Reports to: Superintendent
Primary Service Area: Statewide
Employment Term: 260 days/12-months; Exempt position
Salary/Wage Range: $105,695 - $170,003. New hires are offered up to mid-range, dependent upon qualifications and experience.
Deadline for Application: Open until filled
SummaryThe Early Intervention (EI) Department provides statewide home-based early intervention services to families whose children, birth through 6 years old, are deaf or hard of hearing. The Director supervises, develops, and maintains these services in adherence to all state and federal Part C IDEA regulations as well as Joint Committee on Infant Hearing (JCIH) and Conference of Educational Administrators of Schools and Programs for the Deaf (CEASD) quality assurance standards.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities (Other duties may be assigned)
- Partners with the New Mexico Department of Health's Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) program and the Early Childhood and Early Care Department's Family Infant Toddler (FIT) Individual's with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part C program to ensure immediate referrals to NMSD early intervention services.
- Acts as a liaison and collaborator between NMSD and the greater early intervention community, developing and maintaining relationships with other state and tribal agencies to promote and increase services to young Deaf and hard of hearing children statewide.
- Maintains and advances funding streams through relational Memorandums of Understanding, Intergovernmental Agency Agreements, grants, etc.
- Ensures accurate reporting and billing to all funding sources such as Medicaid and the Navajo Nation.
- Serves on and provides guidance to the state's IDEA Interagency Coordinating Council (ICC).
- Evaluates the Early Intervention Department on an ongoing basis and uses the evaluation information for change and improvement.
- Supervises the Regional Coordinators, the Statewide Pediatric Audiologist, and the Operations and Data Manager.
- Supervises the growth, development, and quality oversight of the NMSD Regional Infant Hearing Testing Centers as well as all other state and national early intervention initiatives.
- Serves as a Cabinet Member.
- Is responsible to the Superintendent's initiatives in strategic planning for the EI department and in implementing the agency wide NMSD mission and vision.
- Collaborates with Part B programs, Head Start, Early Head Start, daycares, and other agencies on transition planning.
- Participates at the national level on issues related to early intervention and young Deaf/hard of hearing children.
- Collaborates with pediatric audiologists and the medical community on a state level to provide information on NMSD early intervention services and supports.
- Ensures that ongoing statewide training for FIT staff is developed and offered in venues that support FIT providers throughout the state. This includes providing hearing screening trainings.
- Collaborates with Part B programs, Head Start, Early Head Start, daycares, and other agencies on transition planning.
- With assistance from the supervisory team, is responsible for hiring, ongoing training, mentoring, and reflective supervision of staff to maintain compliance with Part C quality indicators and FIT certification.
- Supervises the development and management of the department budget.
- Works a varied schedule to meet department and agency wide needs.
Position-Specific Qualifications/Requirements: Education and/or Experience:
- Minimum of a master's degree in Parent Infant-Deaf Education or related field. Minimum of two years of experience working as an early interventionist with families whose children are Deaf or hard of hearing.
- Minimum of two years of experience in a supervisory and/or leadership role.
- Possession of or ability to acquire a Developmental Specialist III certificate.
Qualifications and Expectations Applicable to All NMSD EmployeesTo perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Commitment to Vision- Must be committed to NMSD's Vision, Mission, and Beliefs
- Language Skills- Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports and correspondence. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, and the general public.
- American Sign Language: Proficiency in or willingness to learn American Sign Language required.
- Written Communication: Writes clearly and informatively; varies writing style to meet needs.
- Organization- Must be organized and detail-oriented.
- Analytical- collects and aggregates data for program maintenance and improvement.
- Continuous Learning- Seeks feedback to improve performance; pursues training and development opportunities; strives to continuously build knowledge and skills.
- Job Knowledge- Competent in required job skills and knowledge; exhibits ability to learn and apply new skills; keeps abreast of current developments; requires minimal supervision; displays understanding of how job relates to others; uses resources effectively.
- Use of Technology- Adapts to new technologies; troubleshoots technological problems; uses technology to increase productivity. Possesses a working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Outlook.
- Mathematical Skills- Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide into all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percentage and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
- Reasoning Ability- Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Ability to think independently, solve problems and work with the whole team.
- Problem Solving- Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; develops alternative solutions; works in group problem solving situations.
- Cooperation- Establishes and maintains effective relations; exhibits tact and consideration; offers assistance and support to co-workers; works cooperatively in group situations; works actively to resolve conflicts.
- Teamwork- Balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
- Diversity- Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; educates others on the value of diversity; builds a diverse workforce.
- Ethics- Treats people with respect; keeps commitments; inspires the trust of others; works with integrity and principles.
- Organizational Support- Follows policies and procedures; completes tasks correctly and on time; supports organization's goals and values.
- Adaptability- Manages competing demands.
- Personal Appearance-Dresses appropriately for position; keeps self well groomed.
- Attendance/Punctuality- Is consistently at work and on time; ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent.
- Dependability- Follows instructions, responds to management direction; takes responsibility for own actions.
- Initiative- Seeks increased responsibilities; asks for and offers help when needed.
- Quality- Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; looks for ways to improve and promote quality.
- Safety and Security- Observes safety and security procedures; determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; reports potentially unsafe conditions.
- Physical Demands- The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to drive for long periods of time; stand; walk and sit. Unless otherwise stated in this job description, the employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds.
