Child Development Specialist

Salary range: $23.47 to $24.05.

Plus generous benefits package including health, dental, vision, life insurance, and a retirement plan. Generous vacation leave and 13 paid holidays each year.

The Head Start Child Development Specialist is responsible for assuring the compliance of all Head Start Centers with ACF guidelines in the Child Development area through ongoing assessment and documentation.

• Monitors the ongoing activities of the Head Start/Day Care Centers in order to assure optimum operation and compliance with all Child Development policies of the Community Action Agency, ACF, and DHS.
• Coordinates with the Head Start Director and Management Staff to assess regularly the quality of daily activities and use of facilities at each Head Start Center, document assessment results, assess related training needs, and provide ongoing assistance to each center.
• Conduct, coordinate, or procure training for staff and parents at Agency, Center, and individual level based upon assessed training needs achieving through Support System monitoring and management request.
• Maintain continuous research in Early Childhood Education, utilizing innovative techniques to develop new program approaches and ideas.
• Serves as a Master Teacher for classroom staff, modeling proper techniques to include LAP-D Assessments, SEPs, and the integration of Core Knowledge and Simply Phonics.
• Maintains a reporting system for classroom compliance.
• Utilize staff, parents, volunteers, and consultants as resources for maximum implementation of program goals.
• Monitors, corrects, and provides/secures technical assistance in the implementation of all required activities as written in Content Area Planning.
• This position requires frequent travel to offsite locations.
• Other related duties as requested to meet the goals of the program.

• The environment is varied to include the Head Start Support office, Head Start Centers, and various Community Resources.
• Must be mobile and agile in order to perform required tasks such as lifting up to forty-five (45) pounds, reaching above the head and below the knee, or positioning the body as to be on the child’s level and floor level.
• Must be able to bend, stop, kneel, crouch, and able to run or walk hurriedly for a child’s safety.

• Bachelor’s Degree in the Child Development field or related field.
• Five (5) years of experience in a preschool or education program.
• Human relations skills and management ability.
• Have a valid Oklahoma Driver’s License and transportation available.
• Must meet all applicable requirements established by state and funding sources including fingerprinting.
• Meet required work environment standards.

This position is considered safety sensitive under the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana and Patient Protection Act.

Reports to:

Head Start Director