Job Description

ABOUT US:

Illinois Action for Children (“IAFC”), a local, state and national leader in the early childhood care and education sector for over 50 years.  IAFC programs, services, and advocacy improve learning and life outcomes for children and families, including reducing the effects of poverty.  IAFC works to ensure that every child in Illinois – particularly those in need – have access to the necessary resources to succeed in school and in life.

Along with our mission, IAFC is committed to building and maintaining a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and anti-racist culture. We are dedicated to this pledge through our hiring practices and our focus on creating a culture and environment where diverse perspectives, ideas, and identities are valued and integrated into our way of working and servicing our staff and clients.  IAFC staff represent a wide diversity of racial, socio-economic, gender, religious, and national identities.  We welcome all applicants who share our mission and vision to join us in our essential work.

SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the Provider Programs Training Manager, the Program Recruitment and Retention Specialist will provide relationship-based program recruitment, retention technical assistance and refer school age, new and existing licensed child care programs to Consultation Programs to additional support. The PRRS will work proactively to improve and to promote community understanding of children’s social-emotional learning, DCFS progression to licensure as appropriate, transitions and environment to promote ongoing quality and program improvement.  All work to be completed with minimum supervision and in accordance with organizational standards.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Provide ongoing support to child care home and centers to increase knowledge, competency, and capacity to support children’s social-emotional development and  emotional well-being.
2. Develop evaluation tool to track and monitor program recruitment and sustainability.
3. Assist providers in implementing best practices in their program (as indicated)—such as modifications to the environment, program planning, enhancement of communication and relationships.
4. Work in collaboration with Consultation Programs and Referral Database Team to build capacity within programs via home providers and teachers regarding children’s social-emotional development and well-being, while providing support and access to resources.
5. Work with Training Team and Community Partners to develop program delivery methodology in partnership with Gateways to Opportunity to maximize training access and effectiveness.
6. Develop technical assistance and training strategies to support internal and external dissemination of content.
7. Manage the overall development, daily maintenance, and growth of learning across various platforms, DTP as well as providing analytics.
8. Create, through collaboration with the External Relations Department, all communication and event marketing plans and materials.
9. Collaborate closely with the marketing team to ensure successful promotion of education offerings to meet the needs of our target audience.
10. Keeps records and prepares reports as required.
11. The organization may assign other functions to the job at its discretion

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Development, Childhood Development, Human Development or equivalent. Must hold or obtain within six months minimum level 1 Gateways ECE Credential or higher. ECE 2-5 and Technical Assistance Credential preferred.

Minimum of five years of direct practice experience in social services or the Child Care and Education field. Strong knowledge of child development, understanding of family dynamics, systems theory, and the importance of child-caregiver and family-caregiver relationships as well as DCFS licensing regulations.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES:

Valid driver’s license, access to reliable personal transportation with insurance

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Bilingual fluent Spanish preferred.

• Ability to discern and respect cultural diversity, and to respond appropriately within diverse audiences and constituencies. 

• Willingness and ability to travel (locally, statewide, and nationally) and able to work a flexible schedule.

• Self-directed.  Able to work remotely, independently and as part of a team.

• Excellent planning and organization skills—able to prioritize and work on multiple tasks simultaneously.

• Excellent writing, editing, speaking and presentation skills.

• Basic computer skills, with a good working knowledge of word processing, presentation software tools, correspondence tools such as e-mail, and able to accurately maintain electronic records.

Location: Uptown, Chicago, IL 

IL ACTION FOR CHILDREN IS EEO/M/F/V/D EMPLOYER.