Position Overview

A Head Start Early Childhood Specialist is responsible for the planning and support of staff competency in implementation of a developmentally appropriate early childhood classroom in order to meet the social, emotional, intellectual, and physical needs of the children. Strengthen the skill sets of staff in high quality adult-child interactions and teaching practices through individual and group modeling, instructing, and training. Serve as a content-area expert within the State of Michigan Licensing Rules and Regulations to assure all rules are being followed and complied with. Assist the site in ongoing daily operations in conjunction with the site supervisor.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide classroom coverage to ensure that appropriate licensing ratios are maintained.
• Maintain an orderly, healthy, and safe environment conducive to optimal growth and development of children in compliance with agency, state and federal guidelines and regulations.
• Cultivate relationships with education and site staff to maximize teacher-child interactions and enhance teacher knowledge and skills in the evaluation of child progress and effect change.
• Work independently, establish priorities and manage deadlines, multi-task and work in a fast-paced environment; and work flexible hours.
• Support and assist early childhood educators in identifying specific needs of children, developing educational plans, and referring children for further evaluation when necessary.
• Maintain Inter Rater Reliability in the agency child assessment tool.
• Generates and compiles reports to provide follow-up when required.
• Ongoing observations and data analysis to assess curriculum fidelity, children’s progress, adult-child interactions and support for the classroom environment.
• Proactive and positive approach to behavior guidance by modeling and teaching the HS4KC approved guidance models, including PBIS.
• Model best practices for adult/child interaction, based on the CLASS system.
• Ensure that classrooms are set up to reflect a culturally responsive and high-quality inclusive learning environment, including developmentally appropriate materials and equipment.
• Coordinate and collaborate effectively with agency staff to carry out the goals and meet the needs and expectations of the department and the agency.
• Attend meetings and trainings, as required.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Dental insurance
• 401(k)
• Vision insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Tuition reimbursement
• Life insurance
• Retirement plan
• Referral program
• Flexible spending account
• Health savings account
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Employee assistance program

Hours & Location

• Mon-Thurs [7:30am-5:00pm] & Fri [7:30am-11:30am]
• One of our sites within Kent County, to be determined at interview

• One of the Following:
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher with a stated major in Early Childhood Education or Child Development
  • A Bachelor’s degree or higher in a child-related field including 18 credit hours in Early Childhood Education or Child Development and 480 hours of experience
  • A Bachelor’s degree in any area that includes a minimum of 18 credit hours in Early Childhood Education or Child Development and 1,920 hours of experience
• Must have or complete a minimum of two (2) credit hours in childcare administration within six (6) months of hire in accordance with the Licensing Rules for Child Care Centers
• Knowledge of and experience with Head Start Performance Standards and State of Michigan Child Care Licensing Rules preferred.
• Must obtain and maintain CPR /First Aide within 90 days
• Proficient skills in the use of Microsoft Office

About Head Start for Kent County

Head Start for Kent County provides high quality services at no cost to qualifying families. We work alongside families to deliver comprehensive services to children five and under, promoting their wellbeing and development. We offer an excellent benefits package with health insurance that starts after just 30 days of employment. Several benefits are even at little to no cost to the employee. We provide generous time-off and paid holiday policies that start on your very first day. Additional perks include half-day work on Fridays, Employee Assistance Programs providing corporate discounts, wellness programs for both physical and mental health including free counseling sessions, retention and attendance incentives, professional development opportunities, tuition reimbursement, including paid in full CDA’s and assistance with Associates degrees and above. Find out about these and other ways in which we invest in our employees at https://hs4kc.org/employee-perks

Connections working at Head Start for Kent County