Child Development Specialist

Early Childhood Education Specialist (EHS-Child Care Partnership)

Under the supervision of the Education/Disabilities Coordinator, provide ongoing support to center-based & family child care partners, including family child care partners in the Early Head Start/Head Start Expansion to deliver comprehensive services, in collaboration with EHS management/leadership team. (50% field work – 50% planning/record keeping/training). The ECE Specialist will support the Education/Disabilities Coordinator on special initiatives designed to align education and child development services across Early Childhood Programs.

Education, Experience, and Skill Requirements:

• Required: Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood or equivalent coursework with a focus on infant/toddler development and experience working with infants/toddlers.
• Preferred Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education AND Provisional New York State Birth-Grade 2 Teacher Certification and experience working with infants/toddlers or equivalent coursework with a focus on infant/toddler development
• Excellent communication skills & follow-through
• Ability to work independently in the field & as part of a team
• Computer literate; ability to accurately enter and analyze child assessment data to ensure positive child outcomes
• Knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards/Head Start Act 2007, New York State Family Child Care regulations, & New York City DOHMH regulations
• Meet all employee health requirements in Head Start Performance Standards/Head Start Act 2024
• Bilingual English/Spanish

Pre-Employment Requirements:

• Successfully clear NYS DOI Fingerprint Screening, NYS Central Registry Clearance, Sex Offender Registry Clearance, 3 reference checks, physical examination with updated TB test, Tdap, MMR, varicella (fees may apply)
• Meet all employee health requirements in Article 47 (DOHMH) and Head Start performance standards
• Mandated Reporter training certificate (every 2 years) and comply with agency's policy and procedure regarding identification and reporting of child abuse and neglect
• Obtain First Aid/CPR and Preventive infectious diseases certificate within the first year of employment.
• Meet all health requirements in Article 47 (DOHMH) and Head Start Performance standards.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide individualized, reflective coaching to Partnership Teaching staff and FCC Teaching Staff as part of the Early Head Start/Head Start Expansion to meet their self-identified, competency-based professional development goals using the Practice-Based Coaching model.
• Collaborate with Family Services staff, Health/Nutrition Specialist, Disabilities Coordinator, & partner programs to determine child & family needs related to education & child development
• Collaborate with partner programs, staff, and families across CCP and FCC Expansion to develop age-appropriate learning experiences that support School Readiness Goals (SRGs). Ensure alignment with child assessment tools to monitor, document, and measure children's growth and development over time for all children served across both programs.
• Coordinate with Family Services staff, Health/Nutrition Specialist, & Disabilities Coordinator to schedule both regular announced & unannounced visits to family child care partners once every two weeks to monitor compliance with contract requirements as related to Head Start Performance Standards/Head Start Act 2007; document & follow up with all non-compliance findings
• Coordinate with Community Partners to complete Infant, Toddler Environmental Rating Scale/Family Child Care Environmental Rating Scale (ITERS/FCCERS) for all partner program classrooms to identify professional development/training needs, play material ordering needs, & changes to classroom environment arrangement; collaborate with partner staff
• Recommend training & technical assistant needs of partner programs in collaboration with Education/Disabilities Coordinator & Infant/Toddler Education Consultants
• Monitor child education files to ensure timely completion of observations, planning, & assessments; maintain confidentiality
• Monitor implementation of developmentally appropriate research-based curricula, reliable assessment tools, & screening tools, in collaboration with Education/Disabilities Coordinator
• Monitor web-based data entry (COPA or Teaching Strategies GOLD reports) to ensure accurate child assessment data; collaborate with partner staff regarding child outcomes, SRG, individual child planning, group planning, & data analysis
• Assist Education and Disabilities Manager with monitoring staff qualifications for all partner teaching staff & completion of individual professional development plans
• Participate in professional development opportunities, including meetings, in-service trainings, mandated trainings, & conferences; facilitate trainings for partners, EHS staff, & families as needed
• Participate in annual self-assessment, community assessment, & ongoing monitoring
• Other duties as assigned

How To Apply: Please submit a resume and thoughtful cover letter, outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position you are applying for. If selected, we ask that you also provide us with three (3) professional references that we can contact (at least one (1) professional reference should be from a former supervisor).