Education Services Specialist

POSITION OVERVIEW

Under the guidance of the Education Services Manager, the Education Services Specialist is responsible for ensuring high-quality early education experiences and a nurturing learning environment that promotes school readiness. This role involves monitoring, coaching, and providing technical assistance to staff, ensuring compliance with regulations, and supporting the implementation of comprehensive services for Head Start (HS) Preschool and Infant/Toddler programs. As the program coach, the Education Services Specialist will collaborate with staff to promote best practices in early childhood education, positive adult-child interactions, and developmentally appropriate practices.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and maintain positive, respectful, and supportive relationships with staff.
• Ensure the health and safety of enrolled children when visiting sites.
• Conduct regular site visits, requiring driving across both Lake and Mendocino Counties.
• Promote best practices in early childhood education by teaching and demonstrating positive adult-child interactions and developmentally appropriate practices.
• Ensure alignment of EDM practices across all classrooms and provide guidance to site staff.
• Monitor and maintain compliance with regulations related to the EDM service areas.
• Plan and schedule regular site visits weekly and provide a copy to the Education Services Manager.
• Complete monitoring, observations, and collect data using various systems and tools.
  • Conduct observations using the Classroom Assessment and Scoring System (CLASS), the Teaching Pyramid Observation Tool (TPOT), the Teaching Pyramid Infant Toddler Observation Scale (TPITOS), Fidelity tools, and CLASS Environmental tools.
  • Maintain accurate and timely records, data, and reports.
  • Summarize information to provide written reports to the Education Services Manager.
• Provide training, technical support, and guidance to teaching staff.
  • Provide constructive feedback and support to teaching staff.
  • Train and support new teaching staff as they learn their roles.
  • Plan and present workshops/trainings on child development topics.
  • Work close with staff, Site/ Early Learning Supervisors, to identify staff training needs, make recommendations to the Education Services Manager, and help design training programs.
• Provide Practice-Based Coaching using an evidence-based framework.
  • Work with the Site/Early Learning Supervisors to develop a schedule for conducting classroom observations as a foundation for determining needs.
  • Work with coachee and develop coaching plans, with specific goals and areas for growth based on classroom and individual observations, and other relevant data.
  • Submit coaching plans for review with the Education, Disability, Mental Health Manager, and assess teacher progress.
  • Follow-up on individual staff requests for coach services and document nature of training provided.
  • Provide constructive feedback and support to teaching staff for learning and growth. This may include activities, reading material, or other resources as needed to guide learning.
• Assist in the implementation of recommended strategies for children, classrooms, and individual staff to promote positive adult-child interactions; sensory and language rich environments; inclusive and developmentally appropriate practices; curriculum fidelity; and school readiness.
• Model Positive Behavior Supports when working with adults and children.
• Work to improve the consistency and effectiveness of collaboration between HS service areas.
• Participate in reflective supervision sessions for ongoing professional development.
• Ensure staff and family confidentiality by limiting access to records and following confidentiality policies.
• For bilingual employees, perform all job duties utilizing dual language ability as necessary to provide optimum support and services for clients and HSCDP staff.
• Actively participate in planning, decision-making, and problem-solving responsibilities with other staff to improve the consistency and effectiveness of and collaboration between HS service areas
• Generate, collect, and document Non-Federal Share Match (In-Kind).
• Must regularly drive or travel for work, attend classroom sites, meetings, and trainings.
• Attends scheduled meetings, training sessions and conferences as assigned/requested.
• Other duties as assigned or required.

ESSENTIAL WORK HABITS

• Align work behaviors in conformance with Head Start STRONG Culture and NCO’s Purpose, and Values.
• Report to work on time and obtain approval from supervisor for any changes in work schedule or absences.
• Maintain a strict commitment to confidentiality, in accordance with Agency and project policies and procedures.
• Follow NCO’s Injury Illness and Prevention Plan, as well as all Agency and program safety protocols, procedures, and policies.
• Maintain focus on the assigned tasks.
• Take pride in creating a positive, efficient work environment.
• Treat co-workers and clients with respect.
• Represent NCO and its programs to the community in a positive light.
• Dress appropriately according to assigned job duties and responsibilities.
• Adapt constructively to change.
• Be honest, reliable, and dependable.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Training and Experience:

• A bachelor’s degree in early childhood education /child development (ECE/CDV) OR in a related field***.
• Must possess or obtain a Child Development Teacher Permit or higher within 6 months of hire.
• At least 3 years of recent experience working with ECE teachers or directly with children aged 0-5 in a licensed setting.
• A minimum of 2 years of classroom teaching experience, preferably in a Head Start/Early Head Start program.
• Must complete 15 hours of professional development annually.
  *** 24 ECE/CDV core units and 3 units supervised field experience in ECE/CDV setting required.  (Core courses include child/human growth & development; child/family/community or child and family relations; and programs/curriculum).

