Early Education and Program Planning Specialist

Job description

Position: Early Education and Program Planning Specialist
Program: Head Start/Mixed Delivery

Under the direct supervision of the Director of Early Childhood and Family Services, the Early Education and Program Planning Specialist uses knowledge of the principles of child growth and development to inform decision-making on language acquisition, creative expression, and physical, cognitive, and social development. In addition, the Early Education and Program Planning Specialist supports the Director of Early Childhood and Family Services (DECFS) in the structure and design of management systems.


Duties and Responsibilities
1. Oversees the Child Development and Education service areas for Head Start Classrooms in accordance with the Federal Performance Standards, licensing standards, and service area plan.
2. Responsible for the administration and oversight of all child educational outcomes data systems (STREAMin3, Link B5 and VKRP) and assists the DECFS in developing partnerships with local school systems.
3. Monitors the quality and ensures the reliability of program data at the child, center, and non-federal entity level. Analyze data to make program development recommendations.
4. Provides ongoing mentoring and support to teaching staff, to support them in successfully fulfilling all aspects of their role in Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS), learning environments, curriculum, child assessment, and professional growth and collaboration.
5. Responsible for keeping up-to-date on data systems and changes, and implement as necessary.
6. Supports the professional growth and development of all staff, by assisting in the design, development, and delivery of in-service training programs based upon assessed staff training needs, state requirements, and federal requirements.


Supervisory Responsibilities
Directly supervises the Early Education Services Coordinator. Conducts orientation, documents ongoing performance, and completes performance appraisals. Assists in the process of hiring staff as needed.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities:
Must demonstrate good written and verbal communication skills.
Must be friendly, positive, responsible, and capable of exercising good judgment in dealing with peers, children and adults.
Must demonstrate capacity to problem solve, handle crises, and work with families and children of various cultures from low-income backgrounds.
Must work with families in an empathetic, nonjudgmental, respectful, and professional manner.
Must maintain regular attendance and perform job duties and responsibilities in a satisfactory manner.

Driving is an essential function of the job. Must possess valid driver's license and safe driving record. Must be able to drive up to 4 hours per day but may be required to drive more than 4 hours in a given day. Some night/overnight driving may be required for night or out of town trainings or meetings.
If agency vehicle is unavailable, must have vehicle with valid inspection and insurance meeting minimum state requirements available for transporting individuals and families within the New River Valley, and in pre-approved cases outside the New River Valley. Mileage reimbursed by NRCA.
Must pass physical exam in which a physician documents employee's capability of transporting clients. The physical must also include a TB test and document that the employee is capable of performing essential duties specified in his/her job description.
Must be capable of lifting up to 50 pounds, walking, bending, and standing, occasionally lifting 80 pounds.
Must be willing to abide by the following Code of Conduct:
1. Respects and promotes the unique identity of each child and family and refrains from stereotyping on the basis of gender, race, ethnicity, culture, religion, or disability.
2. Follows program confidentiality policies concerning information about children, families, and other staff members.
3. No child will be left alone or unsupervised while under the care of Head Start staff.
4. Uses positive methods of child guidance and will not engage in corporal punishment, sexual abuse, emotional or physical abuse of humiliation. Will not employ methods of discipline that involve isolation, the use of food as punishment or reward, or the denial of basic needs.

Education and Experience Requirements:
Bachelor's Degree in Child Development or Early Childhood Education with at least three (3) years' experience in the field of Early Childhood. Experience in home visiting, planning, and conducting adult training required. Supervisory experience required.


Before employment, the applicant must sign authorizations for NRCA to perform DMV, criminal record, and child abuse and neglect background checks. Pre-employment drug testing, TB screening/test, and an employment physical are also required.


Application deadline: June 19, 2026, or until the position is filled. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. EEO/AA