Quality Education Specialist

Job Function:

To promote community awareness of and support for equal access to high-quality early care and education opportunity for all children, specifically those with disabilities and special health care needs.

General Goals:

• To identify community needs and resources related to developmental screening and referral
• To identify community needs and resources related to inclusion of children with disabilities and special health care needs;
• To promote community awareness of the need for and benefits of early detection, early intervention, and inclusion;
• To analyze the training needs of the community;
• To develop and implement strategies to meet identified training needs;
• To model best practices in early childhood inclusive education to early care and education programs and family child care homes
• To coordinate with other agencies, organizations, and programs engaged in related activities and service provision.

Specific Responsibilities:

• To collaborate with early care and education partners using tools for ongoing self-reflection that identify strengths and needs around inclusive practices
• Use Marathon office as a base and cover a minimum 1 day a week to support the needs of clients
• Assists the Monroe Manager with special projects, including community outreach activities and events as needed
• To identify areas of strength and areas of need in assigned programs with the goal of improving the quality of services, instruction, and supports for all young children and their families
• To build rapport with early care and education partners and the families they serve
• To recommend individualized accommodations/supports in high-quality settings that promote the academic and functional success of all children, specifically children with identified developmental delays or disabilities.
• To provide consultation and on-site technical assistance that strengthen inclusive environments through environmental program design, accommodations, adaptations and quality enhancement;
• To respond to partners accessing the Warm Line and, to the extent that time and resources permit, provide on-site technical assistance when requested or as part of a service delivery model;
• To develop and facilitate professional development opportunities to early care and education partners and families on topics related to screening, assessment, intervention and resources and referral through a variety of mediums (i.e. face-to-face, virtual, etc.).
• To complete on-site observations of children and programs
• To develop individualized support for children with disabilities participating in local early learning programs
• To maintain records of all materials created and activities performed;
• To provide records and reports to the Inclusion Manager, Director of Research and Evaluation and/or the State CCR&R Network Inclusion Analyst
• To collaborate with Monroe providers to provide targeted coaching based on the unique and evolving needs of the program.
• Demonstrates the ability to manage multiple projects and deliver technical assistance and coaching to multiple providers
• Demonstrates ability to work effectively with adult learners, especially in the areas of training and application of motivational strategies.
• Conducts classrooms observations, informal assessments, and provides meaningful feedback to teachers and staff on interactions, curriculum instruction, lesson planning, classroom management, developmentally appropriate activities and daily routine.
• Display knowledge of environmental quality assessments used within the QRIS (e.g., ERS, CLASS). Must become a reliable CLASS Observer within 3 months of employment.
• Enters detail, objective notes for each of the visits conducted to the program, into the WELS database, within the timeframe.
• Displays knowledge of DCF Child Care Licensing Rules and Regulations for Monroe programs.
• Demonstrates content awareness of the NAEYC Code of Ethics, Florida Early Learning Standards, child development, curriculum, child assessment and working with families.
• Assists providers in achieving accreditation/re-accreditation for all Gold Seal accreditation bodies.
• Demonstrates leadership in the field through ongoing professional development and participation in workgroups and professional organizations at the community level and/or state level
• Ability to work independently and organize activities essential to the position.
• Assists with eligibility screening and parent support for the School Readiness and Voluntary Pre-K program as needed.
• Assists the Managing Director with special projects, including community outreach activities and events as needed.
• Performs related duties as required.

Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to work under minimal supervision
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse populations in a culturally appropriate manner
• Ability to work independently and follow through on assigned tasks
• Excellent organizational skills to meet demanding timelines
• Ability to maintain all confidentiality requirements
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Ability to work with a diverse population
• Ability to work with staff, service agencies, and the public
• 50% or more travel will be required if needed
• Bi-lingual preferred

Qualifications (minimum):

• BA/BS (M.S./M.Ed. preferred) in Special Education with an Early Childhood/Pre-K Endorsement, and or Child Development
• Expert knowledge of child development and developmental milestones (birth to age 5)
• Experience working with children with disabilities and special health care needs in an early care and education setting
• Ability to design developmentally appropriate classroom accommodations/adaptations, strategies, and activities for children with disabilities and special health care needs
• Experience working with learners of all ages and abilities

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $50,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Ability to Commute:

• Marathon, FL 33050 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Marathon, FL 33050: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person