Education Specialist

Position Summary:
Under direct supervision of the Education Coordinator, is responsible for the Education Program Service Area Plan requirements. Assists with the provision of educational services to children 0 to 5 years of age. This position ensures that children ages 0-5 years old, including children with disabilities, are provided with comprehensive services and a culturally relevant, developmentally appropriate learning environment that maximizes opportunities for each child’s physical, emotional, social and cognitive growth. Monitors compliance with various tools including the Environmental Rating Scales, the program’s curriculum model, and the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS). Supports CAPSLO’s mission by ensuring that children, pre-natal to five years of age, are served, along with their families at a high level providing a rich education experience for all who are enrolled.

Required Education and Experience:

• Level 1
• Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development, or a closely related field.
• Level 2
• Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development, or a closely related field.
• Plus two years of experience in management and leadership in an early childhood program.
• Level 3
• Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development, or a closely related field.
• Plus five years of experience in management and leadership in an early childhood program

Or:

• Advance Degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development, or a closely related field.
• Plus two years of experience in management and leadership in an early childhood program.

Plus

• Must have completed six semester units in Infant/Toddler Development or Programs or complete within one year of employment.
• Two years of successful teaching experience with children (0-5).

License & Certifications:

• Must have dependable, insured transportation, a valid California driver’s license, and an acceptable driving record. A DMV printout and proof of insurance required.

Essential Functions:

• Provides guidance by offering training, support and suggestions through mentoring, guidance, observation, modeling and training. Assists in training Center Supervisors and FCCCs on providing orientation to new instructional staff, family child-care coordinators, and providers (as assigned).
• Works closely with Education Coordinator to plan and implement an effective training program for staff to increase their knowledge, skills and experience in child growth and development and teacher-child interactions.
• Assists in monitoring all program options as needed (center, family childcare and home base) in the assigned area by conducting regularly scheduled and unscheduled visits.
• Ensures that staff knows how to actualize the curriculum. Provides training and technical assistance to center supervisors, family child-care specialists and staff in setting up the program at the centers. Provides direction to center staff to ensure that lesson plans are individualized to meet the needs of the children and are developmentally appropriate.
• Ensures that the overall program quality offered in family child care provider homes, home base option, and at the center level adheres to all State laws and licensing regulations, the Federal Head Start Performance Standards, CAPSLO personnel policies and procedures and instructions from the Education Coordinator.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Participates in the development of classroom and/or provider programming as needed and ensures that the center instructional staff members understand and are trained in the implementation of the curriculum model. Guides, monitors and ensures that the model is implemented
• Participates in case conferences, case reviews and program quality reviews as needed to ensure that all centers comply with the Head Start Performance Standards, State Funding Terms & Conditions, and any other regulations and guidelines as set forth by the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children, Youth and Families, State Department of Education, and California State Licensing Standards, and local ordinances.
• Participates in the annual self-assessment processes to determine whether the prenatal, infant/toddler and preschool sections of the Education Service Plan comply with revised Performance Standards.
• Assists in developing and updating the Education Plan in cooperation with the content area coordinators, specialists, field staff and parents.
• Assists the Education Coordinator in the preparation of the annual grant proposals and budgets. Reviews education activities, costs and operations to ensure alignment with the education budget priorities that reflect the goals and objectives of the program.
• Assists and participates in the development of pre-service trainings and in-service trainings with other specialists, coordinators, and area managers.
• Works with the Education Coordinator to develop record keeping systems to track education component requirements; e.g., home visits, lesson plans, completion of child files, etc.
• Reviews and analyzes reports, records and directives related to the operation and delivery of education services to determine progress toward stated goals and objectives. Provides written analysis and gathered data of programmatic operations and on the effectiveness of child outcome and program improvement.
• Must maintain confidentiality at all times.
• Must be dedicated to the goals and philosophy of the CYFS Programs.
• Must use reasonable precautions in the performance of one’s duties and adhere to applicable safety rules and practices; and act in such a manner as to assure at all times maximum safety to one’s self, fellow employees, clients and children.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge:

• Has a working understanding of the program curriculum, the Environmental Rating Scale, and the DRDP system.
• Knowledge of developmentally appropriate education approaches and activities in all content areas for children ages 0-5.
• Understanding of appropriate bilingual/multicultural principles for children 0-5.
• Education Specialists must be certified reliable in Infant, Toddler and Preschool CLASS, or become reliable within the first 12 months of employment. CLASS reliability must be renewed annually.
• Have a working knowledge of the QRIS system

Skills:

• Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Must have strong computer skills, with knowledge of Microsoft Office, Word, and Excel.
• Must demonstrate sound judgment in decision-making.
• Must be emotionally mature, stable, and tactful.
• Must be self motivated with a strong sense of time management and organizational skills.

