Govt. Education Specialist

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Education Specialist, under the direction of the Education and Disabilities Supervisor, is responsible for organizing and coordinating the program's education services effort, which includes but is not limited to: on-the-job guidance, coaching, training, and providing technical assistance to the classroom staff and home visitors and all provision for services related to the implementation of developmentally appropriate early childhood education experiences and school readiness outcomes.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: (includes, but is not limited to, the following)

• Provides professional development to teaching staff on child assessments, early childhood development, and school readiness. 
• Aggregates and analyzes child progress data for improving curriculum implementation and continuous program improvement etc.
• Analyzes and develops strategies for improving teacher/child interactions, and depicting teacher progress in all domains of early learning.
• Develops effective strategies for working with culturally, linguistically, developmentally, and age diverse groups of children.
• Implements a system of monitoring and evaluating all education components of the program including but not limited to: lesson plans, teacher observations, etc.
• Assists in the identification, development, and delivery of training needs for staff.
• Completes classroom and home-based observations as scheduled by the program.
• Conducts weekly study team meetings with teaching staff.
• Provides support and guidance to staff in the completion of career development plans.
• Provides training to parents in the area of curriculum, transition, educational milestones, and child development.
• Reviews and evaluates the existing educational plan, program policies, procedures, and protocols to ensure compliance with the Performance Standards and all Federal, State, and Tribal regulations.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES: (includes, but is not limited to, the following)

• Evacuates children during an emergency and monthly drills.
• Reports all findings, strategies, etc. to the Education and Disabilities Supervisor.
• Assists with the completion of the program's annual self-assessment and community assessment.
• Assists staff in interpreting child screening and assessment data.
• Ensures that the Ojibwa culture and cultural diversity of the children are reflected in the educational plan.
• Assists staff in the development of Individual Service plans for children.

CONTACTS:

Immediate peers, peers in other departments, immediate supervisor/manager, managers in other departments, customers, and outside vendors/service providers.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Position heavy with the lifting of 100 pounds maximum and frequent lifting/carrying up to 50 pounds. Physical factors include frequent sitting, reaching, use of hearing, smell, near/mid/far vision, depth perception, color/field of vision, and typing; and occasional standing, walking, carrying/lifting/pushing/ pulling, stooping, kneeling, crawling handling, travel and bending. Working conditions include constant exposure to noise and air quality; occasional exposure to weather, wet/humidity, and vibration. Potential hazards include constant computer use; frequent exposure to moving mechanical parts, electrical shock, chemicals, infectious exposure, client contact and equipment; and occasional exposure to insecticides/pesticides and needles/syringes. Must obtain an annual TB Test. Must be in good physical health as determined by a physician.

REQUIREMENTS:

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Human Services, or Family Services with a minimum of 26 hours of Early Childhood Education or a Child Development Associate Credential.

Experience: Minimum of one-year experience working with children required. Experience working with children who have special needs is preferred.

Certification/License: Must have or obtain CPR/First Aid Certification within one year of hire. Must have education-related and program-specific certifications as required or the ability to obtain within required timelines. Will be required to undergo and successfully pass a background check. Must maintain a good moral character standing. Must comply with the Sault Tribe’s Drug-Free Workplace Policy which may include random drug tests.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge and understanding of sequential development in order to provide instruction that is scaffolded to meet the needs of all children required. Knowledge and awareness of resources available to meet the needs of children and families with special needs are required. Knowledge of the Anishinabe Culture and language is preferred. Knowledge of or the ability to learn the Anishinabe Culture and incorporate the culture into the classroom environment and curriculum required. Must be able to assume responsibility for classroom operations. Must be able to create and maintain a positive and nurturing learning environment. Must be able to maintain a neat and organized classroom. Must be able to work with parents to promote understanding of the growth and development of their child. Must be able to analyze and interpret data collected from assessments and communicate this data to teaching staff in order to develop school readiness goals for each child. Must be able to mentor and manage classroom staff in the performance of their job duties. Must be able to maintain detailed and accurate record keeping such as but not limited to lesson plans, ongoing assessments, observation reports, etc. Must be able to use computer databases and software, including navigating the internet. Must be able to be flexible and adaptable in order to meet the children's needs on a daily basis. Must be flexible with work schedule. Must be able to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with supervisory personnel, co-workers, and the general public. Native American preferred.

This job description outlines the general scope and level of responsibilities associated with the position. It is not intended to be an employment contract, nor does it represent a comprehensive list of all duties, responsibilities, or requirements. The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians reserves the right to modify, add, reassign, or combine job duties or positions, in whole or in part, at any time.