Child Development Specialist

General Responsibilities
The Childrens Development Specialist is responsible for facilitating childrens groups and activities utilizing developmentally appropriate curricula focusing on problem solving, coping skills, self-esteem, healthy relationships, and saying no to drugs, alcohol and violence. Primary Counselor duties of providing direct counseling services to program clients is on an as needed basis depending on the program client count.

Core Job Responsibilities
Agency Commitment and Awareness

Creativity

Responsibility

Teamwork

Communication

Problem Solving

Customer Service

Financial Awareness

Essential Job Duties: Educational Environment

Plan, schedule, and supervise age-appropriate groups and activities for children utilizing prevention based curricula that are developmentally appropriate.

Provide a learning environment using consistent limits, appropriate positive guidance techniques, and respectful attitudes and actions.

Ensure that children are supervised at all times in accordance with AWRC Policies and Procedures

Provide an atmosphere for children to develop positive self-esteem and pride by incorporating each familys culture into activities.

Program Support

Provide weekly reports.

Actively participate in treatment team meetings as directed by the Program Supervisor and/or Mental Health Clinician.

Maintain all client files and information following AWRC Confidentiality Policies and Procedures

Facilitate inter-agency referrals to meet clients needs by working cooperatively with other agencies.

Record statistical data and prepare reports to meet agency and funding source requirements as assigned.

Work cooperatively with volunteers, interns, and others providing agency and client services.

Participate in in-service training and other meetings as assigned.

Program Clinical Support (if qualified)

Counseling
Establish a helping relationship with the client (parent/guardian) characterized by warmth, respect, genuineness, concreteness and empathy through a continuing assessment process.

Facilitate the clients (parent/guardian) engagement in the treatment/recovery process.

Work with the client (parent/guardian) to establish realistic, achievable treatment goals consistent with achieving and maintaining recovery.

Encourage and reinforce all client (parent/guardian) actions that are determined to be beneficial in progressing toward treatment goals.

Recognize how, when, and why to use the clients (parents/guardians) family members or significant others (as appropriate) to enhance or support the treatment plan.

Promote client (parent/guardian) knowledge, skills, and attitudes that contribute to a positive change in substance abuse behaviors.

Promote client (parent/guardian) knowledge, skills, and attitudes consistent with the maintenance of good health (as defined by both the client (parent/guardian) culture and the treatment culture) and the prevention of HIV/AIDS, TB, STDs, and other communicable diseases.

Facilitate the development of basic and life skills associated with recovery and the understanding of their existing mental illness.

Group Counseling
Describe, select, and appropriately use strategies from accepted and evidence-based, culturally appropriate models for group counseling with addicted or substance abusing client (parent/guardian).

Perform the actions necessary to start a group, including determining group type, purpose, size, and leadership; recruiting and selecting members; establishing group goals and clarifying behavioral ground rules for participating; identifying outcomes; and determining criteria and methods for termination or graduation from the group.

Facilitate the entry of new members and the transition of existing members.

Facilitate group growth within the established ground rules, and precipitate movement toward group and individual goals by using methods consistent with group type.

Understand the concepts of process and content and shift the focus of the group when such an intervention will help the group move toward its goals.

Describe and summarize client (parent/guardian) behavior within the group for the purpose of documenting the clients (parents/guardians) progress and identifying needs/issues that may require modification of the treatment plan.

Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications
Masters degree in Psychology, Early Childhood Credential, and/or CDA, preferred.

Certification as a Chemical Dependency Counselor (CDC) I or Behavioral Health Counselor I (BHC) or higher by Alaska Commission for Behavioral Health Certification (ACBHC), or certification by another certifying body, such as a state certifying affiliate of the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC) or other similar recognized organization; experience judged as meeting certification requirements may be accepted provided the applicant be certified within six months of hire

Three (3) years professional experience working with children.

Demonstrated knowledge of child development, birth through adolescence.

Demonstrated knowledge of issues affecting children with parents who abuse alcohol and other drugs and/or who are diagnosed with a mental disorder.

Demonstrated organization skills and ability to meet time deadlines.

Experience maintaining agency and client confidentiality.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Ability to work with individuals and families from diverse backgrounds and cultures.

Must be able to climb stairs. Must be able to lift and carry 25 pounds.

Current TB test, physical, and CPR/First Aid Certification required.

Current Alaska Drivers License and good driving record required.