Quality Improvement Specialist (Bilingual)

NOTE: This position requires bilingual ability in English and Spanish, both written and spoken!

*Note:

For applicants with extensive qualifications and/or years of experience, hiring range may be exceeded with approval. If approval is granted, it will be based upon careful review of the applicant's qualifications, experience, internal equity and budgetary considerations. The final rate approved will typically never be at a rate equal to or above the established midpoint of the pay range for the position.

Community Action Organization reserves the right to modify, interpret or apply this job description as needed. The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties (including essential duties), and skills to be performed by the employee occupying this position. This job description is not a contract implied or otherwise and the employment relationship remains at-will. The aforementioned requirements may be subject to change to reasonably accommodate qualified persons with disabilities. All positions are contingent upon funding and successful passing of all required background checks, required registry checks, and physical screenings if required.

All staff in positions which regularly require driving either company or personal vehicles while performing work on behalf of Community Action are required to provide Human Resources proof of a valid driver's license for a motor vehicle record check both at hire and annually thereafter. Human Resources will conduct a motor-vehicle record. These records will be held as confidential records in Human Resources. All accidents will be reported to Human Resources within 48 hours.

Special Note on Central Background Registry Requirement:

In order to be offered any position within our Family Stability - CCR&R team, you must be currently enrolled in Oregon's Central Background Registry. If you are not currently enrolled, you may still be considered for this position, but no offer of employment may be extended to you until this requirement has been completed. For information on how to enroll in Oregon's Central Background Registry, please visit www.childcareinoregon.org or call the Office of Child Care at 1.800.556.6616.

Benefits: All regular full-time (RFT) status positions of 20 hours per week or more year round or part year of .50 FTE or higher are eligible for our outstanding benefits package including:

• Individual Medical with premium covered at 90%
• Free Dental insurance for the employee
• Health care waiving employees are eligible for a health care waiver benefit of $100 per month
• Employer matched retirement dollar for dollar for the first 3%
• Generous paid sick and vacation time
• 13 paid 0bserved holidays
• Free life and long term disability insurance
• Medex travel assistance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Rich and diverse mission-based working environment
• Possible student loan forgiveness through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program
• Staff meeting program criteria for use of a second language in their position may apply for and if approved qualify for a bilingual pay benefit of $100 per month

Position Summary:

In support of the Agency's mission, this position responds to training and technical assistance requests to address the needs of early education programs serving children enrolled in Washington County, while also proactively supporting Continuous Quality Improvement. This position serves as a mentor to early educators in family and center based child care settings, school districts and other early education programs to meet licensing requirements, Spark standards and increase the quality and availability of early care and education for children, and their families, in Washington County.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Create ongoing trusting relationships with early education programs to develop the most conducive environment for learning and reflection.
• Adhere to NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct and apply the Oregon Equity Lens.
• Deliver regular one-on-one consultation, professional development and mentorship to early educators and administrators of early learning programs in the community.
• Assist in the development, review and maintenance of early educators' professional development with state licensing requirements and participation in Spark.
• Provide consultation and support around Spark standards and implementation as needed, including but not limited to:
  • Children's learning and development
  • Health and safety
  • Personnel qualifications
  • Family partnerships
  • Administration and business practices
• Provide on-going technical assistance and support around educator competencies, Oregon's Early Learning and Kindergarten Guidelines, quality assessment tools and applicable checklists.
• Assess and evaluate early educator needs and provide appropriate education, referrals, resources, support or problem solving.
• Support early educators to create annual Continuous Quality Improvement Plan goals, action steps and identify available resources to achieve goals.
• Help early educators create professional development plans, apply for quality improvement grants and education awards and access the training required by the Office of Child Care to meet licensure requirements.
• Onboard early educators to participate in cohorts and/or networks.
• Recruit and inform early educators on becoming listed with DHS in order to accept families receiving Employment Related Day Care (ERDC).
• Provide technical assistance and support for early educators whose families are receiving Employment Related Day Care (ERDC).
• Utilize monthly Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) reports to conduct intentional outreach in training requirements and professional development in the Oregon Registry.
• Conduct entry point trainings including the ODHS Orientation Part 2 and Introduction to Registered Family Child Care (IRFCC) Part 2.
• Be familiar with the Environmental Rating Scales (ERS) and be able to conduct observations using the tools in order to support high quality early learning implementation.
• Recruit early educators for participation in state licensing requirements and continuous quality improvement.
• Provide direct technical assistance and instruction to improve program quality and effectiveness, including instruction on Developmentally Appropriate Practices for child care programs and early educators.
• Provide technical assistance in helping early educators obtain college coursework to develop their skills and expertise.
• Provide technical assistance, professional development, and resources in support of small business child care owners to strengthen their business functions, including automation opportunities through technology and shared services.
• Develop and deliver high quality trainings that align with the Oregon Registry in support of early educators' professional development.
• Monitor and update data using partner databases (ORO, CCRISP, DHS Citrix and Find Child Care Oregon) to ensure qualifications and early educator information is current and accurate.
• Write and/or edit articles for the CCR&R quarterly newsletter.
• Ensure that the CCR&R annual training plan meets the needs of early educators in Washington County promoting school readiness and developmentally appropriate practices.
• Support Quality Improvement Coordinator and CCR&R Program Manager with state and local reports.
• Develop and maintain forms for early educator cohorts and/or networks.
• Make presentations on quality child care as needed in the community.
• Attend required trainings and meetings.
• Strictly adhere to all safety policies and procedures at all times and respond/correct any at-risk safety issues immediately.
• Strictly adhere to agency code of ethics and standards of workplace behavior.
• Perform other duties as assigned to meet business needs including regular and reliable attendance and adherence to all company workplace behavior standards.

