Title: Early Childhood Education Specialist - Programs Achieving Quality

Reports To: Program Manager

Salary Range: $47,000-$58,100

About United 4 Children

United 4 Children (U4C) makes children a priority. By providing children with healthy meals, creating safe places to learn and play, and providing social-emotional and inclusive services for children with special needs or challenging behaviors – United 4 Children ensures every child has the foundation to thrive. U4C offers high-quality support programs serving children up to 13 so that families can feel at ease knowing their children, regardless of ability, are receiving the best care possible and have every opportunity to succeed.

United 4 Children’s Values

At United 4 Children, it is expected that we center our common values in the work that we do individually and together. We hold each other accountable to live out these values in our work and celebrate with each other as we demonstrate the following:

• Community - We put the needs and desires of children, families, and caregivers at the center of our work. We partner with schools and fellow nonprofit organizations to create excellent educational and developmental opportunities for every child in the region.
• Trust - For the last 50 years, we have been honest and earnest in all our interactions. We strive to readily meet community needs particularly where other resources do not exist.
• Equity - We seek to understand the disparities facing children, families, and childcare providers. We ensure everyone has access to the resources needed to thrive.
• Empathy - We strive to understand the unique experiences of every person we encounter. We respect each person’s journey and seek to support everyone’s specific needs.

Overview:

As a specialist in early childhood professional development, you will strengthen the education component of the Programs Achieving Quality (PAQ) program in the 24:1 Normandy Collaborative Schools District in collaboration with United 4 Children, Urban Sprouts and STAR Coaching. You will design and deliver research-based training sessions for educators, employing diverse methods to ensure engagement and effectiveness. You will maintain a strong Community of Practice with oversight of PAQ provider-facing content, deliver instructional coaching, deliver classroom-based support, and coordinate and deliver training that enhances teaching quality in early childhood classrooms. You will collaborate with the program teams to ensure clients and programs can be successful in their quality improvement initiatives. Your duties include documentation, reporting and data entry.

A successful candidate will have collaborative spirit, growth mind-set and a strengths-based approach. As a member of the team, you will be actively engaged in the community including in close coordination with Urban Sprouts and STAR Coaching. As a key member of U4C’s Program Services team, this position will have an active role in establishing and growing relationships with clients and providing direct services to clients. This position is based on grant funding paid for by the Community Impact Network.

What You Will Do

Main Ro l e ****

• Develop strong partnerships with program partners, program directors and teachers
• Recruit, maintain and schedule a caseload of directors and teachers
• Plan, coordinate, and deliver educational programs, training services, and professional development sessions for educators, families, and the community
• Design trainings for the many ways in which a participant learns new information.
• Use state required platforms for approval and maintenance
• Accurately and promptly complete all necessary agency daily, monthly, and quarterly reporting and data entry, documenting all events in MOPD, in the United 4 Children Database and other databases as needed – within the specified time limits
• Perform peer review file checks to ensure team data is accurate and reliable
• Read and familiarize yourself with the work plan and contracts to ensure that you are aware of the responsibilities of the Education Specialist in meeting deliverables
• Collaborate with the Program Managers and program teams to ensure coaching, education and evaluation deliverables are met and support the classroom integration of skills gained from professional development
• Coordinate resources for children, families and educators with the Community Support Manager
• Assist providers with questions and registration for upcoming trainings
• Travel to a variety of locations may be needed when performing trainings
• Support education, evaluation and community support teams as necessary

General

• Actively participate in required agency and partner meetings and personal professional development
• Actively participate in agency events and fundraisers like the annual gala, annual conference, and other agency and events
• Some nights and weekends are expected with flexible work arrangements
• Utilize the designated agency phone system to conduct phone and text communications with clients and partners
• Utilize the designated project management and customer service management software
• Represent the agency and Programs Achieving Quality program at community engagement events, networking events, community building, and advocacy opportunities
• Support the agency’s marketing and messaging plans with subject matter expertise content
• Expend funds according to budget in coordination with management and operations
• Maintain a high level of confidentiality and professionalism
• Submit expenditure documents on time and accurately
• Collaborate and coordinate with third-party partners as necessary
• Follow all agency policies and standard operating procedures
• Other duties as assigned

Skills We Are Looking For

• A minimum of an associate degree and a bachelor’s degree is preferred with an emphasis of Early Childhood, Education, Special Education, Child Psychology, or a related field
• Equivalent work experience in Early Childhood, Early Childhood Special Education, Child Development, Elementary Education, Child Psychology, or a closely related field will also be accepted
• At least 2 years working with teachers/staff in a licensed, regulated, or public-school childcare or education
• At least 1-3 years of training and/or mentoring experience in the Early Childhood Field
• Pass a Family Care and Safety Registry Screening and state/federal fingerprint background checks
• Authorized to work in the United States
• Ability to retain a minimum of liability vehicle insurance.
• Self-motived, organized, and able to coordinate client caseload
• Strong interpersonal and people skills and experience in supporting diverse populations
• Excellent communication skills, responsive and objective listener
• A collaborative, positive attitude toward working as a team with other staff members
• Successful implementation of trauma-informed strategies.
• Conscientious use of justice, equity, and inclusion lens when working with self and others.
• Successful at working in multiple teams simultaneously.
• Ability to multi-task several projects in your daily work schedule.
• Ability to meet deadlines assigned by your supervisor.
• Ability to work some weekends and nights.
• Ability to use technology and information systems.

Perks and Benefits

· Health insurance: employer contribution of 80%

· Portion of dental insurance covered

· Employer paid 401 (K) contribution

· Employer paid Basic Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance with coverage of $50,000

· PTO (PAID TIME OFF): starting at 20 days annually

· Paid holidays: 13 days

· Annual merit-based incentives

· Monthly phone stipend

· Mileage reimbursement

· Flexible Schedule

· Hybrid and on-site work environment

· Employee Assistance Program

· Ask about our other benefits