The Child Center of NY·New York
The Senior Engagement Specialist provides consultation, coaching, and training to staff and families, focusing on children with developmental concerns or disabilities. They are responsible for conducting screenings, assessments, and referrals while ensuring compliance with Head Start and state regulations.
Summary Senior Engagement Specialist consults and supports staff, children, and families.
There will be a special focus with children having developmental concerns or diagnosed disabilities who may be eligible for services through the Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) or Early Intervention (EI).
The Senior Engagement Specialist will perform a broad range of services, including consultation in classrooms, during home visits; and across four sites (Astoria, Corona, Manhattan, and Woodside); training and coaching of staff; parent training; screening, assessment and referral services for children and families.
The Senior Engagement Specialist will also collect data, keep records, and support compliance in all facets of Head Start Performance Standards and State regulations including CPSE and EI.
DUTIES AND TASKS General Classroom Observations, Consultation & Coaching (40%) Visit each classroom at least once a month.
Provide child development information to staff related to social-emotional development and mental health strategies for supporting children with developmental concerns or disabilities.
Provide guidance to staff on selecting, implementing, and interpreting developmental and social‐emotional screening and assessment tools and findings.
Provide guidance and model developmentally appropriate activities for children and effective ways to work with and support young children, with IEPs/IFSPs or receiving CPSE/EI services.
Provide written and oral observations and strengths-‐based feedback to classrooms on an annual basis.
Meet classroom teams to review classroom observations and develop and implement plans to address the needs of children with developmental delays or disabilities.
Staff Training (10%) Support, coordinate, and provide staff trainings related to developmental, social-emotional and mental health issues at least once per quarter, including best practices for working with toddlers and preschool children with developmental concerns or disabilities and understanding the CPSE/EI process.
Programmatic Consultation (5%) Participate in weekly staff meetings.
Participate in the development and implementation of mental health programs and policy, ensuring alignment with CPSE/EI and special education requirements.
Parent Training (10%) Coordinate and facilitate parent and child groups, including supporting families navigating the CPSE/EI process or supporting children with developmental concerns or disabilities.
Individualized Child- and Family- Centered Observations & Consultation (20%) Conduct observations of individual children.
Meet with families to consult on child and family needs and create or follow-‐up on plans to support needs.
Individual Child Screening, Assessment & Referral (10%) Conduct standardized developmental, behavioral, and/or social-emotional screens and assessments for individual children as assigned or referred for consultation.
Provide child and family referral and follow-‐up to special education services.
Other (5%) Participate in regular supervision with Program Director and other Consultants Contribute to federal, state, and local reporting requirements.
Support recruitment of children with disabilities.
SCHEDULE Services are provided within a 35-hour work week and a flexible schedule, which may include some early morning or evening work.
Knowledge Demonstrated understanding of infant and early childhood mental health, including knowledge of developmental disabilities and the CPSE/EI process. Experience working with toddlers and preschool children with developmental concerns or diagnosed disabilities and their families. Experience with clinical documentation, including documentation required for CPSE referrals and IEPs. Experience formulating and writing assessments and support plans, preferably for young children, including those with special education needs. Demonstrated understanding of differences in mental health services and concepts across cultures. Understanding Reflective Consultation and ability to use a reflective stance when collaborating with teams. Demonstrated knowledge of child mental health services systems. Experience with evidence-‐based practices and curricula to promote early childhood mental health is desirable, e.g., Ackerman, Incredible Years, Parents as Teachers, etc. Knowledge of Head Start is desirable. Skills Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with staff and families. Partner with providers as a member of a diverse team. Lead and facilitate training for parents and staff. Conduct standardized screens and assessments, preferably for young children. Use results of screens and assessments to guide work with families, set goals, and develop individualized plans. Refer providers and families to community services. Communicate effectively with diverse groups both verbally and in writing. Organize and document assessment and screening results and use for ongoing quality improvement. EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE Master’s Degree required, preferably in Child Development, Infant Mental Health, Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, or related fields. Minimum of 3-year direct experience (5 years preferred) in an early childhood setting. Will support families that speak Spanish or Bengali and others, may be required depending on client needs. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only job duties to be performed by the incumbent. He or she will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other duties requested by his or her supervisor.
A Master's degree in Child Development, Social Work, or a related field is required, along with at least 3 to 5 years of direct experience in early childhood settings. Candidates must have expertise in the CPSE/EI process and the ability to work with diverse populations.
Market context
In New York, senior Early/Head Start engagement roles are typically in demand where programs need experienced staff who can support family engagement, compliance, and early intervention coordination. These positions are competitive because they often require a master’s degree, several years of early childhood experience, CPSE/EI expertise, and comfort working with diverse populations. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save time, then confirm your experience with CPSE/EI and prepare examples of family-facing work.