Early Head Start Specialist - Richmond City Public Schools

Job Title: Early Head Start Specialist 
Grade Level/Terms of Employment: Grade 123/ 12 Month (260 days) Contract
FLSA Status: Exempt
Work Location: Head Start
Immediate Supervisor: Manager of Head Start

In collaboration with the childcare directors, the EHS Specialist will provide the appropriate support and guidance to EHS staff whose performances do not meet the job standards. Identifies training needs identified through CLASS observations, Fidelity Checklist, and ongoing observations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Utilize the Creative Curriculum for Infants, Toddlers, and Twos- Fidelity Checklist and the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) for both Infants and Toddlers to observe and strengthen child outcomes
• Must use the Curriculum Fidelity Checklist to provide feedback promptly
• Identifies and arranges training on the curriculum, assessments, developmentally appropriate practices, and the Early Head Start Performance Standards
• Conducts orientation with new staff to familiarize them with the goals of the program
• Review weekly lesson plans to ensure that they reflect the highest quality implementation of the curriculum and provide individualization for all children
• Provide support to staff who are working with children who have a current (Individual Family Service Plan) IFSP
• Plans and assists staff in the implementation of involving parents in the classroom and in the home
• Provide staff with the necessary tools needed to conduct developmental screenings and rescreens (Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ) within the 45 days mandated
• Must be able to use Child Plus to track and ensure that the EHS program follows the Office of Head Start requirements including but not limited to conducting (Home Visits, Parent parent-teacher conferences, screenings, assessments, etc.
• Assist the Early Head/ Head Manager and other staff and stakeholders with the marketing of the EHS program, recruitment of students/families, and parent relations
• Must possess the skills to appropriately address parent and childcare center concerns, resolve conflict, and reach desired outcomes in a consistent and effective manner
• Work in collaboration with the Family Service Worker to ensure children’s files have all the required paperwork for the EHS Program and the Virginia Department of License (VDOE)
• Assist staff with designing classroom environments that are conducive to the ages of the children and their development using the ITERS rating scale as guidance
• Attend in-service training(s), workshops, and conferences, (state, regional, and national).
• Performs all other duties as assigned

General Definition and Physical Conditions of Work:

• Develops, advise staff, and train staff on best practices
• Ability to stand, sit on the floor, lift, bend, stoop, reach, push, and pull
• Purchase and deliver supplies to the classroom
• Able to lift up to 50 pounds

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Special Education, and Child Development. (Master’s preferred)
• A minimum of two (2) years of successfully working in the childcare field with infants, toddlers, and twos
• A minimum of two (2) years working with adults (training, mentoring, coaching)
• Must have strong knowledge of the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) Regulations for Licensed Child Care Centers
• Knowledge of theories of child growth and development, early childhood education, and family support
• Must have excellent organizational, oral, and written communication and supervisory skills
• Must have the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others
• Must have good skills in operating personal computers and related software
• Must be adaptable to changing priorities, have the ability to work independently and/or with minimum supervision, and have the ability to handle multiple assignments simultaneously
• Must have the ability to mentor and coach teaching staff, and the capacity to build collaborative partnerships with child care directors
• Must possess a valid Virginia driver’s license and use of a personal vehicle.

HOW TO APPLY: All applicants (including RCPS employees) must submit an online application. Please access website at: www.rvaschools.net
 
Please upload the following information with your application: a current resume, transcript, and license if applicable. Also, when completing your application, include three email addresses of your professional references and/or upload letters of references. A combination of professional reference email addresses and letters are accepted. Richmond City Public Schools will conduct a background investigation, fingerprinting, tuberculosis screening and drug/alcohol testing as a condition of
employment. EOE.