Child Care Resource Specialist, Shelby County

Job Description

Job Description

Job Summary

The child care resource specialist serves as a trusted connector and advocate for child care professionals, families, employers, and community partners across Shelby County. This role supports family-facing organizations as they help families navigate child care options and access community resources to meet their needs. The specialist provides guidance and support to child care professionals by coordinating networking opportunities, sharing best practices, and assisting with efforts to open new programs, expand capacity, and enhance overall program quality. The specialist also plays a key role in building and sustaining collaborative relationships across the business community, social service agencies, and the local early care and education ecosystem. Through outreach, education, and partnership development, the specialist facilitates collaboration, promotes access to information and resources, and elevates the importance of quality child care to families, employers, and community leaders. This position plays a key role in promoting equitable access to quality early learning opportunities and strengthening the child care system to benefit children, families, and the broader community.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, the individual must be able to perform and execute the following responsibilities with all audiences in a culturally-responsive manner, considering individuals' needs and goals. Child Care Answers (CCA) will make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

Early Care and Education Ecosystem Development and Community Engagement

• Strengthen the local early care and education ecosystem by building relationships with family-facing and social service organizations, coalitions, child care professionals, employers, chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, local policy leaders, and community stakeholders
• Serve as a connector across sectors, fostering collaboration among child care programs, schools, social service agencies, coalitions, and community partners
• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships that expand access to child care resources and support system coordination
• Serve as subject matter expert for and deliver resources on early care and education and the impact of child care in Shelby County
• Represent CCA at community meetings, events, and presentations to promote services and elevate the role of child care in community and economic well-being

Family and Community Support

• Provide support to families in Shelby County through resources, education, and connection to family-facing organizations that provide child care referrals and other two-generation supports for health, economic mobility, careers, and their own education
• Deliver clear, accessible education to families and family-serving organizations on:
  • Choosing quality child care
  • Paths to QUALITY (Indiana's quality rating and improvement system) and licensing standards
  • Child care financial assistance programs, including CCDF and On My Way Pre-K
• Participate in outreach events and advisory opportunities that elevate family voice and engagement

Child Care Program Engagement and Capacity Building

• Serve as a primary point of contact for child care professionals, supporting program quality, sustainability, and growth
• Guide prospective child care professionals through the process of opening and licensing a program, including navigating and connecting them to appropriate resources.
• Participate, facilitate, and/or coordinate child care professional networks and learning communities aligned with identified needs
• Build and maintain an up-to-date library of available resources for the child care industry related to training, credentials, business operations, and program support
• Coach and connect child care professionals to appropriate resources
• Build and maintain ongoing communication with child care professionals to monitor needs, capacity, and respond appropriately

Organizational Collaboration and Communication

• Collaborate internally across CCA teams to align outreach, services, and system-building efforts
• Partner with communications and data staff to support targeted outreach strategies, including website content, social media, and marketing initiatives
• Participate in community events and engagements to increase awareness of CCA services, strengthen system visibility, and identify opportunities for support

Education, Experience, and Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must have the following:

Education

Bachelor's degree required in early childhood education, child development, consumer and family sciences, marketing, communications, public relations, business administration, social work, counseling, or related field

Experience

• Minimum of three years' experience working in an early childhood setting, a child care support agency, or an agency providing community support services
• Strong knowledge and familiarity with Indiana's child care regulation and licensing rules/requirements and the early care and education ecosystem
• Experience engaging diverse stakeholders, including families, child care professionals, and community partners preferred

Competencies

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office
• Ability to learn and navigate multiple data systems and work-related tools
• Experience with virtual meeting platforms such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams
• Familiarity with visual communication tools (e.g. Canva) and creating presentations or outreach materials
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, demonstrate proactive initiative, and adapt in a dynamic environment

Additional Requirements

• Fluency/proficiency in English required; proficiency in an additional language strongly preferred
• This is a hybrid position, with a combination of remote work and in-office presence
• A minimum of 40% of time will be spent conducting in-person and virtual outreach, networking, and engaging/attending community meetings and events
• Must have a valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and proof of automobile insurance
• Weekends and nights as determined by local meetings/events and other all-staff required events
• Residence in or strong familiarity with Shelby County preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The successful employee will demonstrate the following core competencies:

• Written and Verbal Communication Skills: Because they will spend most of their time communicating, the specialist must possess superior communication skills to clearly articulate needs and opportunities to audiences in-person, virtually, via phone, or via written communication. Speaking in front of an audience and giving presentations should be an area of comfort and confidence.
• Social Perceptiveness and Professionalism: The specialist must be socially aware of socio-economic, geographic, cultural, and intellectual differences as they navigate from one audience to another, both internally and externally. They demonstrate professionalism in appearance and actions; approach difficult or sensitive situations with composure and respect. Contributes to a positive and inclusive work environment through equitable and respectful interactions
• Innovative Thinking: The specialist must be an innovative thinker, pushing the boundaries of creativity, and identify opportunities to strengthen connections and expand impact. These skills are essential for seeking out diverse perspectives, fresh connections, and additional networks.
• Interpersonal Skills and Influencing Skills: Interpersonal skills include compassion, positivity, patience, and active listening, with a demonstrated ability to build trust and maintain authentic relationships.  The specialist will influence and align stakeholders by clearly communicating goals, fostering shared understanding, and building engagement across diverse groups
• Problem Solving / Decision Making: The specialist will use innovative ideas to logically resolve most challenging situations and develop alternative and effective solutions when faced with obstacles, exercising sound decision-making. They must be organized to ensure they stay on track with team goals and objectives, leveraging excellent time management skills to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain accountability for results.

The statements contained herein describe the scope of the responsibilities and essential functions of this position but should not be considered to be an all-inclusive listing of work requirements.