Early Education Specialist

Job Title: Early Education Specialist

Reports To : Early Education Manager

Status: Full-time; Non-Exempt

Location: Little Tokyo

Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, occasional weekends

Hourly Range: $28.00-$35.00 per hour(based on experience and qualifications)

Are you passionate about giving back to your community and making a lasting difference in the lives of young people?

Who We Are:
In 1922, Woodcraft Rangers opened its doors in Los Angeles and began its mission of guiding young people as they explore pathways to purposeful lives. As a progressive organization, Woodcraft has always been responsive to the evolving needs of the communities served, and is notably inclusive, youth-led, and rooted in the Woodcraft Way, a holistic framework that develops body, mind, spirit, and service. Continuously at the forefront of expanded learning opportunities, Woodcraft Rangers has a rich history of making a significant impact in the greater Los Angeles area, believing that all youth are innately good, deserve the opportunity to realize their full potential, and should be an active participant in defining their own path.

 
What We Do:
Woodcraft Rangers provides TK-12 expanded learning programs, including before and after school, specialty enrichment, and summer learning. In the past few years, Woodcraft has expanded its menu of services beyond traditional afterschool programs and summer camps to include early learning, environmental and social justice, college access, and inclusion services for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Additionally, we offer LifeCraft, a college and career advancement program to support the development of approximately 2,000 staff. Today, Woodcraft Rangers serves more than 30,000 youth ages 4 to 18 each year across 150 plus Title I schools in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties, and continues to expand its reach.

Ideal Candidate:
Ideally, we are looking for someone who is detail oriented, energetic, ambitious, proactive, and positive, with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively. Multi-tasking and attention to detail must be strengths this individual possesses. Individual needs to be comfortable to present and speak in front of staff and peers during in person training.

Why Work for Woodcraft Rangers:

• Competitive salary – $28.00-$35.00
• Paid vacation & sick time – generous time off to recharge
• Lifecraft program – free college & career advancement for all staff
• Upward mobility – promote-from-within culture
• Health, dental & vision – comprehensive benefits coverage
• 403(b) retirement plan – invest in your future
• Pet insurance – because your whole family matters
• Mission-driven work – impact 30,000 + young people annually

Role Overview:
The Early Learning Associate supports the delivery of high-quality early learning programming by providing training, technical assistance, and foundational content development for staff serving Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten participants. Reporting to the Early Education Manager, this role plays a key part in strengthening staff practices and ensuring developmentally appropriate, engaging learning environments.
The Early Learning Associate facilitates trainings, supports site-level implementation, and contributes to the development of foundational training materials and program resources. This role is ideal for individuals passionate about early childhood education, staff development, and supporting high-quality youth experiences.
This is a hybrid position, including in-person work at school sites and remote work.

Responsibilities:
Training & Facilitation

• Facilitate early learning trainings for staff in both in-person and virtual settings.
• Deliver pre-developed training content with clarity, engagement, and strong facilitation practices.
• Support onboarding and ongoing professional development for staff working with early learners.

Technical Assistance & Field Support

• Provide site-level coaching and technical assistance to staff to strengthen early learning practices.
• Support implementation of curriculum and behavior strategies aligned with early childhood best practices.
• Build relationships with site staff to ensure responsive and effective support.

Foundational Content Development

• Support the development and refinement of foundational training materials and resources.
• Research best practices in early childhood education to inform training and program supports.
• Assist in creating tools such as facilitator guides, activity plans, and resource materials.

Program Support & Collaboration

• Collaborate with internal teams to identify program and staff needs.
• Support coordination of training logistics and communication.
• Contribute to cross-functional projects and early learning initiatives.

Quality Assurance & Continuous Improvement

• Support program quality by ensuring alignment with organizational and partner standards.
• Collect feedback and data to inform improvements.
• Participate in CQI efforts and continuous learning.

Professional Development & Growth

• Engage in ongoing learning related to early childhood education and training practices.
• Apply feedback to improve facilitation and support skills.

Culture & Organizational Alignment

• Model organizational values and contribute to a positive team culture.
• Promote a “Kids First” approach and whole-child development.

Qualifications/Skills:

• AA Degree in Child Development or related field preferred (or equivalent experience).
• Experience working with early learners (TK/K) in educational or expanded learning settings.
• Experience facilitating or supporting trainings preferred.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to travel to program sites across regions.
• Basic proficiency in digital tools (PowerPoint, Zoom, Teams).
• Stable internet access and valid LIVE Scan.

Physical Demands:
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the following physical demands may be essential for the effective performance of this position. Reasonable accommodation will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions:

• Frequent standing is required during working hours
• The ability to travel across the Great Los Angeles area, using either a car or public transportation, is necessary several times a month.
• Regular use of hands for various tasks, such as operating a computer and handling objects, is essential.
• Must be able to occasionally lift/move up to 40 pounds.
• Reasonable accommodation is available for individuals with disabilities.

Work Environment:
We are committed to fostering an inclusive work environment and will actively consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals to effectively perform their roles. This position operates in environments typical of the following key aspects:

• We are committed to fostering an inclusive work environment and will actively consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals to effectively perform their roles. This position operates in environments typical of the following key aspects:
• Regular working hours are from Monday to Friday, with occasional weekends and evenings required for events, training, or conferences.
• Optional weekly work-from-home opportunities.
• Travel is necessary to various regions where Woodcraft Rangers programs are implemented, including Moreno Valley, San Fernando Valley, South Los Angeles, West Los Angeles, San Gabriel Valley, Southeast LA, and Downtown areas, to support or deliver in-person training.
• Regular exposure to a computer monitor during work.
• The typical noise level of a standard work environment.
• Stable internet access is required for effective work-from-home performance.

Status: Full-time; Exempt

Woodcraft Rangers provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without discrimination with regard to race, religious belief, color, sex, sex stereotype, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions (including breastfeeding), age, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identification and expression, transgender status, transitioning status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic characteristics, genetic information, family care, marital status, enrollment in any public assistance program, status as military, a veteran or qualified disabled veteran, status as an unpaid intern or volunteer, or any other classification protected by law. We also prohibit discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics.