Child Development Specialist

Overview

The Childhood Development Specialist assists in the planning and supervision of the delivery of the Child Development Component to families of the Child Care, Head Start, Early Head Start, and Foundation Classrooms; utilizes community resources and promotes early childhood development in the Early Care & Education Program; helps design and implement classroom activities and promote parent and child education; helps design and implement safety policies and procedures for ACAP Early Care & Education Centers;

ensures program compliance with Head Start Performance Standards and Child Care Licensing Regulations related to classroom environments, supplies, materials, and equipment.

• Monitors center and staff activities to ensure ongoing positive early childhood practices through trainings and activities.
• Assists with orientation and training of all newly hired Teachers, Teacher Aides, and Ed Techs.
• Monitors required education records to ensure accountability; ensures all records are completed throughout the program year to meet federal, state, and program requirements.
• Monitors child development education; assists in monthly program monitoring related to center environments and child development; advises and supports Teachers in organizing child development activities in classroom and for home visits.
• Supports Service Coordinators by providing follow through on staff work plans and training recommendations.
• Monitors classrooms to ensure all child work areas contain supplies, materials and equipment to meet program standards.
• Facilitates and conducts staff trainings to meet program standards.
• Interviews, hires, trains, supervises, schedules, and evaluates staff. Maintains and complies with performance review system for direct reports; mediates staff conflicts; counsels employees with performance issues; recommends disciplinary action as necessary; assesses program equipment and supplies and may order and distribute to staff and sites as needed.

• Monitors center and staff activities to ensure ongoing positive early childhood practices through trainings and activities.
• Assists with orientation and training of all newly hired Teachers, Teacher Aides, and Ed Techs.
• Monitors required education records to ensure accountability; ensures all records are completed throughout the program year to meet federal, state, and program requirements.
• Monitors child development education; assists in monthly program monitoring related to center environments and child development; advises and supports Teachers in organizing child development activities in classroom and for home visits.
• Supports Service Coordinators by providing follow through on staff work plans and training recommendations.
• Monitors classrooms to ensure all child work areas contain supplies, materials and equipment to meet program standards.
• Facilitates and conducts staff trainings to meet program standards.
• Interviews, hires, trains, supervises, schedules, and evaluates staff. Maintains and complies with performance review system for direct reports; mediates staff conflicts; counsels employees with performance issues; recommends disciplinary action as necessary; assesses program equipment and supplies and may order and distribute to staff and sites as needed.

• Performs additional duties as assigned.

Experience and Skill Requirements:
The following requirements and skills are considered essential:

• 4-5 years of prior related experience
• Supervisory experience
• Classroom in Early Childhood Education
• Utilizing group process with customers
• Crisis intervention and management
• Coaching and mentoring, preferred
• Facilitating workshops

• Excellent verbal communication skills
• Excellent written communication skills
• Excellent listening skills
• Excellent organizational skills
• Excellent public speaking skills
• Excellent recordkeeping skills
• Proficient in use of Microsoft Office applications and other computer software as applicable to the position
• Communicate and present information
• Detail-oriented
• Research and disseminate information
• Work with a diverse population
• Handle frequent disruptions