role requiring a high-energy, engaging professional who can build trusting relationships with children and caregivers and provide services within Mareas therapeutic spaces, family homes and community settings.

Duties

• Access, administer and interpret current and relevant infant and early-childhood developmental screening and assessment tools appropriate to the child, referral question and the Specialist’s professional scope.
• Observe and assess each child's developmental progress, documenting milestones and identifying areas needing additional support
• Develop, implement and evaluate individualized developmental and family-centred intervention plans based on assessment findings, observation, family priorities and identified developmental needs.
• Support a safe, nurturing, non-judgemental environment by maintaining cleanliness, safety protocols, and proper equipment use
• Coordinate with healthcare providers, educators, and community resources to ensure comprehensive support for children and families
• Assist in planning individualized care plans tailored to each child's unique needs and developmental stage
• Observe and assess development across areas including communication, social-emotional development, cognition, play, sensory development, adaptive functioning and gross and fine motor development, within professional scope.
• Create fun, interactive group content responsive to family and community needs, including developmental education, play-based learning, caregiver coaching, early relationship-building and practical strategies that can be carried into the home.
• Adapt language, demonstrations, resources and teaching approaches to meet different levels of parent/caregiver knowledge, learning styles, literacy and understanding.

Skills

• Extensive knowledge of infant and early-childhood development, including typical and atypical developmental trajectories.
• Demonstrated expertise in developmental screening, assessment, observation and early intervention.
• Strong knowledge of current evidence-informed infant and child developmental assessment tools and the professional requirements governing their use.
• Exceptional ability to engage infants and young children through play, interaction and developmentally appropriate activities.
• High-energy, warm, creative and engaging approach when working with children and families.
• Strong parent coaching, education, facilitation and relationship-building skills, with the ability to translate clinical information into practical, understandable strategies.
• Ability to develop and facilitate parent-infant/child groups and educational programming for families with varied learning needs and levels of understanding.
• Ability to work independently within clearly defined policies, professional standards and scope of practice, while contributing effectively to a multidisciplinary team.
• Strong organization, assessment, report-writing, documentation and computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite and electronic case-management systems

Pay: $25.00-$35.00 per hour

Expected hours: 10.0 – 30.0 per week

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Company events
• On-site parking

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree (preferred)

Experience:

• Infant Assessments: 10 years (preferred)
• Parent Support: 10 years (preferred)
• Creating & Facilitating Groups: 3 years (preferred)

Work Location: In person