Early Childhood Program Specialist (Maui)

PATCH is seeking an individual to monitor participants on the Child Care Food Program for compliance with USDA regulations. To be responsible for recruiting and providing technical assistance to individuals interested in becoming licensed family childcare providers and to USDA Food Program participants. Responsible for assisting practitioners with the Childcare Registry and identifying and supporting both practitioners’ professional development goals as well as Health and Safety annual training requirements.

Food Program:

• Performs support visits to participants on the Child Care Food Program. Includes documentation of reviews and recordkeeping.
• Reads and evaluates participants’ menus, including making adjustments and documenting changes. 
• Accurately fills out support visit forms.
• Conducts home visits to ensure program compliance.
• Conducts recruitment visits to interested providers and educates them on the benefits of the program.
• Performs technical assistance to providers regarding the program.

Recruitment:

• Maintains a tracking system that follows a potential family childcare provider from the initial phone call to becoming a childcare provider.
• Conducts home visits to provide technical assistance to potential family childcare providers to assist them in offering quality childcare in their homes and towards their goal of becoming licensed by DHS.
• Conducts outreach activities to identify potential family childcare providers and promote the business of family childcare.

Career Counselor:

• Fields calls from practitioners in their respective island district regarding the Childcare Registry program.
• Reviews Registry applications and necessary supporting documentation. Under the direction of the Registry Specialists, assesses applications for completeness and functions as a liaison between Registry Specialists and practitioners to assist and counsel practitioners in obtaining or updating their Childcare Registry.
• Provides technical assistance to practitioners on how to complete the Registry forms.
• Counsels' practitioners on available training opportunities and professional development programs to enhance work performance and support career development goals.
• Performs outreach duties promoting and informing the public and practitioners of the Childcare Registry
• Provide guidance to all in the field regarding the DHS annual Health & Safety requirements. 
• Complete monthly reports.

• Must be organized and able to pay close attention to detail.
• Must be able to demonstrate ability to work independently or as a team and work under minimal supervision.
• Requires relating to people in a friendly and professional manner with excellent verbal and written communication skills. Requires working to established procedures and the ability to be prompt and on time
• Must possess a valid Hawaii driver’s license and clean driving record with access to an insured vehicle. The employee is required to use their personal vehicle and must be willing to travel to various locations for home visits.
• Must be able to pass a background check.
• The employee must occasionally lift or move more than 50 pounds. 

Minimum Qualification Requirements:

Skills and Knowledge:

• Computer and basic office administration skills. Proficient in Microsoft office applications.
• Basic nutrition knowledge.
• Knowledge of the state’s childcare licensing requirements is highly preferred.

Education/Experience:

• Associate’s degree in early childhood education or related is preferred.
• Experience as a childcare provider preferred.

• Sick and vacation leave
• 14 paid holidays annually
• Medical, dental, vision, prescription
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Voluntary Benefits
• 401 (k)
• Costco Membership
• Working Advantage discounts
• Optima Employee Assistance Program (EAP)