Abilities:

• Must be able to relate well to all people of the community regardless of color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, disability or socio-economic level.
• Must possess the ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with staff, parents, children and the community.
• Must understand, uphold, and continue working toward accomplishing the mission, strategic goals and performance measures of the agency.

Supervisory Responsibility:

• Education Specialist at Level III will have supervisory responsibilities as assigned by the Education Coordinator.

Work Environment:

• This job operates in a professional office and/or classroom environment. Requires working indoors in temperature-controlled environment with some exposure to copier and printer chemical/fumes.
• This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers and phones.

Physical Demands:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Physical:

• Must be able to lift up to 30 pounds.
• Position requires intermittent sitting, standing, walking, twisting and bending.
• Simple grasping and hand manipulation required, as well as reaching above and below shoulder level.

Travel:

• Attends all meetings, trainings and workshops as requested, which will require out of county or occasional out of state travel including overnight visits.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications:

• Must be at least 18 years of age by date of hire.
• Must submit proof of current vaccination status for measles, pertussis, and influenza (or a current, signed influenza declination form) in compliance with SB 792.
• Must comply with the CAPSLO COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, either being fully vaccinated or sign a COVID-19 vaccination declination form.
• Must complete a health screening physical completed within 30 days prior to employment and a current TB skin test/Chest X-Ray.
• Employment is contingent upon meeting all job requirements and background requirements: criminal history check (Inclusive of DOJ, FBI and Child Abuse), acknowledgement of child abuse reporting responsibility, criminal record statement (Form LIC508), etc. A criminal history clearance is required prior to employment.
• Upon hire agency staff will check the Megan’s Law (or the current sexual predator website) to ensure each staff being hired is clear for employment. Program administrative staff will check the website annually to ensure all program staff are cleared to work.
• Must meet the Head Start Performance Standards and State requirements.
• Employment in Head Start, Early Head Start and Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Programs is contingent upon approval of the Policy Council.

Other Duties:
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Reasonable Accommodations:
I have read and understand the Essential Functions of this position, including the Responsibilities and Duties. I also acknowledge that the Responsibilities and Duties for this position may change in the future with or without prior notice.

I further understand that I can request a reasonable accommodation, should one be necessary for me to carry out the Essential Functions of this position. I can perform these with or without reasonable accommodation.

Benefits & Perks:
Stay Healthy!

• Keep yourself healthy with our comprehensive Medical, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance plans (Did we mention we pay your monthly premium at 100% if you are full time, YES…100 %!)
• Keep your family healthy with the same comprehensive Medical, Dental, Vision available for you to purchase!
• Address everyday concerns with access to our Employee Assistance Program for you and your family.
• Get involved with company-sponsored monthly wellness challenges!

Be Financially Fit!

• Save for your future by enrolling into our retirement plan with generous company matches after 6 month.
• Set aside pre-tax dollars to cover medical or child care expenses through our Flexible Spending Plans.
• Utilize Discounts from our partners (reduced rates for pet insurance, cell phone services, car rentals and more).

Take time for you!

• Relax, recharge, and reconnect with friends and family or plan your get away for a few days while using your vacation time awarded to you every pay period!
• Relax when you are sick, rest assured you are covered by your awesome team and accrued paid sick time!
• Honor diversity on our paid holidays of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth National Independence Day. Want to celebrate a day that’s especially meaningful to you? We’ve got you covered with a paid Personal Holiday.
• Enjoy the holidays! You get 14 of them…PAID!

Career Growth & Professional Development!

• Work in an environment that fosters learning excellence and provides ongoing opportunities for experience and education.
• Explore our education assistance programs to support your professional development and empower your career journey. (*must be hired under eligible program)
• Apply for our education leave program, which allows paid time off to take career related courses or education reimbursements! (*must be hired under eligible program)
• Feed your mind, fuel your career with our lunch and learn sessions and various virtual training opportunities!

Have fun at work!

• Celebrate birthdays and anniversaries with your team!
• Join one of our committees and meet employees across the agency.
• Rock your CAPSLO provided hats, t-shirts, sweaters and more!
• Be you!