EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIALIST

OFFICE OF HEAD START TRAINING & TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE REGION 4

The Early Childhood Specialist (ECS) provides professional expertise in early childhood education and development through assisting Head Start and/or Early Head Start programs with consultation, training, policy and procedure development, and statewide agency collaboration in areas such as ongoing child assessment, curriculum identification and implementation, dual language learners, school readiness outcomes, and family engagement. The Early Childhood Specialist (ECS) provides intensive training and technical assistance to HS grantees based on ACF Regional Office (RO) assignments which requires travel and the ability to work on-site for periods of time ranging from one day to several weeks.  The Early Childhood Specialist (ECS) resides in IV.

  Responsibilities/Duties:

• Provides on-site, group, or virtual TTA to HS/EHS recipients related to school readiness, social/emotional support, family engagement, and professional development.

• Provides training and technical assistance in the following areas to support HS/EHS recipients in:

  o Improving teacher/child interactions as described by the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) for center-based preschool programs and other measures suitable for programs serving children from birth to five or children in home based and family childcare settings.

  o Developing the procedures and skills for aggregating and analyzing data obtained through multiple sources including ongoing child assessment, CLASS, child health, PIR, and family engagement data.

  o Selecting and implementing child assessment, curriculum, and teaching that is age, developmentally, culturally and linguistically appropriate across the birth to five spectra

  o Developing and implementing an effective research-based coaching model designed to improve the quality of teacher/home visitor/family childcare provider performance, classroom quality, and outcomes for children

  o Developing and implementing family engagement practices that support family progress as described in the Parent, Family and Community Engagement Framework (PFCE), including coaching of family engagement staff and selections and implementation of a parenting curriculum.

  o Strengthening birth to five transition practices, including building relationships with local preschools, elementary schools, and other partners.

  o Improve collaborations with Local Education Agencies (LEA), state agencies and other partners.

• Coordinates TTA with Grantee, Family Engagement, and Health Specialists to ensure effective integration of TTA across service areas, as directed by the RO.

• Provides content expertise in implementing national and regional priorities and initiatives.

• Works in partnership with federal Program Specialists to deliver high quality TTA services to programs.

• Maintains regular and timely communication with RO staff on delivery of TTA and progress toward corrective actions or quality improvement.

• Provides all data entry of action steps and progress in required OHS reporting systems such as SmartHub, and the Head Start Enterprise System.

• Participates in meetings including National TTA meetings, Regional Office meetings, team conferences, and one-on-one meetings with the ECS Manager.

• Provides various progress reports including weekly, monthly, and other periodic reports; meetings, events, and technical assistance; Monthly Travel; and quarterly plans for activities and expected outcomes.

• Supports emerging OHS initiatives and priorities.

Required Skills

Required Skills:

• Ability to utilize resources, research and available technology to appropriately provide guidance to staff, parents and partners regarding early childhood issues from the Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC), National Centers and other Office of Head Start national resources.

• Ability to develop, train and provide presentations to individuals, small and large groups.

• Familiarity with the Improving School Readiness for Head Start Act of 2007, Head Start and Early Head Start Programs, OHS Monitoring Protocols and processes, and knowledge of Head Start Program Performance Standards and Other Regulations as they apply to all facets of early childhood education, family engagement, collaboration, and professional development.

• Knowledge of software systems that hold career training data and child outcome data at the grantee level.

• Understanding of developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate curriculum and assessment.

• Ability to work both independently and in a team environment.

• Sustained concentration and attention to detail and accuracy.

• Ability to prioritize and manage workload and deadlines.

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Sufficient flexibility to work on-site with HS/EHS programs for periods of time.

• Obtain and maintain CLASS TOT certification, as required by individual regions.

• Valid Driver License and access to transportation.

Required Experience

Required Experience:

• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree preferred, from an accredited university or college with a degree in Early Childhood Education/Development or related field. Infant/Toddler coursework preferred for all candidates. If the highest degree was awarded more than ten years ago, the resume should be specific regarding courses, conferences, seminars that have been attended that ensure you have remained current in the field of early childhood education and/or child development.

• A minimum of five years’ experience working directly with young children ranging from birth to five years in age as well as experience in the provision of technical assistance to teachers, home visitors, family child care providers, coaches, and/or management team members.

• Demonstrated experience working with special populations or children in different learning environments, such as children with disabilities, children who are dual language learners, children in family child care settings, and/or children who are homeless.

• Demonstrated experience facilitating group discussions and presenting to range of audiences.

• Demonstrated ability analyzing data and assisting programs to make data driven decisions.

• Demonstrated experience providing training and/or technical assistance to programs in developing and/or implementing school readiness goals or plans.

• Demonstrated experience communicating, both orally and in writing, to various audiences.

• Demonstrated experience with mental health and/or social emotional development, as required by individual regions.

• Intermediate to advanced level experience with recent versions of Microsoft Suite, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Internet Explorer; ability to use current webinar technology and audio conferencing. Familiarity with Smart Sheets preferred.

  STG International, Inc (STGi) is a workforce solutions company providing comprehensive healthcare delivery, Head Start and management consulting services and human capital solutions help our clients. Our services and solutions help our clients sustain and enhance their operations to better accomplish their mission.

  STGi offers a competitive benefits package which includes Medical, Dental, Vision, 401k with company match and a generous PTO policy.

  STG International, Inc. is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.