Social & Emotional Specialist

Year Round Full Time

Professional

Lehighton, PA, US

Salary: $21.50 Hourly

Social & Emotional Specialist

Summary Purpose for the Position

Provide overall social and emotional wellness strategies to staff, enrolled children, and their families in the Child and Family Development Services program. Oversee the development, implementation, coordination and monitoring of a research-based, coordinated coaching strategy to support services for children with challenging behaviors. Ensure coaching plans and operational procedures are aligned with Head Start Program Performance Standards, and state and local licensing regulations. Remain current on all Early Childhood, Trauma Informed Care, and Training and Development Head Start Program Performance Standards. Provide training and technical assistance to center-level staff. Must have current physical exam, mantoux tuberculosis screening, professional references, and clearances.

Requirements (Education, Experience, Certification, Knowledge, Skill)

Bachelor’s degree in behavioral health, special education, early childhood education, educational psychology, or other fields closely related to the job requirements, and one-year experience working with children and families

Must demonstrate strong written, verbal and technology competencies. Must be able to interact with internal staff, enrolled children, families, and community providers.

Must possess administrative management and/or specialized skills and knowledge.

Must be able to work with a culturally diverse staff and client base.

Position Responsibilities

Implement PathStone’s operational policies and procedures, Head Start Program Performance Standards, state and local licensing regulations. Delegate, observe, monitor, evaluate and provide feedback to center staff and Support Team regarding compliance.

Collaborate with professional and community organizations, mental health consultants, disability professionals to incorporate and improve social emotional, and disability opportunities for staff, enrolled children, and their families.

Observes, screens, identifies, and develops plans for children and families with mental health and disability support strategies, including, individualized activities pertaining to a child’s educational support plan, difficulty adjusting to the classroom, and behavioral concerns.

Completes mental health assessments and individual classroom observations when challenging behaviors arise. Works with Early Childhood Early Childhood Education & Disability Services Coordinator and Professional Development Coach on CLASS and CSEFEL classroom observations, results, and improvement plans.

Provides in-class opportunities to address behavioral and adjustment concerns with identified children.

Provides stress reducing strategies to staff and parents.

Conducts parent workshops to provide relevant information about disabilities, mental health, and social emotional development in young children.

Facilitates referrals to community mental health providers, disability professionals as needed and participates in multidiscipline team meetings to provide social work consultation.

Conducts classroom visits to evaluate implementation of IEP’s & IFSP’s.

Works with Health, Family Engagement Coordinator/Advocate in implementing family goals related to a child’s diagnosed disability, family crisis event.

Works with the Health and Family Engagement Coordinator/Advocate, Early Childhood Early Childhood Education& Disability Services Coordinator, in designing, conducting or arranging for mental health and disability trainings for families.

Works with a team to implement a coordinated approach throughout the program environment. transition activities for children with special needs leaving the program.

Attend all required meetings, pre-service, in-service, professional development activities assigned, and other training as required.

Provide sound technical support, guidance and motivate staff in their professional development through coaching and mentoring.

Adhere to established Work Plan and update as necessary or directed by Supervisor.

Adhere to PathStone’s School Readiness Plan and Objectives.

Adhere to PathStone’s Program Goals and Objectives.

Adhere to Head Start Standards of Conduct and Safety Practices.

Assist in the physical maintenance and care of center facility such as sweeping, mopping, sanitizing and garbage disposal.

Perform other job-related duties as required or assigned.

Working Conditions/Environment

Must be able to work flexible hours (some evening/week-end hours).

Must be able to travel (some overnight).

Must be able to work with cleaning products such as bleach and disinfectants.

Moderate exposure to disease agents.

Includes outdoor work.

Position must frequently bend and lift up to 60 pounds.

Transportation Requirement

Position requires automobile, driver’s license and insurance.

Last Updated: 10/2025

Replaces: E6WC-Wellness Coach