TITLE: Education & Disabilities SpecialistDEPARTMENT: Early Childhood ServicesLOCATION(S): BrooklynREPORTS TO: Early Childhood Coordinator - BrooklynSALARY RANGE: $65,000-$72,000DATE: November 2024SCHEDULE: Monday-Friday, 8am - 4pm, or 9am - 5pm. Schedule may vary due to program needsJOB SUMMARY: The Education and Disabilities Specialist works closely with the Program Managers to ensure the successful implementation and operation of the Education and Child Development Services as outlined in the Head Start Performance Standards. He/she also collaborates with Partner leaders, teaching staff, GSS staff and Community stakeholders, including FCC Partner Sites and CC Partner sites in the Early Head Start/Head Start Expansion grant in developing and enhancing early childhood education services that promote positive learning and developmental outcomes for all children, support the inclusion and delivery of services for children suspected of or diagnosed with special needs and effective transition practices. The Education and Disabilities Specialist will also collaborate with the Early Head Start Leadership team on special initiatives designed to align education and child development services. For the start-up phase for 2 years this will be an evolving position. Interim roles and responsibilities will be adjusted and this position requires an individual to be flexible. Job responsibilities will be revisited once all center-based sites are up and running.EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILL REQUIREMENTS:
- Required: Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education,
- Preferred: BA or higher in Curriculum Instruction, Dual degrees in both ECE and Disabilities or related fields. Preferred New York State Birth-Grade 2 Teacher Certification or provisional certification from Birth - 2.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to follow through and meet deadlines
- Knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards/Head Start Act 2007, New York State Family Child Care regulations, & New York City DOHMH regulations (Article 47)
- Knowledge of Developmentally appropriate Early Childhood Assessment and Observations tools
- Bilingual English/Spanish or Mandarin strongly preferred
- Experience working with young children and understanding of principles of early childhood development
- Experience working with and knowledge of community resources
- Ability to foster and maintain positive, professional relationships with program staff, partners, families and community stakeholders.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:Under the direct supervision of the Program Manager, the Education and Disabilities Specialist shall be responsible for:
- Monitor implementation of policies and procedures for the education and disabilities portion of the program with parents, staff, and GSS. Support the effective implementation of the education content area along with Education Coordinator. Monitor implementation of policies and procedures aligned with Head Start Performance Standards, Early Learning Outcome Framework, NYC Pre-K standards and Common Core. Ensure high quality comprehensive services are delivered effectively and timely to all enrolled children/families; including transition plans, School readiness, Community engagement.
- Support curriculum implementation ensuring that teachers provide developmentally and linguistically appropriate experiences appropriate to age, language and culture of children served. Support the implementation of EHS SRG including child outcomes.
- Monitor service delivery by engaging staff and partners in continuous improvement plans and by maintaining accurate and efficient record keeping systems (help support with monitoring Teacher HR Staff files and completion of individual professional development plans for teaching staff credentials and professional development plans and activities, reviewing and approving classroom orders)
- Maintain filing, tracking and documentation systems for the early childhood education service area and ensure confidentiality of child and family records. Maintain teacher credentials of all sites. Input Data into COPA system, maintain tracking forms.
- Track child outcomes and program quality assessment results on a center-wide basis, assist to analyze data and make program development recommendations to Site Director. Monitor classroom environments regularly using formal and informal observations, implement researched and reliable tools (ITERS, ECERS, CLASS)
- Support partners and teaching staff in fostering nurturing and safe classroom environments and learning experiences through the provision of training and technical assistance and approving classroom materials to enhance services.
- Assist families, as needed, during the referral and evaluation process of children suspected or diagnosed with special needs.
- Assist with identifying Community Resources and Partnerships to enhance services
- Collaborate with the Early Childhood Integration Manager on analyzing children's growth and development (checkpoint data)
- Collaborate with content managers to ensure high quality comprehensive services are delivered through ongoing monitoring and continuous improvement activities
- Assist Program Manager in developing and executing the T/TA schedule with assistance from the Program Assistant.
- Review developmental and behavioral screenings- Track and monitor to ensure screenings are done within the first 45 days of newly enrolled students.
- Participate in professional development opportunities, including meetings, in-service training, mandated trainings, & conferences
- Participate in Annual Self-Assessment, Program Information Report (PIR), Community Assessment, ongoing monitoring, Federal Reviews, meetings with OHS Education Specialist and Policy Council Meetings
- Collaborate with Consultants to support and meet the needs of child & family
- Other duties as assigned
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.
- Meets all health requirements in Article 47 (DOHMH) and Head Start Performance standards.
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 two (2) professional references should be from a former supervisor. Please click on the link provided below, or use the link in a search bar and apply online through our career center.No phone calls, pleasePlease be advised that job offers can only be made once your clearances come through!EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER (EOE)