Cleveland Sight Center·Cleveland, Ohio
The specialist provides developmental assessments and coaching to infants and toddlers with developmental delays and visual impairments. They partner with families to embed individualized strategies into daily routines and coordinate care within the Primary Service Provider model.
Under the supervision of the Manager of Early Intervention, the Early Intervention Specialist supports infants and toddlers (birth to age three) with suspected or diagnosed developmental delays, including visual impairments or low vision, and their families. This role uses a coaching and family-centered approach grounded in the principles of Ohio Early Intervention to promote the child’s participation in everyday routines and activities. Services are delivered in the home and community using a strengths-based, routines-focused approach in alignment with the Ohio Early Intervention model.
This role supports families in understanding and building upon their child’s visual abilities while fostering independence, confidence, and meaningful engagement in everyday activities.
This is a year-round position and does not follow a traditional school year schedule.
Essential Functions
Provide developmental assessments and ongoing support using a routines- based, strengths-focused approach.
Partner with families through collaborative coaching to create and embed individualized strategies within daily routines, promoting the child’s growth, access, participation, and learning
Support families in understanding the impact of visual impairment on development, providing guidance and modeling strategies such as environmental adaptations, optimal positioning, play-based engagement, and pre-braille/visual skill development
Develop and implement center-based service(s) (if appropriate), including group play-based sessions/playgroups for children and families and home-based interventions
Attend ophthalmology appointments with families when beneficial to service coordination.
Collaborate within the Primary Service Provider (PSP) model, consulting with specialists in vision, OT, PT, speech, and O&M as needed.
Build and maintain strong, trusting relationships with families and community partners.
Maintain accurate, timely, and compliant documentation according to agency and state requirements.
Determine eligibility and service needs; support referrals to county HMG/EI programs and community partners.
Participate in ISP and/or IFSP development and team meetings, utilizing the coaching model to ensure coordinated service delivery.
Participate in transition planning and Transition Planning Conferences (TPC); attend ETR/IEP meetings when possible
Coordinate with Cleveland Sight Center Clinic and families for eyeglass assistance or other vision-related supports.
Engage in ongoing professional development related to early childhood development, visual impairments, and the Ohio EI model.
Provide onboarding support to include coaching, initiating shadowing opportunities, and instruction and review of assessment methods as needed for new EI staff.
Support department and agency events as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned.
A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Early Childhood Education, Special Education, or a related field is required. Experience supporting young children with developmental delays is preferred, along with a Developmental Specialist certification.
Market context
In Ohio, Early Intervention Specialist roles are typically driven by ongoing demand for professionals who can support infants and toddlers with developmental delays in home- and community-based settings. These positions can be competitive because employers often prefer candidates with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a related field, relevant experience, and a Developmental Specialist certification. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits on this platform to quickly compare openings, then tailor your application to highlight direct work with young children and any certification progress.