a Primary Purpose of Position

The Social Emotional Support Specialist works to improve the quality of child care services available to the families of Lee County by building relationships and coordinating the services provided by Partnership for Children and Families to the child care community, as well as promoting the benefits of healthy social emotional support through implementation and management of healthy social interactions and labeling of emotions of young children and care providers.

Duties and Responsibilities

ECE Admin and Technical Assistance

• Assist and provide support to classroom teachers and/or site directors to ensure the social and emotional developmental needs of classroom/center children.
• Assist in the classroom as needed.
• Knowledgeable in developmentally appropriate behavioral tools and practices that meet the individual needs of the child(ren).
• Communicate, and work alongside Healthy Social Behavioral Specialist, consultants, educators, and mental health professionals to assist childcare providers/families in promoting positive behaviors in young children.
• Classroom setup that meets the needs of the child(ren).
• Provide support, as needed, for any grant activities related to early childhood.
• Provide training for facilities, educators, and community members on behavioral strategies, tools, and techniques to help children gain proper social-emotional skills.
• Contribute content, as needed, to email blasts, websites, social media sites, annual reports, and other public awareness materials that promote the utilization of services.
• Serve as team lead on special events/projects targeted at child care providers.
• Participate in monthly team meetings to identify facilities preparing to upgrade/renew their licensing status.
• Attend TA roundtable meetings with regional staff.
• Provide on-site technical assistance such as room arrangement, record keeping and supply inventory, environmental rating scale prep, compliance training, etc.
• Assist with planning of on-site training for facilities based on needs assessed during visits.
• Assist with facilitation and, as needed, provide training to providers.
• Receive “Train the Trainer” training for Child Care related training requirements as directed by the Early Education Manager.
• Serves as a liaison between PFCF and the childcare community to promote collaboration and maintain professional relationships and activities.
• Assist in the Resource Library to members as needed.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of NC Child Care Regulations.
• Ability to perform rating scale and technical assistance visits.
• Knowledge of adult training strategies.
• Develop and conduct effective group training presentations
• Deal effectively with individuals at all business levels and a variety of situations rewiring tact, judgment, and composure.
• Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, verbally and in writing, and to plan and execute work effectively within a specified time frame.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of information in the performance of duties.
• Ability to make decisions and to take action within the boundaries of the position.
• Capacity to accept and follow through on assigned responsibilities with minimal guidance and supervision.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Board and/or Committee members, supervisors, peers, child care providers, parents, community agencies, and other resources.
• Ability to mentor and coach child care center and home staff
• Possess strong interpersonal skills, which allows for appropriate interaction with personnel in the state, in the community, and within the agency.
• Superior organizational skills, and the ability to work efficiently and accurately amid frequent interruptions.
• Works competently with the computer and related software, calculator, telephone, copy machine, and other equipment, as required.

Education and Experience - Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, (Birth to Kindergarten, preferred), or related field.
• EEC Level 11 (or higher) certification on the Early Care and Education (ECE) Scale or School Age (SA) Scale.
• Five years work experience required; prefer min of two years of classroom teaching experience in a child care setting, supervising and evaluating others, monitoring budgets, evaluation program effectiveness.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to organize and manage multiple projects and assignments
• Working knowledge of child development,
• Strong administrative capabilities, including computer database management and record-keeping
• Effective in building rapport with child care teachers, directors, families, and colleagues in other agencies, including diverse groups.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in community collaboration, public relations, and/or marketing
• Experience and skills in training or coaching adults
• Working knowledge of strategic planning, program design, and evaluation

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS*

While performing this job the employee is:

• Frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands or arms; and talk or hear.
• Periodically required to stand; walk, stoop, kneel, and/or sit on the floor.
• Occasionally required to lift up to 40 pounds.
• Routinely required to drive a vehicle for business travel and must have a valid NC Driver’s License with less than 4 points.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus to operate the computer.

*Reasonable accommodation will be provided when needed for an otherwise qualified candidate to perform the essential functions of this position.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Evening and Saturday work will be required occassionally.
• Access to a personal vehicle for business travel is required.

Employer’s Rights: This job description is general in nature and illustrative of the kind of duties and responsibilities required of this position. It is not exhaustive and does not contain a detailed description of all of the duties that may be required of the incumbent occupying this position.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $18.50 - $20.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Vision insurance

Shift:

• 8 hour shift

Weekly day range:

• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Work Location: In person