Early Learning Specialist

Full time – 40 Hours per week 

The Early Learning Specialist supports a wide range of early childhood care and education providers in the Greater Charlottesville area to increase the quality of services available to young children and their families.  The Early Learning Specialist provides consultation, including assessment, coaching, training and/or mentoring, to guide providers in meeting their self-identified program quality goals using approved, evidence-based tools and state guidelines. The Early Learning Specialist links providers with appropriate community resources.  The Early Learning Specialist communicates with providers, directors, community partners, and children in an effective, positive manner.  The Early Learning Specialist works together with the Program Director to achieve program objectives and goals.

 

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or related field required; Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or related field preferred
  • At least five years work experience in a child care or preschool setting, preferably in a leadership role
  • Candidates familiar with and reliable on the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) preferred
  • Significant experience training and/or coaching adult learners using a strengths-based framework
  • Desire and ability to collaborate in a team-based professional environment
  • Effective and culturally-responsive oral and written communication skills
  • Ability to complete required data entry and reports in an accurate and timely manner

 

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

Human Service Knowledge and Abilities

  • Keep informed of the developments in the field of early childhood education, adult learning, and related professional disciplines.

Assessment/Case Planning/Service Provision

  • Provide technical assistance related to best early childhood practices, professional development planning, or other topics, as assigned.
  • Provide group training to providers based on Virginia’s Early Learning and Development Standards and other approved curricula or standards, as assigned.
  • Rate, or otherwise assess, centers and family child care homes using the instruments approved for this purpose, as assigned.
  • Develop Quality Improvement Plans based on assessments of needs and goals, as assigned.
  • Provide consultation to enrolled providers to enhance program quality as identified in the Quality Improvement Plan, as assigned.
  • Assist with outreach and recruitment activities, as assigned.
  • Refer providers to additional community supports, as appropriate.

Reporting/Documentation/Evaluation

  • Participate in agency data collection and analysis, specifically Performance Measurement System.
  • Enter all data in an accurate and timely manner, no later than the end of the month.
  • Maintain up-to-date records on program participants and activities according to program requirements.
  • Respond to emails and phone calls in compliance with guidelines as cited in the Program’s Policies and Procedures Manual. Conduct and coordinate evaluation of the program according to program requirements in order to improve and advance service delivery and outcomes.
  • Work with supervisor to assess program effectiveness and individual performance through outcome evaluation.

Supervision

  • Be prepared and meet regularly with Program Director as required to discuss assigned program activities
  • Participate in group supervision and training sessions.

Community Collaboration and Training

  • Establish and maintain relationships with other early childhood professional development providers
  • Collaborate and work cooperatively with child care providers, directors, and teachers.
  • Attend and participate in group supervision to increase knowledge and skills related to best practices in training, mentoring and coaching early childhood Early Learning Specialists
  • Share professional knowledge with other ReadyKids staff

 

CORE COMPETENCIES

All ReadyKids Employees will…

Relational:

  • Actively promote vital connections between children, caregivers, staff, and our community partners.
  • Resolve issues with the person(s) most directly involved by sharing your thoughts and feelings directly and respectfully, remembering that others have thoughts and feelings, too.
  • Recognize each person’s uniqueness and strengths. Treat people in a caring and respectful fashion, mindful of individual, cultural and ethnic differences.
  • Be respectful in verbal and written communication to and about participants and colleagues.
  • Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with participants, colleagues and donors.
  • Protect privacy and confidentiality of participants, colleagues and donors.

Engaged:

  • Fully embrace our mission and vision, actively contribute to meeting them, and serve as an ambassador to engage the community in our efforts by providing clear and accurate information regarding the agency’s function and current programs.
  • Participate in the decision-making process as opportunities are available to inform agency and program decisions.
  • Participate in scheduled agency and other team meetings.

Adaptable:

  • Recognize that one way does not work for everyone and stay flexible in our approach and thinking. Maintain flexibility in order to change when things change.
  • Present solutions along with problems with the goal of getting to yes. Stay open to new ideas and offer suggestions for new ways of doing things.
  • Be proactive; give and receive input and seek solutions that balance the needs of the individual, program, agency, and community.

Driven:

  • Maintain the highest integrity in all aspects of agency and program operations and duties.
  • Utilize evidence-based and best practice models and strategies to provide the best opportunity for success.
  • Set appropriate priorities and make progress toward performance-based goals established for self, program, and agency.
  • Be accountable for individual and program results and give and receive feedback to improve individual, program, and agency performance.
  • Seek and utilize all available sources of data on an ongoing basis to inform decision-making in completion of all job duties.
  • Reflect on individual, program and agency results for continuous learning and quality improvement.

You:

  • Participate in professional development and supervision to seek guidance, expand knowledge, and develop use of best practices.
  • Maintain passion and commitment to the agency’s work and participants.
  • Do your part to ensure the health and well-being of the entire organization.
  • Respect and protect agency-owned property and assets and use agency resources for business-appropriate purposes.

 

COMPENSATION/BENEFITS

  • Salary range: Starting at $46,000
  • ReadyKids pays 100% health, dental, and life insurance premiums for employee only plans
  • Voluntary vision and supplemental insurance
  • Generous paid vacation and sick leave; paid holidays
  • Employer-matched retirement plan

Open until filled. ReadyKids is seeking a diverse pool of applicants; all are encouraged to apply. Email CV/resume to Shannon Banks at sbanks@readykidscville.org.  ReadyKids is a drug-free workplace. EOE/ADA/AA.

 

 

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