Child Development Specialist

Description

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Childhood Development Specialist assists in the planning and supervision of the delivery of the Child Development Component to families of the Child Care, Head Start, Early Head Start, and Foundation Classrooms; utilizes community resources and promotes early childhood development in the Early Care & Education Program; helps design and implement classroom activities and promote parent and child education; helps design and implement safety policies and procedures for ACAP Early Care & Education Centers; ensures program compliance with Head Start Performance Standards and Child Care Licensing Regulations related to classroom environments, supplies, materials, and equipment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Monitors center and staff activities to ensure ongoing positive early childhood practices through trainings and activities.
2. Assists with orientation and training of all newly hired Teachers, Teacher Aides, and Ed Techs.
3. Monitors required education records to ensure accountability; ensures all records are completed throughout the program year to meet federal, state, and program requirements.
4. Monitors child development education; assists in monthly program monitoring related to center environments and child development; advises and supports Teachers in organizing child development activities in classroom and for home visits.
5. Supports Service Coordinators by providing follow through on staff work plans and training recommendations.
6. Monitors classrooms to ensure all child work areas contain supplies, materials and equipment to meet program standards.
7. Facilitates and conducts staff trainings to meet program standards.
8. Interviews, hires, trains, supervises, schedules, and evaluates staff. Maintains and complies with performance review system for direct reports; mediates staff conflicts; counsels employees with performance issues; recommends disciplinary action as necessary; assesses program equipment and supplies and may order and distribute to staff and sites as needed.

NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Performs additional duties as assigned.

Requirements

Experience and Skill Requirements: The following requirements and skills are considered essential:

Experience:

• 4-5 years of prior related experience
• Supervisory experience
• Classroom in Early Childhood Education
• Utilizing group process with customers
• Crisis intervention and management
• Coaching and mentoring, preferred
• Facilitating workshops

Skills:

• Excellent verbal communication skills
• Excellent written communication skills
• Excellent listening skills
• Excellent organizational skills
• Excellent public speaking skills
• Excellent recordkeeping skills
• Proficient in use of Microsoft Office applications and other computer software as applicable to the position
• Communicate and present information
• Detail-oriented
• Research and disseminate information
• Work with a diverse population
• Handle frequent disruptions

Education and Knowledge Requirements: The following education and knowledge requirements are considered essential:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or social service field or equivalent combination of education and experience (program may require higher level of education or certification which will be reflected in compensation)
• Certificate in practice based coaching within 18 months of hire
• Head Start Performance Standards
• Child Care Licensing Regulations
• Infant/toddler, preschool, and school-age materials
• Open classroom/hands-on learning philosophy
• Working knowledge of curriculum development
• Working knowledge of Early Childhood Education
• Working knowledge of Special Education

Other Requirements: Additional requirements that are considered essential:

• Ability to work a flexible schedule
• Able to supervise remotely as needed
• Must pass required background checks
• Must hold current C.H.R.C
• Must have a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and provide proof of insurance

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GENERAL EXPECTATIONS:

1. Maintains and promotes the highest level of understanding of the Agency's Mission, Vision and Goals.
2. Maintains confidentiality; protects the Agency by keeping information concerning employees, those we serve, and the Agency itself confidential.
3. Follows all safety policies and procedures with a "safety first" approach to all job duties.
4. Exhibits a positive, professional, and collaborative attitude with others inside and outside the Agency.
5. Exhibits teamwork through effective internal communication and working relationships.
6. Is punctual for scheduled work and use time appropriately.
7. Performs required amount of work in a timely fashion with a minimum of errors.
8. Participates in trainings, conferences, and meetings as necessary.
9. Possesses and exhibits the highest standards of professionalism and personal integrity.
10. Represents the Agency in the community as appropriate to the role.

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PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by the Incumbent to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands are arms and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and taste or smell. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

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WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those the incumbent encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work is performed in an office setting as well as in child-based classrooms. The noise level is usually moderate. Occasional exposure to outside weather conditions. Frequent local and occasional long-distance travel may be required, sometimes in inclement weather. There may be occasional exposure to blood borne pathogens and other bodily fluids.

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Salary : $25