Early Childhood Programs Education Services Specialist

Summary/Objective

The Education Services Specialist works as a part of the Early Childhood Programs Leadership Team and is responsible for ensuring high quality instruction for all Early Childhood General Education Programs. This includes implementation, on-going monitoring and evaluation of an early childhood education curriculum and providing educational resources for staff and families, ensuring compliance with all state and federal standards, and disseminating best practices in the field of early childhood education to staff.

Essential Functions: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Supports Early Childhood Programs instructional staff in developmentally appropriate practice, instruction and curriculum implementation.
• Reviews and revises the School Readiness Plan annually as needed. Develops a system for monitoring the plan, which, includes, but is not limited to, the Alignment Document, Data Analysis Report, and program goals for improving children’s school readiness.
• Is CLASS observer certified or agrees to become certified at the earliest possible opportunity. Must maintain certification.
• Works with other Educational Specialist and EHS Coordinator to ensure a smooth transition for all children into and out of Head Start/Early Head Start. Assists with developing a program transition procedure for children moving from Early Head Start into the Head Start program or to other preschool placements in the community. Develops, updates as needed, and implements a program transition procedure for children moving from year one to year two in the program to other preschool placements in the community and/or to kindergarten.
• Serves as the co-chair of the Education Committee, coordinating meeting schedules, minutes, etc.
• Ensures adequate classroom supplies and equipment are available to staff and schedules are appropriate for young children.
• Ensures that teachers have a professional development plan and collaborates with the ECP Leadership Team for the development of an agency-wide T/TA Plan to plan for staff training needs using data including but not limited to child outcomes and CLASS.
• Arranges CDA training and tracks progress towards CDA or higher degree of paraeducators.
• Develops and implements a plan and system of continuous monitoring and evaluation of activities within the program.
• Provides guidance and oversight to classroom staff through monitoring and in designing developmentally appropriate classroom.
• Works with and supports the ECP Education Team to ensure Coaches are implementing Practice Based Coaching with fidelity.
• Provides classroom coverage as necessary.
• Assists with the program’s involvement in the state’s Quality Improvement Rating System (i.e. Keystone Stars).

Supervisory Responsibility: This position requires management and oversight of instructional staff including Instructional Support Providers and Instructional Coaches.

Work Environment: This job operates in a professional office environment and/or early childhood classrooms with related exposure to communicable diseases. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to lift and carry a child weighing 45 pounds in an emergency. The employee must be physically capable of performing CPR (with appropriate training). The employee must also be able to bend, sit on the floor or in a child’s chair and/or squat when working with children.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work: This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.

Travel: This position will require travel across Bucks County.

Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree required. Must have reliable transportation, valid driver’s license, and provide proof of insurance.

• Level of Degree: Bachelor’s degree required
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
  • Excellent computer skills (Word, Excel, Outlook, Internet)
  • Experience working with data from disparate sources
  • Ability to manage and prioritize multiple assignments, work independently, think critically, show good judgment, and seek out support or guidance where appropriate.
  • Demonstrates initiative and curiosity
  • An understanding of Head Start Program Performance Standards and PA Pre-K Counts Statutes, Regulations and Guidelines preferred
  • Excellent collaboration skills
  
  

Work Authorization/Security Clearance (if applicable): Citizenship or work authorization to work in the United States required.

EEO/AA/VEVRAA Employer: The Bucks IU is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. Bucks IU does not discriminate on the basis of disability, veteran status or any other basis protected under federal, state or local laws.