Summary : Purpose of position is to improve access to childcare for families by increasing the supply of high quality, licensed childcare programs in Dakota, Scott, and Carver counties through contributing to local and statewide efforts. Primarily remote position .

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Demonstrate commitment to the agency’s mission statement and core values at all times.
2. Follow all mandated reporting laws for child abuse and neglect.
3. Aid new childcare providers through the following ways:
   1. Assist individuals and organizations in the process of starting a licensed childcare program and/or sustaining or expanding existing licensed childcare programs through coaching and mentoring.
   2. Providing information and support with understanding regulations; program standards and best practices, such as policies and contracts; environment set up; business management, such as budget and marketing; licensing paperwork and application process and timelines.
   3. Connecting new and existing childcare providers with resources, including financial supports, business training, required professional development and Parent Aware participation.
4. Coordinate and implement outreach strategies for recruitment, including:
   1. Implement outreach and recruitment activities to identify individuals and organizations interested in starting or expanding licensed childcare; use provided market research and childcare supply and demand data in combination with knowledge of local communities to focus recruitment activities.
   2. Assess potential childcare providers’ interest and readiness for starting a childcare business.
   3. Identify and address systemic barriers and inequities, especially those affecting the Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) and non-English speaking providers.
5. Collaborate with community partners, in the following ways:
   1. Collaborate with broader Child Care Aware system and community partners (such as licensors, childcare associations, parent groups, school districts, businesses) who have an interest in increasing access to childcare for families or employees or who may have connections with potential childcare providers.
   2. Develop and maintain relationships with BIPOC community organizations to ensure recruitment and assistance activities are culturally responsive.
6. Utilize and maintain data and documentation by collecting and maintaining data in a case management system, maintaining confidentiality and accuracy, as well as creating and sharing reports and data.
7. Demonstrate commitment to work with diverse populations.

Qualifications

Minimum Education and/or Experience

• High School Diploma and Step 2 on the Minnesota Early Childhood Career Lattice, which states 25 hours of Achieve approved trainings in early childhood education within the last 5 years
• 1 year of experience in a licensed childcare setting.
• Working knowledge of basic MS Office programs (Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel).
• An offer of employment is contingent upon the acceptable completion of a background check prior to employment.
• Experience working with diverse populations.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Step 6 on the Minnesota Early Childhood Career Lattice, which would include a CDA or Associates degree in Child Development, Early Childhood, Human Services or related field Or Bachelor’s Degree in Early childhood or related field.
• 3 years of direct child care experience; experience starting a program is strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of MN DHS Rule 2 and/or Rule 3 child care licensing regulations.
• Experience with community organizing, community engagement, and outreach.
• Knowledge and experience with community resource, child development, and early learning standards.

Professional Abilities and Skills

• Interpersonal: Work with integrity. Ability to maintain confidentiality. Understand and comply with professional ethics and standards of practice. Contribute to building positive team spirit and put success of team above own interests. Recognize accomplishments of other team members. Seek increased responsibilities. Look for and takes advantage of opportunities. Ask for and offers help when needed. The ability to form and maintain collaborations among community partners and stakeholders.
• Work: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited direction may exist. Strive to continuously build knowledge and skills. Display original thinking and creativity. Include appropriate people in decision-making process. Adapt to changes, delays, or unexpected events in the work environment. Ability to keep accurate and complete work records. Support cost saving measures. Set and achieve challenging goals. Ability to provide supervision and coaching to support service volunteers.
• Time Management: Prioritize and plan work activities. Use time efficiently. Arrive punctually each work day; complete assigned tasks within required time frame.
• Communication: Speak clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listen and get clarification. Present and interpret numerical data and written information effectively.
• Leadership : Exhibits confidence in self and others. Inspires respect, trust and motivates others to perform well and fulfill vision. Effectively influence actions and opinions of others. Accepts feedback from others. Provides vision and inspiration to peers and subordinates. Gives appropriate recognition to others. Displays passion and optimism.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Must possess and maintain a valid Minnesota driver’s license and a reliable personal vehicle
• Must possess Personal Auto Insurance limits of $100,000/$300,000/$100,000 or a combined single limit of $300,000.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

• Regular travel within Dakota/Scott/Carver counties as well as occasional statewide travel.
• This position is a remote position and does not have dedicated office space. It requires access to internet connection.
• May utilize Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or other technology platforms for remote work.
• May have exposure to typical office environment, exposure to fax machines and copiers, computers, scanners and printers.
• Employee is subject to minimal noise level.
• Requires regular work from locations with unknown work environments.
• While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to walk, stand, climb stairs, bend, kneel, sit on the floor, use hands to write, type, use computers and lift up to 25 lbs.