Early Childhood Education Specialist

Salary: $66,818.00 - $82,179.00 Annually
Location: Districtwide, CA
Job Type: Permanent
Division: DO Personnel Commission
Job Number: 2025

CONTECES
Closing: Continuous

Under general supervision, maintains responsibility for assigned classroom or group of children ages 19 months to five years in a child development laboratory school; maintains a developmentally appropriate child-centered program in accordance with the lab school's program philosophy, goals and objectives; plans and implements curriculum; assesses progress and development of children assigned to a classroom/group; when appropriate, meets with parents to discuss their child's progress;

models developmentally appropriate educational techniques for Early Childhood Education (ECE) students; and performs related duties as assigned.

• Supervises and interacts directly with children both inside and outside of the classroom; implements a program that is consistent with the theory and practices taught in child development classes and meets the needs of children, families and staff; provides oral and written language experiences appropriate to each child's level of readiness, interest and developmental capability.
• Plans, designs, supervises and implements a developmentally appropriate program for children ages 24 months to five years in most centers and for infants/toddlers less than 24 months of age in centers with infant rooms; develops and implements curriculum and lesson plans; incorporates developmentally and culturally appropriate activities and language experiences; acknowledges the cultural diversities among families and recommends the purchase of supplies and equipment that reflect the diversity within the community;
  
  provides models for children to maintain primary language and culture while acquiring a second language and developing an understanding of new cultures.
• Observes and mentors ECE practicum students during their time in the lab, based on the Child Development course outline of record; demonstrates and provides mentoring on developmentally appropriate methods and practices; monitors and provides feedback on the quality of interactions between students and preschoolers; evaluates student performance and provides observations and feedback to instructors.
• Conducts DRDP assessments of children; writes objective developmental descriptions for children based on observation and recording, holds bi-annual conferences with parents to review and revise expectations and special requests and to discuss their child's progress.
• Develops and implements conflict management and problem-solving strategies with children; assists children in identifying and verbalizing concerns and issues and helps them identify compromises and solutions to those issues.
• Assists with nutritional and food handling guidelines; utilizes appropriate food handling procedures; follows all safety precautions to avoid contamination or food spoilage and choking hazards.
• Provides instruction to children on hygiene procedures as necessary; follows universal health precautions; follows a written plan for dealing with blood or bodily fluid spills; ensures that other staff understands and follows plan procedures.
• Follows emergency procedures as required including provision of first aid and CPR; provides information about emergency procedures and health, safety and transportation policies to other staff and parents; assists in all fire and other emergency drills.
• Maintains all adult and child working areas in a clean, safe, sanitary and orderly condition; conducts inspections and reports replacement/repair needs; monitors outdoor play areas to ensure children cannot gain access to unsafe or unsupervised areas.
• Invites and encourages family participation in children's activities after providing any necessary guidance; provides information about community resources to parents and staff regarding health, social services, mental health, developmental and family support services.
• Follows procedures for child abuse reporting as mandated by law.
• Demonstrates sensitivity to and understanding of historically minoritized groups and participates in professional development activities to increase cultural competency to enhance equity-minded practices within the District.

• Notifies the Lab School Manager/Coordinators regarding needs for inventory replenishment of Lab School inventory of materials and supplies.
• Maintains up-to-date records on children and/or families.
• Participates in staff meetings, conferences, workshops and training.
• Substitutes for absent staff members.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

• Principles and practices of child growth and development including ages and stages of child development, developmental assessment processes and methods for implementing developmentally appropriate practice in a laboratory classroom.
• Current Desired Results (DRDP), Infant/Toddler Environmental Rating…