Education and Developmental Specialist

Description

Under the direction of the Center Support Specialist and Education Manager, manages the Head Start education services in the center. Ensures that such services are comprehensive, culturally relevant, and developmentally appropriate in a learning environment that maximizes opportunities for each child’s physical, emotional, social, and cognitive growth. Ensures teachers support parents in their role as the child’s first teacher.

Full-time

• Manage all aspects of the education services in the center in accordance with the Head Start Act, Head Start Performance Standards, developmentally appropriate practices, early childhood education best practices, and the CDLF School Readiness Plan.
• Stay current on the early childhood education field of knowledge, including assessments and screening instruments.
• Provide ongoing training, mentoring, and technical expertise to teachers, teacher assistants, and center aides. Create in-service training plans based on the needs of the children and teachers.
• Work with the Center Support Specialist and human resources to ensure education personnel meet Head Start credentialing requirements.
• Complete staff development plans with all teaching staff and update them on a quarterly basis. Conduct annual performance evaluations of teaching staff.
• Review lesson plans weekly, ensuring activities are developmentally appropriate; meet individualization requirements; are in accordance with the CDLF School Readiness Plan; and include a variety of nutrition, health, and safety activities.
• Work with developmental specialists to ensure all children are properly screened and that screenings are documented and appropriately followed up on in a timely manner.
• Conduct, aggregate, and analyze the data from four assessments each season. Present assessment results at parent meetings.
• Work with the developmental specialist to ensure that IEP/IFSP/RTI and Behavior Plan goals are embedded within the classroom curriculum.
• Ensure each child’s paper and electronic files are accurate, complete, and up to date. Attend case reviews as needed.
• Participate with the center team in coordinating child transitions.
• Ensure teachers complete the Health and Safety checklist daily.
• Manage all classroom and education resource inventories.
• Maintain an ongoing flow of information between teaching staff and support staff, to include facilitating teacher meetings and attending center and agency meetings as required.
• Ensure home visits and parent/teacher conferences occur as per Head Start performance standards.
• Submit an education report monthly or as directed.
• Assume the Center Support Specialist responsibilities in the event of his/her absence.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Early Childhood Education/Child Development or related field.
• Emphasis or experience in special education, social work, or psychology.
• Three years of management and/or group process experience.

Being proficient in both English and Spanish is an advantage.

Comfort with extended periods of sitting or standing, the ability to lift to 50 lbs., and a readiness to perform various activities associated with caring for young children, including stooping, bending, and crawling. You may also be visiting families in agricultural settings.

We are passionate about our work and the incredible children and families we have the privilege to support. We have been dedicated to Community and Family Engagement since 1975, have been operating Head Start Programs since 1991, and have experience managing programs in challenging, isolated, and underserved areas. Our curricula and programs are rooted in science, and we are committed to the professional growth of minority communities.

Plus, our team includes bilingual and bicultural staff to ensure inclusive and culturally sensitive care.

If you are passionate about making a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families, we want to hear from you.