Infant Toddler Specialist (Child Care Specialist II)

Job Announcement

Works as part of the Virginia Infant Toddler Specialist Network in the Ready Region Capital Area (RRCA). The RRCA includes the counties of Fairfax and Arlington and the cities of Fairfax, Falls Church, and Alexandria. Designs, coordinates, delivers, and evaluates training and professional development for early care and education programs (childcare centers and family childcare programs) and provides coaching and technical assistance to early childhood educators to deliver high quality services to infants and toddlers. Services will be prioritized for publicly funded early childhood programs participating in Virgina Quality Birth to Five (VQB5). Works under supervision of the Child Care Specialist III.

Note : Position requires flexibility in scheduling, including some evening and Saturday hours.

Illustrative Duties

Serves as the "expert" within a function, a particular field of knowledge or services (e.g., disabilities, health, education, child care referral) within a broad program area;

Assists in developing, enhancing, and assessing programs;

Recommends changes to local policies and procedures;

Assesses needs, and develops, delivers, and evaluates training programs;

Oversees delivery of technical assistance provided to providers, parents, centers, and the community;

Coordinates services with other governmental programs and community organizations;

Works with multidisciplinary teams to develop plans to best meet children's needs;

Reviews research and demographic data for official county reports;

Maintains current knowledge of legislation, best practices, and performance measures;

Updates systems and resources to match current program strategies.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of the principles, concepts, and methodology of assigned area of accountability;

and / or extensive knowledge in particular area of expertise;

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;

Ability to keep current on the latest theories of early childhood development and education;

Ability to work independently and as a member of a team;

Ability to assess, deliver, and evaluate training.

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS :

Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following :

Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to")

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in early childhood education, psychology, social work, or a closely related field; plus two years of experience in day care administration, early childhood education, or related human service administration.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED :

Valid driver's license (required)

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS :

The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, a Child Protective Services Registry check, and a driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer.

Additional Work Schedule Requirements : For special assignments / deadlines, alternate / flex schedule or comp time may be an option.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS :

• Graduate degree (master or doctorate level) in early childhood education

Three (3) years of direct service and at least one (1) year of direct experience working with infants and toddlers (birth through 36 months)

One (1) year of experience working with adults (e.g., training, mentoring, or leading caregivers / teachers) 25-40 hours of previously delivered training experience; and Early Intervention background

Providing coaching and / or technical assistance to early childhood educators working with infants and toddlers

Certified Class Observer (Infant, Toddler)

Experience with Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) Infant / Toddler, or Language Environment Analysis (LENA)

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS :

Work is generally sedentary in nature; however, incumbent may be required to do some walking, standing, bending, and carrying of items up to 25 pounds. Ability to operate keyboard-driven equipment. Ability to communicate verbally and in writing. Sufficiently mobile to visit early childhood programs and attend meetings at various locations and make presentations to county staff and community. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE :

Panel Interview and may include a practical exercise.

The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 38.7% of residents speak a language other than English at home (Spanish, Asian / Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and others) and we encourage candidates bilingual in English and a foreign language to apply to this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and / or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov. EEO / AA / TTY.

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