Early Childhood Coordinator - Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest
Surprise, AZ
About the Job
General Description:
The Early Childhood Coordinator is an integral part of the team working to increase the quality of Early Childhood Experience for children birth to Kindergarten entry, assistance in day-to-day operations of the Family, Friend and Neighbor Training, and ensuring the implementation of quality Early Childhood Experiences. Under the direct supervision of the FFN Program Supervisor, the Early Childhood Coordinator plan and coordinate the supervision of children while caregivers attend FFN Caregiver training sessions and assist the FFN Coaches with Family Fun Days and Play Dates.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
WEIGHT | DESCRIPTION |
40 | Preschool Educator: Co-facilitate Early Childhood Experiences for multiage groups. Plan and implement developmentally appropriate activities for children. Presenting and role modeling a professional attitude, greeting children and adults upon arrival at the session, respecting cultural and ethnic differences and always wearing professional attire. |
20 | Team Leadership: Lead, manage and direct multiple Early Childhood Educators within the standards and requirements set forth by funding sources including program budgets and documentation of standards and requirements. Coordinate interviewing, hiring, evaluating, and training of personnel and volunteers according to policy and procedure. 1. Create and implement Early Childhood Educator staff monthly schedule in collaboration with FFN Program Supervisor and FFN coaches. 2. Monitor and approve Early Childhood Educator's timesheets. Prioritize the well-being and development of team members, encourages collaboration, builds trust, and fosters a sense of community within the center. |
15 | Program Coordination and Community Engagement: Support the development of the FFN Community Engagement/ Outreach Plan to recruit and enroll Caregivers and site locations Participate in Community Networking Meetings to raise community awareness of FFN Caregiver Training Programs. Purchase and maintain materials used during Preschool Play Sessions, Family Fun Days or Play Dates. Manage the budget set by Division Director for Preschool Play Sessions, Family Fun Days or Play Dates and make quarterly recommendations to Program Supervisor |
15 | Preschool Activity Coordination: Support Early Childhood Educators and FFN Coaches with implementation of Family Fun Days and Play Dates. Develop and support implementation of quality age-appropriate Preschool Play Sessions for children while caregivers are attending FFN Caregiver learning sessions. Create and implement Monthly Snack calendars for children to consume during Early Childhood Experiences. Support Early Childhood Educator with the preparation and storage of materials for Preschool Play Sessions. |
5 | Data Management/Entry: Support Early Childhood Educators with entering child attendance information. Support FFN Staff with Data and Technology training and needs. |
2.5 | Follow internal protocol immediately with regard to safety, health, and environment of the client and employee workspace and workplace equipment |
2.5 | Perform other related duties as assigned. |
Example of a Daily Schedule: Early Childhood Coordinators will work eight hours per day Tuesday - Saturday until 8:00 pm one - two nights per week. Daily activities may include meeting FFN staff at storage before or after Preschool Play Sessions, Family Fun Days or Play Dates to gather or store materials. Setting up, facilitate or co-facilitation, and cleaning up for daily Preschool Play Sessions, entering attendance data, and/or preparing materials for future Preschool Play Sessions, Family Fun Days or Play Dates. Conduct Outreach Activities to recruit FFN Caregivers, host locations for training. Driving to locations throughout the First Things First Northwest Maricopa Region including rural areas.
Team Leadership Responsibilities: Manages and supervises volunteers, interns and staff as may be necessary to accomplish program objectives. Responsible for the overall supervision and management, coordination, and evaluation of Early Childhood Educators. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with organization's policies and procedures and under the direction of the Program Supervisor. Responsibilities include advertising for, interviewing, hiring and training staff, planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance, addressing complaints, and resolving problems to the best of their ability.
Qualifications Requirements
To perform this job successfully, the individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education and/or Experience, Ability
- Bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent experience with at least 5 years of early childhood education experience and college level Early Childhood Education Courses
- Previous Supervision experience
- Minimum: High School Diploma with 12 hours of college level Early Childhood Education or 2 years of early childhood classroom experience.
- Ability to participate as a member of a team, including collaboration, cross-training, and mutual assistance.
- Experience and comfort working with young children birth to 5 and their parents/ caregivers
- Experience and ability to use computer hardware and Microsoft Office software
- Current CPR, First Aid certification, Current Level 1Fingerprint Card.
- Clear a criminal background and motor vehicle screening; must have a clear driving record for at least 39 months.
- Reliable transportation
- Clear the Department of Economic Security, Central Registry Background Check.
- Good time management ability and ability to work independently.
- Obtain training as required by funder within 180 days of hire.
Ongoing Professional Development
- Create and implement an annual Professional Development Plan related to professional growth in this position.
- Complete and Maintain Certification in Standards of Quality for Family Support and Strengthening
- Participate in ongoing Professional Development Training per fiscal year related to this position.
Obtain and maintain Service Coordination Curriculum Certification/ Accreditation relevant to position.
Language Skills
Bilingual English/Spanish is strongly preferred. Ability to communicate clearly. Ability to listen and perceive need, working with people from diverse backgrounds non-judgmentally. Ability to effectively present and represent LSS-SW and the program's needs to religious and community groups as well as others in the social services community.
Mathematical Skills
Good ability to calculate figures.
Reasoning Ability
Ability to define problems, collect data, evaluate information, draw conclusions, and take appropriate action based on this information. Ability and confidence to make decisions when appropriate and when to solicit guidance from Regional Director.
Physical Demands/Work Environment
The physical demands and work environment characteristics here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Ability to work within mission of LSS-SW.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to sit on the floor or stand for long periods of time.
- The employee frequently is required to use hands to hold objects and operate office equipment.
- The employee is required to be able to listen and communicate effectively.
- The employee may be required to occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
- The noise level in the work environment varies with the activity level of the facility.
- The employee must be willing to drive to community locations and client's home and able to orientate and navigate well within Program's boundary.
- Maintain valid AZ Driver License, vehicle insurance and reliable transportation.
All positions at Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest require a background check.