What are the responsibilities and job description for the Technical Assistance Specialist position at Shine Early Learning?
The Montana based project, named SPARK Learning Lab Montana (SPARK), provides regulatory and quality technical assistance to child care programs and professionals across the state. We provide technical assistance and training with a focus on building relationships, using a practice-based model that includes self-directed, group, and one-on-one learning. We are seeking professionals who are eager to make a meaningful impact on the lives of young children by supporting quality improvement efforts for the child care providers who serve them. We are building a local, Montana based team of leaders, technical assistance staff, and other specialists, working across the state to ensure continued regional and community knowledge and engagement.
**The location of this position is in Montana**
Job Summary:
The Technical Assistance Specialist is responsible for providing key aspects of a tiered technical assistance approach by supporting providers through a cohort-based and/or individual services. The Technical Assistance Specialist provides support, both in-person and virtually, to programs who are seeking to improve quality and make progress towards their goals. They will coordinate closely with other staff, monitor reports and trends coming from various data systems to ensure that support is well-targeted and effective. The Technical Assistance Specialist will provide quality support services to all program types, to include tribal communities, as required by the State.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
- Provides Technical Assistance services to child care programs; follows Shine’s protocols and Montana’s requirements to ensure consistent regional/statewide quality and access to services.
- Works with assigned programs to assess their practices and develop improvement goals and plans.
- Provides tools/resources to support program planning and progress on identified goals.
- Provides tools and resources to support program planning, quality improvements, professional development, and progress on identified goals.
- Achieves compliance with project deliverables by providing technical assistance services.
- Provides translation and interpretation services for both written and spoken training related communications.
- Manages communications with providers in both languages, such as writing emails, answering phone calls, and scheduling meetings.
- Utilizes in person and virtual assessment activities to provide program information on classroom settings.
- Supports teacher strengths, and areas of growth including teacher and child interactions, classroom instruction, and classroom management.
- Develops and facilitates small group learning environments, including peer-to-peer opportunities and one-on-one mentoring.
- Engages in coaching cycles that include observation of practices, reflection and feedback on displayed coaching interactions.
- Facilitates professional development which may include in-person and virtual learning opportunities.
- Participates in assigned meetings, events and training as required.
Job Requirements:
- 5 years of early care and education experience, and/or 2 years of technical assistance experience. Experience in Montana strongly preferred.
- Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE), Child Development or related field preferred.
- Experience delivering professional development and coaching support (in-house within a childcare/early education program) or to other programs.
- Level 4 or higher in the Montana Career Path, PDS II, and completion of all required state training and certifications.
- Experience teaching, mentoring, coaching in an ECE classroom/program setting.
- Experience working with a variety of ECE program types preferred, including, both family and group childcare.
- Experience delivering services in the Practice-Based Coaching model preferred.
- Experience developing, implementing, and/or participating in a Quality Improvement Action Plans (QIAP) in a program and/or local, regional, or state level.
- Travel required locally or long-distance up to 30% of the time for work-related meetings and functions.
- Must have a valid driver’s license and/or reliable transportation.
- Montana residency required.
We offer a comprehensive benefits package including:
Medical, Dental and Vision insurance
HSA/FSA Accounts
Life/AD&D Benefits
Disability Benefits
401k with matching
PTO
Wellness Programs
Additional voluntary benefits at no cost to you!
