Early Childhood Specialist

South Highlands CDC, Lake Placid, FL, US DEADLINE: September 18, 2026 Certificate: C10HI0045 / Job Order: 2026-364 / (1) Position On-Site

MISSION:

Redlands Christian Migrant Association (RCMA) is a nationally recognized non-profit leader in childcare and early education. RCMA operates more than 53 centers and 3 charter schools, with a staff of 1,400 employees, in 18 Florida counties. We have grown over the years through our policy of hiring from the communities served, forging a strong bond between parents and RCMA caregivers, teachers, and staff.

WHY WORK FOR US?

Would you rather have a fulfilling career than just a “job”? At RCMA, we feel lucky to work in fulfilling roles every day. Like one big family, we work hand in hand with families who need allies on their journey toward big dreams. Through empathy and compassion, we help cultivate a sense of dignity and pride in these valuable members of society and provide them with resources for growth. If this sounds like a family you’d like to become a member of, we’d love to hear from you!

BENEFITS:

$40,000 Basic Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability Insurance, covered 100% by RCMA. Medical Dental Vision Voluntary life insurance Short-term disability insurance Retirement plan Holiday pay Personal time off Tuition assistance

PURPOSE OF POSITION:

The Early Childhood Specialist (ECS) has knowledge and experience in early childhood child development, curriculum, and program assessments. The ECS’s skills and knowledge are an integral part of the leadership team responsible for developing and managing early childhood services for children and their families in support of RCMA's mission. The ECS focuses on staff development and ensures compliance with funding sources related to education and staff qualifications. The ECS also provides support and guidance to teachers in implementing curricula and ensures that developmentally appropriate practices are followed for all children. In VPK classrooms and other programs that require a BS/BA degree for classroom instruction, the ECS may be assigned to a classroom. The duties outlined below will apply to the children assigned to that classroom. An ECS assigned to a classroom may also have additional responsibilities outside of part-time VPK or other program days, including center-wide ECS duties. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following; however, other duties may be assigned: Work as a part of a center team or classroom teaching team to:

1. Supports teachers in implementing high-quality HighScope and Creative Curriculum practices across infant, toddler, and preschool classrooms aligned with the HighScope Wheel of Learning.
2. Guides teachers in creating developmentally appropriate classroom environments, materials, and daily routines aligned with HighScope and Creative Curriculum; ensures routines are documented, reviewed, and visibly posted.
3. Participates in RCMA’s coordinated approach to professional development,t including organizing and facilitating the annual professional planning day.
4. In collaboration with the Early Childhood Education Coach (ECE), uses data to determine which teachers need intensive coaching. ECS will provide coaching to the remaining teachers who have been identified for professional development coaching.
5. Reviews and evaluates goals set 2-3 times a year. If goals have been met, new goals should be established.
6. Monitors early education services and professional development as part of an ongoing monitoring system. Analyzes monitoring results, collaborates with the ECE Coach, Center Coordinator (CC), and Area Coordinator (AC), and determines actions for continuous improvements. Maintains records and reports.
7. In collaboration with the teaching staff, monitors, aggregates, and analyzes child outcomes to determine trends, strengths, and areas of opportunity.

