Resource Specialist

Description Job Summary

Responsible to provide support, information and assistance to parents of children/individuals with unique needs and their families. When referring to parents it includes individuals that are identified as parents, caregivers or guardians. This involves participating in the organization of parent activities, group facilitation, advocacy support and training in accordance with the needs of parents and families within the service area including rural locations.

Supports the growth of parent leadership in education and systems change.

• Provide high quality individualized support and resources to families, and individuals needing assistance with special education and or regional center services.
• Identify family and or individual needs and provide clinics/one on one sessions as necessary.
• Contributes to the development of individual and organizational knowledge base of community resources in which families can be referred
• Required to organize and lead or co-lead support groups, and connecting activities including family cafes and caregiver group’s such as parent groups, fathers' groups, sibling groups, and grandparent groups as assigned.
• Develop and present all training and support material with emphasis on the parent’s perspective.
• Required to make public presentations and/or conduct trainings for parent groups.
• Maintain a high level of knowledge related to special education and other laws such as the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), American’s with Disability Act (ACA) and Lanterman Act.
• Stay current with, educational strategies, assessment, conflict resolution and other processes related to accessing educational services.
• Participates in ongoing professional development, department and team meetings, as well as in-service training provided by EPU such as consultation, reflective practice and supervision groups.
• Responsible to collect, summarize and report all data and information required by program.
• Adhere to EPU's policies and procedures and will maintain proper confidentiality.
• Maintain, manage, and process records, files and information in a confidential manner that meets HIPAA and other applicable confidentiality regulations.
• Position requires data entry, answering phones and various computer activities.
• Travel may be required with this position based on program needs.
• Exceptional Parents Unlimited, Inc. (EPU) facility hours are Monday – Friday; 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. The positions requires flexible to work varied hours including some evenings and weekend.
• Must perform other duties as they are assigned by the Manager, Director or Chief Executive Officer.

Must have a High School diploma or equivalent. College course work preferred but not required. Bachelor’s degree encouraged.

Must have strong communication skills, both written and verbal, able to make independent decisions within guidelines, accept responsibility, dependable, reliable, strong time management skills, committed, highly motivated, must have a professional code of ethics and a professional demeanor, must be adaptable, use good judgement, logic skills, self-confident, and capable.

• Prefer a parent or close family member of a child/individual with unique healthcare, developmental or emotional challenges.
• Experience working with diverse perspectives and parents of children with a wide variety of challenges.
• Prefer a strong understand of family systems and child development.
• Bi-lingual in Spanish or Hmong is a plus, but not required.
• Computer literate, knowledge of Microsoft Office products.
• Must hold valid California Driver's license and good driving record with no serious violations for the previous two-year period and be able to provide proof of current automobile liability insurance.

Staff is required to travel to assigned region and working out of community resource facilities. EPU does not have control over the location and condition of all the environments staff may be asked to work in.

Personal vehicle for transportation to attend meetings in the service area, computers, printers, telephones, and fax machines.

Must be able to sit for long periods of time, working with a keyboard, computer screen.

This position description may not be an exhaustive list of all duties, knowledge, or abilities associated with this classification; however, it is intended to accurately reflect the principle job elements. Related duties, knowledge, or abilities to those expressly stated may also be required for successful performance of the position.