Early Learning Coach

Position Description

The City of Seattle wants every child to have the opportunity to succeed in their education. This journey starts with providing access to high-quality early education to our youngest learners. To achieve this goal, Seattle is investing in early learning programs that aim to provide high-quality early childhood education. Early Learning Educators will need to provide nurturing care and instruction that builds on children’s strengths and develops their sense of engagement as lifelong learners. To ensure that we are providing Educators with the support they need, we are looking for an Early Learning Coach to bring expert guidance, coaching, and training for early learning programs.

Working within the Department of Education and Early Learning, you will work with administrators and early learning educators to align their goals with the City and state priorities, ensuring a high-functioning instructional leadership team. You will be tasked with using your evaluation skills to conduct program and classroom observations and analyzing the overall performance of educators, children, and the program as a whole. In order to make sure that educators have the resources they need, you’ll be responsible for providing on-site instructional and reflective coaching to educators, providing guidance through new curriculum implementation and ensuring that positive outcomes are achieved for all children and programs by using culturally and linguistically appropriate services and anti-bias practices. You will be required to continuously review current research and pertinent literature, as well as complete continuing education. This position will require a lot of innovation and works independently, but will also work within a team environment to ensure that performance standards and monitoring requirements are met.

The Department of Education & Early Learning strives to embed the City’s Race and Social Justice Initiative into its education objectives and seeks staff that value the importance of working together as a government and community to eliminate racial disparities and achieve racial equity. Our core values of equity, results, stewardship, transparency, and collaboration guide our work, support our operations, and hold us accountable.

Job Responsibilities

Do you want to learn more about being part of this program? In this position:

Your Top 3 Priorities Will Be

• Providing on-site instructional and reflective coaching to preschool and infant and toddler educators
• Supporting the implementation of an anti-bias and culturally responsive approach in all early learning classrooms
• Providing continuous high-quality coaching, mentoring, training, and implementation of approved curriculum and research based early learning best practices
  
  

Your Day-to-day Responsibilities Will Include

• Reviewing, analyzing, and interpreting assessment data and supporting quality improvements for all preschool and early learning programs
• Developing and implementing professional development trainings for early childhood educators
• Facilitating inquiry groups of early learning professionals to inform teaching practices and curriculum implementation
• Working with interdisciplinary and interdepartmental teams to coordinate health services, assessments, professional development, training, and coaching at all preschool and early learning sites
• Working with the coaching team to prepare and update coaching documents, manuals, forms, brochures, and other written materials
• Providing ongoing accurate and timely documentation of coaching work to support coach CQI process
• Working with early learning programs to support educator professional development plans
• Pivoting to virtual coaching and support if needed
  
  

You will be most successful in this role if you possess one or more of the following:

• Extensive experience coaching and training early learning educators
• Knowledge of or Certification in HighScope Curriculum
• Creative Curriculum
• Classroom Assessment Scoring System certification (CLASS)
• Certification in Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scales (ECERS-3)
• Experience providing assistance or coaching to heritage language speakers (particularly Spanish)
  
  

Qualifications

In addition to the qualities mentioned above, you will need to possess the below required qualifications (or a combination of education, training or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class):

• Bachelor of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education or Education, Childhood Development, Human Development, or Teaching Credential with emphasis on Preschool through 3rd grade education
• Five years professional experience in early learning, including teaching, coaching, and/or training
  
  

OR

• Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education or Education, Childhood Development, Human Development, or Teaching Credential with emphasis on Preschool through 3rd grade education
• Six years professional experience in early learning, including teaching, coaching, and/or training
  
  

OR

• Seven years professional experience in early learning, including teaching, coaching, and/or training
  
  

OR

• Master of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education or Education, Childhood Development, Human Development, or Teaching Credential with emphasis on Preschool through 3rd grade education
• Four years professional experience in early learning, including teaching, coaching, and/or training
  
  

In Addition To

• A valid driver’s license
• Ability to pass a criminal background check
  
  

Additional Information

This position is eligible for overtime and is classified as an Early Education Specialist, Senior-BU and is governed by a collective bargaining agreement between the City and the union, PROTEC17 – Senior Professional Unit. The full pay range for this step-progression position is $46.63 - $54.28 per hour. New employees begin at Step 1 of the pay progression, which is $46.63 hourly. Current City employees’ starting rate of pay will be based on Personnel Rules regarding promotions.

First round interviews for this position are tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, April 23 and/or Thursday, April 24, 2025. Second round interviews are scheduled for Wednesday, April 30, 2025.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact Lindsey King at Lindsey.King@seattle.gov to request accommodation.

The work associated with this position will require daily travel to provide on-site coaching and attend trainings throughout Seattle and parts of King County. The work is expected to be a hybrid combination of telecommuting and onsite work and meetings, as directed by business needs.

Individuals selected to fill this position may be eligible to receive Language Premium Pay (SMC 4.20.360), which provides a $200.00 monthly stipend to qualified bilingual employees who are properly evaluated and assigned to provide direct communication in-language, interpretation, or translation services to the public on behalf of the City of Seattle.

Applicants must successfully pass a background check, which will be conducted in accordance with Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17. Applicants will be given a chance to explain or correct background information and provide verifiable information of good conduct and rehabilitation.

DEEL supports the City of Seattle’s Race and Social Justice Initiative to end institutionalized racism by eliminating barriers to access, providing the staff and public with opportunities for growth, and developing equitable access to the programs and services we offer. If you share those values and meet the qualifications, we invite you to apply for this position. Please visit http://www.seattle.gov/education to learn more about the Department of Education & Early Learning.

The City of Seattle recognizes every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. Our culture is the result of our behavior, our personal commitments, and the ways we courageously share our perspectives and encourage others to do the same. To cultivate an antiracist culture, we seek employees who will engage in the Race and Social Justice Initiative by working to dismantle racist policies and procedures, unlearn the way things have always been done, and provide equitable processes and services.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans .

Application Process

Please submit your application at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/seattle/ no later than 4:00pm Pacific Time on Tuesday, April 8, 2024 . To be considered for this position, in addition to completing your application fully, please attach:

• A PDF of your current resume which illustrates your related skills, experience, and abilities
• Cover Letter explaining your interest in this opportunity with the Department of Education & Early Learning and capability to perform in this role
  
  

This position is open to all candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. The Department of Education & Early Learning values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, medical condition, or pregnancy. The Department of Education & Early Learning encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences. If you have questions, please contact Lindsey King at Lindsey.King@seattle.gov .