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Early Education Specialist

Reports to: Regional Administrator
Date: November 2011

Classification: Contracted

Job Summary:

Partners with educators, families and communities to provide effective learning environments for all students. Helps ensure success for all learners. Provides leadership, support and technical assistance in designing, implementing and assessing educational strategies and services for early child learners. Provides services that are customer focused and based on learning needs.

Qualifications:

  1. Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, child development or related educational field.
  2. Three years of professional experience in early childhood education.
  3. Advanced training and knowledge in early childhood educational behavior and instructional strategies.

Essential Functions:

  1. Supports total school/community efforts to create a positive learning environment for students/children.
  2. Serves as liaison among AEA, educators, community partners and families and collaborates with various teams to assure positive outcomes for all learners.
  3. Models, implements and assesses strategies related to learning, social, emotional and behavioral needs to enhance educational programming for all learners.
  4. Provides ongoing support to educational staff related to applicable rules and laws.
  5. Integrates research into the design of best practices
  6. Consults with educators, community partners and families regarding best practices for educational programs.
  7. Follows policies, procedures, standards and rules in accordance with national and state laws, the Iowa Dept of Education and GWAEA, which includes, but is not limited to, developing and maintaining proper and adequate records and documentation.
  8. Provides leadership and support in identifying instructional strategies to meet the needs of diverse early learners./font>
  9. Provides individualized observations and informal assessments in natural environments to determine appropriate educational options and services for early learners.
  10. Confers with parents and appropriate AEA and LEA staff regarding desired outcomes and implementation issues for early learners.
  11. Provides information and support to families regarding young child’s development and appropriate activities and strategies.
  12. Collaborates with various teams to support development and implementation of improvement plans and progress monitoring of early learners through quality assessments.
  13. Uses data to develop, implement, monitor and adapt individual interventions to ensure effective services for early learners.
  14. Provides consultation and coaching for AEA staff, LEA staff, community partners and parents regarding behavior strategies and interventions for early learners.

Additional Responsibilities:

  1. Participates in projects, committees or activities to support the Agency’s mission, goals and priorities.
  2. Demonstrates self-discipline and initiative to produce high-quality, organized and dependable results.
  3. Conveys a positive and professional image to staff and public.
  4. Handles information in a confidential manner in accordance with established policies and legal requirements (FERPA, HIPAA, etc).
  5. Pursues professional growth opportunities and relationships to keep current with and influence educational directions.
  6. Observes and interacts with young children, with modeling for parents.
  7. Performs such other duties as may be assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

  1. Ability to communicate effectively and maintain effective working relationships.
  2. Ability to function effectively as a team member and work collaboratively with others and independently as appropriate.
  3. Ability and willingness to be flexible and respond to the changing needs of clients and the Agency.
  4. Ability to integrate educational theory, research and expertise into appropriate practices for local contexts, in a service style that facilitates positive change and continuous improvement.
  5. Effective presentation and group facilitation skills.
  6. Ability to use data to make educationally sound decisions.
  7. Knowledge of best practices in early childhood development and early education.
  8. Knowledge of applicable rules and laws that govern educational decisions./font>
  9. Ability to read and interpret documents, write reports and correspondence, and apply appropriate mathematical concepts.
  10. Ability to use and integrate technology appropriately in daily work which includes, but is not limited to, efficient operation of telephone and voice mail systems and application of basic computer skills to effectively use e-mail, internet and word processing.
  11. Knowledge and understanding of diverse learner needs and parenting styles.
  12. Effective coaching and consulting skills.
  13. Ability to demonstrate teaching practices, design and conduct on-going professional development activities.

Physical Requirements:

  1. Ability to travel between sites served.
  2. Normal, routine levels of activity related to bending, carrying, climbing, hearing, lifting, reaching, sitting, standing, vision and walking, and may also involve above-average levels of activity at times that can’t always be anticipated.

    3. EOE/M-F-H-V