Professional Development Specialist

Professional Development Specialist

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.

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!

RCMA offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees. This includes a $40,000 Basic Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability Insurance, covered 100% by RCMA. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, voluntary life insurance, short-term disability insurance, and a retirement plan. Eligible employees receive holiday pay, personal time off, and tuition assistance.

Purpose Of Position

The Professional Development Specialist oversees the structure, coordination, tracking, and continuous improvement of an organization's professional development system. This position combines workforce development, compliance monitoring, data management, and strategic planning to ensure the organization has an effective and sustainable professional development system.

The position provides training resources, monitors professional development budgets, and supports Human Resources by aligning educational requirements with job descriptions and performance standards. This role ensures compliance with the Department of Children and Families (DCF), Division of Early Learning (DEL), Office of Head Start (OHS), and the Department of Education, while advancing organizational goals and improving child and program outcomes. The position also supports employee development initiatives such as tuition reimbursement, referral bonus processes, and Teach Early Childhood participation.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities Include The Following; However, Other Duties May Be Assigned.

Professional Development Planning And Delivery:

1. Designs, conducts, and analyzes professional development needs assessment training using surveys, focus groups, interviews, and leadership consultations to meet federal, state, and local requirements.
2. Identifies knowledge, skills, and competencies gaps and aligns training priorities with organizational goals and regulatory standards.
3. Provides professional development resources in alignment with RCMA early childhood programs and applicable DCF, DEL, and OHS regulations.
4. Assists as needed, with collaborative efforts, to support professional development for charter academies, ensuring alignment with authorizer requirements and organizational standards.
5. Supports staff participation in Teach Early Childhood and other scholarship or workforce advancement programs by providing guidance, documentation, and follow-up.
6. Reviews employee transcripts to verify credential and qualification requirements in compliance with applicable regulations.

Administrative And Operational Support:

1. Performs administrative functions such as monitoring professional development budget, compiling data, maintaining records, and preparing reports.
2. Maintains training records, attendance logs, certificates, and documentation required for audits, monitoring, and licensing reviews.
3. Provides support for the administration of tuition reimbursement programs in collaboration with payroll, including verifying eligibility, processing documentation, tracking reimbursements, and communicating program requirements to employees.
4. Assists with referral bonus program processes by verifying training and credential requirements for referred candidates and ensuring documentation aligns with HR guidelines.
5. Supports the HR Generalist in implementing career ladder opportunities that promote employee growth, retention, and professional development.

Credentialing, Compliance, And Continuous Improvement:

1. Oversees teacher waivers, statewide educational staff credentials, and certifications, including Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS), HighScope, and other approved frameworks or assessments, and monitors participation in credential advancement supports such as tuition reimbursement, and manages related documentation and initiatives like Teach Early Childhood.
2. Maintains current knowledge of early childhood education research, trends, and best practices, staying informed of announcements and guidance from the DEL and OHS, and engaging in meetings, trainings, and webinars with local, state, and national partners to stay informed and aligned with evolving requirements to strengthen professional development and improve program and child outcomes.
3. Demonstrates understanding of funders' requirements connected to staff qualifications, credentials, and professional development mandates.
4. Ensures credentialing and training documentation meet monitoring, auditing, and reporting standards.

Human Resources Support Functions:

1. Collaborates with the Human Resources Generalist to support the development, review, and maintenance of job descriptions by evaluating role requirements and competencies, recommending updates based on credentialing and regulatory changes, ensuring alignment with DCF licensing standards, Division of Early Learning requirements, Office of Head Start Performance Standards, and Department of Education guidelines, and consistency across early childhood and charter academy positions.
2. Assists HR with the creation, revision, and implementation of performance evaluation and performance standards tools, ensuring alignment with professional development goals, competency frameworks, and regulatory expectations.
3. Provides guidance and technical assistance to HR and management on credential pathways, required qualifications, and professional development planning.
4. Assists with internal audits, monitoring reviews, and corrective action responses by providing documentation, analysis, and technical support related to training and credentials.
5. Supports the HR Director in coordinating and administering the organization's internship program, including partnering with CareerSource to support recruitment and workforce development efforts.

Process Development And Collaboration:

1. Develops, documents, and implements processes and procedures to support professional development objectives and ensure consistency across early childhood programs and charter academies.
2. Communicates effectively with leadership, program staff, and external partners to support coordinated professional growth and regulatory compliance.
3. Recommends improvement to professional development systems and training practices based on data analysis and stakeholder feedback.
4. Promotes a culture of professional responsibility by modeling and teaching accountability practices related to training participation, credential advancement, and compliance expectations.

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 Director of Human Resources. 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.

Required Education, Experience, Skills And Knowledge

Education And Experience:

• Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education, Organizational Development, Training & Development, Human Resources, Social Services, or related field combined with a minimum of 3 to 5 years of direct experience in professional development, early childhood education, training coordination, or a related function.
• Experience in Head Start, Early Head Start, School Readiness, or other regulated early childhood or educational environments strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of early childhood education standards, adult learning principles, and professional development best practices.
• Working knowledge of DCF, DEL, and Office of Head Start regulations, compliance requirements, and performance standards.
• Knowledge of data collection, tracking, and reporting practices related to training, credentials, and regulatory compliance.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting deadlines in a compliance-driven environment.

Language Skills:

• Ability to comprehend and follow verbal or written instructions, and interpret documents, policies, and procedure manuals.
• Proficiency in writing clear, concise professional correspondence, memos, and reports.
• Ability to interpret regulations and translate them into practical training, HR guidance, and operational procedures.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate with diverse individuals or groups.
• Ability to respond professionally and effectively to sensitive inquiries, concerns, or complaints.

Communication Skills:

• Ability to articulate ideas clearly, professionally, and effectively both verbally and in writing, to diverse audiences, including individuals from varied educational, cultural, racial, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with program staff, finance staff, leadership, and external partners.
• Skilled at communicating information to stakeholders and team members in a manner that promotes understanding and collaboration.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with leadership, staff, and external partners.