Data to be analyzed: PQA, CLASS, CO2, VPK assessments, ASQ3, ASQ-SE, GoEngage. 8. Conducts, documents, and communicates the results of monthly formal, informal, and focused observations through reflective feedback to educators. 9. Utilizes curriculum fidelity, instructional quality, and program assessment tools, as appropriate, to document implementation, monitor progress, identify strengths and areas for growth, and guide coaching and professional development efforts. Document these observations using CLASS, PQA, and HR10. 10. Provides leadership and support for the professional development of staff. Works directly with all teaching staff to develop their annual professional development plans (PDPs) and supports them in meeting their professional goals. 11. Plans, implements, tracks, and monitors professional development goals to ensure staff meet minimum required qualifications using Go Engage, DCF, and the Professional Development Tracking Report for all education staff. Ensures that volunteers meet the minimum requirements to work in a classroom. 12. Provides professional development activities for teachers to conduct developmental screenings for children. Ensures that children with disabilities are receiving services stated in the IFSP/IEP/ILP. 13. Ensures that staff have obtained TSG Reliability and provides professional development training for teachers to ensure ongoing child assessments, using the Teaching Strategies GOLD (TSG), are accurate and complete within timelines. 14. Plans and coordinates professional development activities using curriculum resources, curriculum fidelity trainings, and program assessment trainings to support the implementation and delivery of high-quality educational services and programs. 15. Provides professional development opportunities for teachers to provide an environment that protects children’s health, mental health, and safety at all times, following the guidelines of Active Supervision. 16. Assesses in-service training needs with the CC, AC, and ECE Coach. Collaborates to develop an annual area training plan to meet the needs of staff in the area, including Building Great Teachers for new staff. Finalizes the annual area’s training plan. Assures that centers and programs implement their annual training plan. 17. Reviews and verifies college transcripts to confirm Early Childhood Education credits, ensuring all transcripts are reviewed by the Area Recruiting Team prior to scheduling interviews. For degrees earned outside of the U.S.: A course-by-course evaluation must be completed. The evaluation must confirm equivalence to a U.S. degree. Evaluations must be conducted by an approved credential evaluation agency recognized by the Bureau of Educator Certification (e.g., Josef Silney & Associates, World Education Services, or an accredited college/university). 18. Completes the disability report in our RCMA’s data system accurately and in a timely manner. 19. Commits to professionalism and upholds RCMA’s mission and values. 20. Adheres to all RCMA funding requirements and DCF regulations. ** Regular work attendance (minimum of 5 days a week, 40 hours per week) is necessary to perform the essential duties.

MANDATORY QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty element satisfactorily while exercising independent judgment and discretion under the general supervision of the Center Coordinator. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. The individual must meet age, medical, moral character, and any other requirements as defined by Florida Statutes. After initial hire: The employee must complete mandatory child care training (DCF 45 hours) as specified in the DCF Training Addendum and in accordance with Florida Statutes and funding source requirements to remain eligible for employment in this position. The employee must follow the Professional Development Plan to obtain and maintain current CLASS Observer Certification, PQA Reliability Certification, TSG Reliability Certification, and complete training in the curriculum currently being implemented within the child development center to which the employee is assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor’s of Arts or Bachelor’s of Science degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development, with 3 months experience (480 hours) in teaching children birth through 5. OR Bachelor’s of Arts, Bachelor’s of Science, or an advanced degree and coursework equivalent to early childhood education, with 2 years of experience in child care or early education of children from birth through 5. Coursework equivalent to a major relating to early childhood education is a degree in elementary education or exceptional student education. *Coursework equivalent to a major relating to early childhood education includes but is not limited to courses that focus on child development, early childhood education and curriculum, early childhood teaching and assessment, psychology, family development, health and physical development, mathematics, science, and children’s literature. Such courses may be offered in various departments, such as education, home economics, music, art, library sciences, physical education and recreation, psychology, family studies, and others. It is expected that eachemployee will provide RCMA with information on the college credit courses taken and to demonstrate that the courses address early childhood education or child development with a focus on children ages 0 to 5. RCMA will examine the college transcripts and review course descriptions or syllabi to determine the relevance of the courses to the early childhood program. The following is only applicable for centers with SUMMER VPK programs The ECS may be required to be staffed as a VPK instructor. This requires that the VPK Instructor qualification is listed on the ECS’s DCF transcript.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Experience working in an educational environment. Experience working in nonprofit organizations. Familiarity with the community being served, including relevant occupational or cultural experience, such as a farmworker, when applicable. Possess a current certification in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Pediatric First-Aid. Experience with training and or supervising non-degreed professionals RCMA is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and a drug-free workplace. All candidates selected for employment are required to successfully complete a Level 2 fingerprint-based background screening. Additional information is available on the Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse Education and Awareness website at the link provided. #J-18808-Ljbffr ADP, Inc.