Head Start Education Specialist

Summary: The Tri-County Opportunities Council Early Head Start/Head Start Program serves 483 expectant mothers and children ages birth to five in the nine Illinois Counties of Bureau, Carroll, LaSalle, Lee, Marshall, Ogle, Putnam, Stark, and Whiteside. The program offers comprehensive child and family development services to those deemed eligible. The program’s primary goals are to partner with parents to promote self-esteem, increase self-confidence, and advance school readiness skills for children. Comprehensive programming includes education, medical, dental, mental health, and nutritional services; welcomes children with disabilities or special needs; and provides family education, advancement, and social service support while connecting enrolled families to community resources and transportation assistance. The program offers various options to meet the needs of children, families, and communities throughout all nine counties.

Mission Statement: T.C.O.C. Head Start is committed to taking the leadership role in developing partnerships to build stronger communities. We create and nurture supportive experiences that lead to successful outcomes for children, families, and staff.

Agency Name: Tri-County Opportunities Council

Program Name: Early Head Start/Head Start Program

Job Title: Head Start Education Specialist

Reports to: Education Manager

Status: Full-Time. Full-Year.

Educational Requirements: A bachelor's degree in early childhood education or equivalent coursework in early childhood education with early education teaching experience is required. Special training or experience in employee supervision and working with vulnerable populations in preferred.

If hired, employees without the required credits/credentialing will be required to sign a professional development plan upon hire with a designated timeline for completion.

Other Requirements:

· Employment is contingent on a cleared criminal background check (national database), a cleared background check as per the Department of Children & Family Services Licensing Standards, and the successful completion of the 90-day probationary period.

· Must pass a general physical examination and TB screening at the time of hire and every two years after that. Provide proof of completed MMR and Tdap vaccinations.

· Must be able to enter and exit internal and external spaces safely and with ease

· Ability to stand, walk, bend, stoop, twist, push, pull, and occasionally perform moderate lifting

· Ability to be punctual and maintain regular attendance

· Ability to adjust to new situations (adaptable)

· Ability to manage time and multitask (work as a team and be self-directed)

· Ability to anticipate happenings, problem-solve, and offer viable solutions

· Ability to apply practical and responsive interpersonal skills

· Must be technology proficient

· Must obtain and maintain First Aid and CPR Certification

· All other duties as assigned

Confidentiality: The person filling this position must abide by the program’s confidentiality policy and established Code of Ethics regarding children, family, staff, and agency matters.

Accountabilities: Regularly review and evaluate program services while proactively ensuring compliance with existing and new regulations. Provide guidance, support, and supervision for learning environments, curriculum implementation, instructional leadership, staff evaluations, and professional development. Promote effective practices that enhance child outcomes and ensure adherence to educational standards, policies, and procedures. Responsible for ensuring compliance with child screenings, assessment, and referral processes. Ensuring the individualized needs of children with disabilities, including but not limited to those eligible for services under the IDEA, are being met and all children have access to and can fully participate in the full range of activities and services.

Adhere to internal and external policy, procedure, and best practice

* DCFS Licensing Standards

* Head Start Performance Standards

* Child and Adult Care Food Program

* OSHA

* T.C.O.C. Early Head Start/Head Start Policy and Procedures

* T.C.O.C. Human Resource Policy and Procedures

Support the mission, goals, and objectives of the Tri-County Opportunities Council Community Action Agency and, more specifically, the Early Head Start/Head Start program.

Essential Duties:

· Responsible for program supervisors' instructional leadership, evaluation, and professional development. Responsible for providing feedback and coaching supervisors, observing their instructional practices, and offering constructive suggestions for improvement

· Responsible for fostering collaboration and the development of professional learning communities among educators and supervisory staff

· Responsible for facilitating workshops, seminars, and training sessions

· Responsible for monitoring and evaluating the implementation of educational policies

· Responsible for monitoring local, state, and federal educational standards

· Responsible for monitoring curriculum implementation, reviewing student performance data, and providing feedback to enhance the effectiveness of instructional practices

· Responsible for maintaining high-quality teaching practices that positively impact an expectant person and student learning outcomes

· Responsible for monitoring the assessment cycle (fidelity)

· Responsible for tracking and ensuring compliance related to child screenings and assessments

· Responsible for guiding and tracking the referral process and evaluation results

· Responsible for ensuring enrolled children with disabilities, including but not limited to those eligible for services under IDEA and their families, receive all applicable program services delivered in the least restrictive possible environment and fully participate in all program activities

· Responsible for collaborating with other members of the program and the mental health consultant to develop goals and objectives for Social Emotional Support Plans as needed for students with behavioral deficits that impact their learning

· Responsible for supporting staff and supervisors in planning implementation strategies of goals and objectives, monitors and evaluates results, and recommends programmatic improvements related to behavior and positive classroom climate

Responsible for recruiting, interviewing, and hiring qualified staff

Professional Development Responsibilities: Attend and actively engage in professional development training designed to assist in acquiring or increasing the knowledge and skills needed to provide high-quality, comprehensive services within the scope of the assigned job responsibilities.

As per the Office of Head Start requirements, a minimum of 15 clock hours of professional development per year for all staff (45 CFR 1302.92)

Benefits:

• Dental Insurance (Must work 20 hours/per week)
• Vision Insurance (Must work 20 hours/per week)
• Life Insurance (Must work 20 hours/per week)
• Health Insurance – 2 Plans (Must work 30 hours/per week)
• Partially Paid Family Medical Leave
• Bereavement Leave
• Sick Time
• Paid Time Off
• Retirement Savings Plan
• Career Advancement Opportunities

For current staff applying for a different position, the wage is base pay (based on current qualifications) plus 1% for each year of previous agency employment.

Tri-County Opportunities Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provider. Applications from women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and people from diverse cultural backgrounds are encouraged.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $23.46 - $32.31 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Rock Falls, IL 61071 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Rock Falls, IL 61071: Relocate before starting work (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $23 - $32