ReadySteps Early Education Specialist

Full Time, 40 Hours per week

The Early Education Specialist works as part of a team to implement and facilitate family oriented, neighborhood based early-learning programming in partnership with the Family Support Specialist. This position utilizes expertise and experience in child development and early childhood education to support caregivers’ engagement in developmentally appropriate activities with their child during the early years. The Early Learning Specialist is also an advocate for educational access, and collaborates with community partners to identify and reduce barriers to participation in educational systems.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree in a human services field with experience providing direct service to children, adults, and/or families or equivalent experience.
Ability to develop relationships of trust and respect with diverse populations.
Ability to organize time effectively to meet assigned work demands.
Ability to evaluate own performance, capabilities, limitations and biases with reasonable self-reflection.
Current and valid driver’s license and maintain at all times a motor vehicle insurance policy that carries at least the minimum limits of liability of $300,000 combined single limit or $100/300/100 split limits ($100,000 per occurrence, $300,000 per accident for bodily injury, $100,000 per accident for property damage)

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

Human Service Knowledge and Abilities

Keep informed of child development and parenting practices, with a special focus on early childhood curriculum and instruction.
Keep informed of the impact of social, economic, and health barriers on school readiness and family success.
Complete Parents as Teachers (PAT) Foundational Training within their first year of employment.
Maintain current CPR and First Aid certification.

Assessment/Case Planning/Service Provision

Works in partnership with other program staff to facilitate early learning playgroup program as assigned, virtually or in person, leading the implementation of program activities related to the following:
- Coordinate preparation of early learning activities for each playgroup.
- Participate in the identification of barriers to school readiness and advocate for the development of needed resources.
- Advocate for families in the educational process.
- Provide digital content related to early learning and school readiness for platforms used by the program.
Implement screening and observation program in partnership with other program staff.
In partnership with the Program Supervisor, facilitate the development and delivery of parent education and support components of the program.
Coach parents to facilitate positive parent-child interaction through engagement in early learning activities.
Communicate program information with participant families in person, by phone, video conference, and/or text messaging service as necessary.
Work collaboratively with volunteers and other service providers to support program services.
Support program leadership in maintaining positive relationships with neighborhood leaders.
Maintain open lines of communication with all program staff to ensure the needs of each enrolled participant are met.
Establish a trusting relationship with families by initiating and maintaining regular parent contact through programming.

Reporting/Documentation/Evaluation

Participate in agency data collection and analysis, specifically Performance Measurement System.
Enter all data in the database on a weekly basis.
Maintain up-to-date records on program participants and activities according to the program requirements.
Respond to emails and phone calls on a weekly basis.
Assist in completion of grant reports as requested by supervisor.

Supervision

Meet regularly with Supervisor to most effectively plan and guide service delivery.
Work independently to provide services and use sound judgment but keep supervisor up to date on service delivery and any potential problems.
Be prepared for and provide input at team and other agency meetings.

Community Collaboration and Training

Partner with program participants to assess needs and access needed resources.
Collaborate with other ReadySteps team members to develop and maintain collection of available community resources throughout the program year.
Apply training information appropriately as evidenced in supervision, through interactions with participants, during program sponsored parent activities and in documentation of family progress.
Attend and participate in related departmental meetings and training.
Work with program leadership to identify and participate in community outreach activities related to the program.
Collaborate and work cooperatively with community partners and referral sources

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: Starting at $40,000
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

ReadyKids is committed to a diverse and equitable workplace. We believe diversity of identity, thought, approach, and experience provide the optimal environment for our growth, learning, and success. We aim to create a safe space where everyone belongs and can contribute to the organization in a way that is authentic and genuine to them. Click here to read our vision for justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

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