Early Head Start Education Specialist Bilingual (English/Spanish) - Tampa Ymca

Under the direction of the Early Head Start (EHS) Program Director, the Education Specialist oversees the activities and curriculum of 20 Family Child Care Home Classrooms and 16 Contracted Family Child Care Home providers and ensures that each contracted provider complies with federal performance standards, YMCA Policies, and Procedures.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Directly supervises Contracted Family Child Care Home providers, utilizing the Independent Contractor Agreement as a guide along with the following monitoring tools, which include but are not limited to: Independent Contractor Monitoring and Technical Assistance Report, Early Head Start Contractor's Site Audit, Family Child Care Home Provider Compliance Assessment Tool, Performance Evaluation, Compliance Action Plan, Non-Compliance Form, etc.

• Responsible for recruiting and contracting with Family Child Care Providers.

• Plans, organizes, directs and evaluates activities of the YMCA/Early Head Start program Family Child Care Home Sites, including the operation of each

• Oversees the implementation of the curriculum to include classroom management, routines, child outcomes and record keeping.

• Regularly observe and monitors Family Child Care Home providers and gives verbal and written feedback about providers' performance.

• Trains Family Child Care Home providers and parents in a wide variety of early childhood and child development topics that comply with Head Start Program Performance Standards, Licensing requirements as well as individualized training based on provider needs. Trainings include but are not limited to developmentally appropriate practices, health and safety, lesson planning, potty training, behavior management, etc.

• Responsible for enrolled children's developmental growth by reviewing and monitoring provider's weekly children observations, using the assessment platform provided Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP). Along with the mentor coach, based on observations reviewed, the education team will provide recommendations to improve

• Maintain, monitor and submit required reports by established deadlines.

• Responsible for organizing and conducting ongoing provider meetings and pre/in-service training events.

• Participate in staff, parent, and committee meetings. Attend other meetings and workshops as assigned.

• Provide input and solutions to develop and or revise the agency's Education and Program systems, policy and procedures.

• Supports team member in suspected child abuse or other mandated reporting situations as needed.

• Routinely inspections contracted Family Child Care Homes for compliance with health and safety, curriculum adherence, appropriate teaching practices, etc. for quality improvement. These inspections include conducting at minimum twice a year the Head Start Contractor's Site Audits.

• Monitor and update Education, Disability, Health Plans, and Medication requirements in our Head Start Management System (ChildPlus) on a weekly and monthly basis or as needed.

• Work hand in hand with Family Engagement Specialist, Family Child Care contracted providers and parents to identify and refer children with disabilities for further evaluation. Manage and monitor children with IFSP and IEP's.

• Being the liaison with our Early Head Start Contracted nurse.

• Maintain fiscal management of Client Assistance, Classroom Health and Safety Budget areas by end of fiscal year with approval from Early Head Start Director.

• Ensure providers conduct two (2) Parent conferences and home visits a year, and documentation is inputted in the Head Start Management System (ChildPlus).

• Ensure all 45-day education requirements are completed and inputted in the Head Start Management System (ChildPlus).

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education/ Experience Required:

• Bachelor or Advanced Degree in Early Childhood Education or Bachelor or Advanced Degree in equivalent coursework in Early Childhood Education with early education teaching experiences.

• Minimum 1-year Early Head Start (EHS)/Head Start (HS) experience preferred.

• Five years of experience in infant/toddlers, preschool or kindergarten age children

• Minimum 1 year in a supervisory or lead teacher capacity

• Ability to establish effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisor and families.

• Possess Strong verbal and written communication effective organizational skills including time management and prioritization skills.

• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office.

• Bilingual English/Spanish required.

Certifications/Trainings Required:

• Must obtain within 30 days of employment and then maintain current certifications in CPR, First Aid, AED and Oxygen Administration.

• Maintain other required certifications as stated in the training matrix.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND 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 includes, but not limited to:

• The employee needs sufficient strength, agility and mobility to perform essential functions and to supervise program activities in a wide variety of indoor and outdoor locations.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use a computer for extended periods of time and be able to communicate using a computer and authorized work phone/smart device.

• Ability to instruct and observe participants during program activities.

• The employee frequently is required to see, observe, hear all participants, and make sound judgments and decisions.

• Ability to perform all physical aspects of the position, including, but not limited to, leading class, walking, standing, bending, reaching, and lifting.

• Ability to sit and reach, and must be able to move around the work environment.

• Hear noises and distress signals in the program environment, including in the classroom and anywhere around the zone of responsibility.

• Must have flexibility and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances.

• Ability to lift and move a minimum of 30 pounds.

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

• Ability to work in a variety of environments, specifically those subject to extreme humidity/dampness, heat and cold.

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to high.

• This position requires reliable transportation and willing to travel, if needed.

• This position may require availability to work flexible hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.

ACCOUNTABILITY:

Accountable for completion of assigned goals as measured by the number of people served, cause driven measures, service satisfaction scores, operating results, and supervisor evaluation of assigned duties. Accountable for attaining and exceeding all State licensing standards as well as Association Operating Guidelines.