Marginal Functions and Responsibilities:

• Other marginal functions and responsibilities as assigned.

Required Education/Training/Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in ECE or related field (Human Development, Child and Family Studies, Social Work, Sociology, Psychology) or the ability to achieve a Step 10 on the Oregon Registry within 12 months of hire date
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in an early childhood program
• Knowledge, skills and abilities to support early educators in the Oregon Registry and Spark
• Knowledge, skills and abilities to deliver relationship based professional development and have familiarity with adult learning practices and all learning styles
• Experience working with a diverse population establishing trusting relationships
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of issues surrounding systemic inequity, systemic racism, and the ongoing pursuit of methods to address these both individually and within group process
• Knowledge of inclusive practices in early learning programs
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Intermediate computer skills to carry out the functions of the job including experience in using and managing databases (ability to manipulate data, design and run reports), proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects
• Enrollment in Oregon Central Background Registry prior to offer of employment being extended
• Bilingual as needed for the population as reflected in the community

Preferred:

• 2 years of experience providing Technical Assistance and training to early education programs, providing classroom observations and/or home visits to families with young children
• Knowledge of early learning quality assessment tools, including:
  • Classroom Assessment Scoring Scale (CLASS™)
  • Environmental Rating Scale (ERS)
• Knowledge of child assessment and screening tools, including:
  • Teaching Strategies Gold
  • Teaching Pyramid Observation Tool
  • Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ)
  • Ages and Stages Questionnaire-Social Emotional (ASQ-SE)
• Experience owning and operating a family child care business or child care center
• Oregon Registry Master Trainer Certification
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of community members

Required Licensing or Other Special Certifications:

• Requires a valid Oregon driver's license, proof of auto insurance for private vehicle, and access to reliable transportation.

Required Physical Demands of Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Work is performed in normal office environment with moderate computer and phone use.
• Must be able to travel throughout the region and to other required opportunities, including overnight and/or on weekends.
• Local driving in various traffic and weather conditions to provider's facilities or homes.
• May be required to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends.
• In normal work day, may stand/walk 4 hrs/day; may sit 4 hrs/day; may drive 4 hrs/day; may use hands for repetitive grasping, pushing and pulling, typing and fine manipulation _4_ hrs/day; may use hands at or above shoulder level for _1_ hrs/day.
• In normal work day, may bend, squat, and/or climb frequently.
• Work is light in nature, lifting maximum of 20 lbs with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 20 lbs.

How to Apply for this Position:

To be considered we must receive a completed Community Action Employment Application form. You are welcome to also include a cover letter and resume at your option. Transcripts may be required for certain positions. Applications can be completed on our website: www.caowash.org or you can print off the application to complete or pick up the application form at either of our following locations:

Hillsboro - 1001 SW Baseline St, Hillsboro OR 97123

Beaverton - 5050 SW Griffith Dr, Suite 101, Beaverton OR 97005

Be sure to submit your application in a timely manner. If you choose not to complete an online application, you can send your completed application form, optional resume and cover letter and any other required documents via fax at 503.400.3691. If you prefer to mail your application be sure to mail attention Human Resources at the Hillsboro office address above.

All application submissions will be acknowledged with a receipt notification. If you are selected for an interview, we will contact you.

All current Community Action employees are encouraged to apply for openings at Community Action which they are interested in. For current employees, some qualifications may be met by an equivalent combination or education and experience at the discretion of the employer.

COMMUNITY ACTION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Community Action is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, age, race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, or other protected status in accordance with applicable federal and state equal employment opportunity laws. Applicants with disabilities may request accommodation to complete the application and selection process. Please notify Human Resources at least three (3) working days prior to the date of need.

Salary : $26 - $32