License & Certifications

• Maintain a current Infant and Child CPR First Aid certification or complete requirement within (30) days of hire. Employee is responsible for renewing and maintaining a valid CPR/first aid certification at all times.
• Obtain and Maintain certification in Classroom Assessment Scoring System 2nd Edition (CLASS) and CLASS Environment.
• Maintain current driver’s license and insurance

Knowledge of:

• Principles of adult learning theories.
• The developmental stages from birth to age 5.
• Principles and practices of effective interpersonal communications.
• Child development and early childhood education theories, principles, and practices for preschool, infant, and toddler-aged children.
• Developmentally appropriate activities, including literature, music and movement, multicultural and bilingual education, anti-bias curriculum, and other program content.
• Inclusive and effective teaching practices in relation to children with special needs and/or disabilities.
• Current early childhood best practices
• Understanding of Head Start Performance Standards (preferred).

          Required Skills:

• Analyze data to inform coaching practices and improve educational outcomes.
• Must be proficient in the use of computers and a variety of software programs, including web-based platforms; must at a minimum be familiar with the use of word processing, email, and spreadsheet programs.

Ability to:

• Communicate clearly and appropriately both verbally and in written English (required); bilingual ability (English/Spanish) preferred.
• Provide training and support for staff in early childhood education, including child growth and development, guidance techniques, child observation and assessment, diversity and inclusion, and individualized programming.
• Develop and implement age-appropriate curriculum for groups and individuals, some of whom are individuals with disabilities.
• Meet deadlines pertaining to required monitoring and coaching documents.
• Demonstrate emotional maturity, stability, tactfulness, and the ability to provide professional leadership.
• Motivate, engage with, and work effectively and appropriately with children, parents, and other adults from a variety of socio-economic backgrounds is required.
• Interact with others in a culturally and emotionally appropriate manner.
• Maintain professional relationships with staff and children.
• Understand and conduct oral and written instructions.
• Follow guidelines regarding the handling of confidential information and documents.
• Prepare and give presentations in various settings using audience-appropriate methods and technologies.
• Work a flexible schedule to accommodate attending scheduled work events and professional development opportunities as needed.

Necessary Special Skills & Requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• For work-related driving, must have a valid California driver’s license, a verifiable good driving record, and access to a vehicle with insurance that covers the employee as a driver OR reliable transportation with proof of automobile insurance.
• Employment is contingent on completion of a pre-employment health screening, and meeting TB test and regulatory immunization requirements related to work in a Head Start Program and licensed childcare facility.
• Employment is contingent on receipt by program of a Criminal Record Clearance confirming eligibility to work in a licensed childcare facility.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, listen, and communicate clearly;
• The employee frequently is required to sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, use manual and automatic office equipment, and reach with hands and arms.
• The employee is occasionally required to stand; bend; reach down and stretch overhead; walk; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds unassisted and may occasionally move and lift heavier materials with assistance using ergonomic guidelines.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close and distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• The ability to travel during the day and/or night, sometimes long distance – possession of a valid California Driver’s License and access to an insured vehicle is required.
• Interaction and contact with outside agencies, vendors, funders, volunteers, donors, and contributors is a frequent aspect of this job.
• The employee will regularly use computers and computer printers, telephones, and other similar electronic office equipment.
• The employee may regularly use kitchen equipment and implements that can be heavy, hot, or sharp, as well as cleaning and sanitizing products.
• The environment can be noisy and includes the comings and goings of small children and their families.

Note:  This class specification should not be interpreted as all-inclusive. It is intended to identify the core essential functions and requirements of this job. Incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification. Any essential function or requirement of this class will be evaluated as necessary should an incumbent/applicant be unable to perform the function or requirement due to a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)or California FEHA. Reasonable accommodation for the specific disability will be made for the incumbent/applicant when possible.