Child Development and Education Specialist (9715)

Lutheran Services Florida • Tampa, FL

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) is seeking a talented Child Development and Education Specialist to join their mission-driven team. This role involves directing and evaluating the activities of assigned Early Head Start Family Child Care Providers to ensure programs comply with Statutory and Regulatory requirements, including the Head Start Performance Standards. The specialist will play a key role in ensuring high-quality services are provided in Family Child Care Homes.

Requirements

• High School diploma or GED required.
• Two years of experience in Early Head Start, or working with infants and toddlers in a center; one year of which must have been in a supervisory or team leader capacity.
• Considerable knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices for early childhood.
• Considerable knowledge of behavior modification theories and practices relating to early childhood Development.
• Considerable knowledge of American with Disabilities Act (AD) standards relating to children education.
• Considerable knowledge of Early Head Start program accreditation requirements.
• Ability to plan, organize and conduct early childhood education programs.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to prepare and maintain work related reports and files.
• Ability to handle confidential information.
• Ability to use a computer and related software.
• Ability to follow established rules and procedures.
• Ability to administer CPR and First Aid.
• Possession of a valid driver's license.
• Must demonstrate sensitivity to our service population's cultural and socioeconomic characteristics and needs.
• Must be able to frequently stand, walk, bend, kneel, stoop, and sit on the floor to interact with young children at their level.
• Must be able to occasionally lift and carry up to 50 pounds, including educational materials and/or children as needed.
• Requires sufficient hand-eye coordination, manual dexterity, and visual and auditory acuity to observe children's behavior, assess classroom environments, and conduct developmental screenings.
• Must be able to work in indoor and outdoor environments, including playground supervision in a variety of weather conditions.
• Requires the ability to travel between program sites, attend training sessions, and conduct home visits as necessary.
• Must be able to maintain focus and physical stamina to perform duties in a busy and dynamic early childhood educational setting.
• Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

Nice To Haves

• Post secondary education preferred.
• A National Credentialed as a Child Development Associate for Infant/Toddlers (CDA) within one year of employment.
• Certification in First Aid and CPR within the probationary period.

Responsibilities

• Plans, organizes, directs and evaluates activities of Early Head Start Family Child Care Providers to ensure the provision of high quality services at each Family Child Care Home.
• Trains Family Child Care Providers regarding licensing in accordance with Early Head Start Performance standards, developmentally appropriate practices, licensing practices, including Child Develop Associate (CDA) and National Association for the Education of the Young children (NAEYC) accreditation standards for preschool age children or infants and toddlers.
• Maintains records and prepares and submits required reports.
• Supervises the work of Early Head Start Family Child Care Providers, assigning and reviewing work, providing training evaluation performance to ensure home activities are properly carried out.
• Performs First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation as needed.
• Compiles data on enrolled children using classroom observations and interviews with parents and Teachers.
• Encourages parent participation as volunteers in Head Start activities such as program planning and Family Child Care Home activities.
• Assists with the development and implementation of strategies for achieving educational objectives.
• Assist in inspecting FCCP to insure compliance with fire, health and safety requirements.
• Conducts one visit to every provider every two weeks to provide on-site feedback and training or technical assistance.
• Performs other related duties as required.
• Provides secretarial and/or administrative support to Child Development / Education Manager.
• Acts as a team player with co-workers.
• Ensures accurate, complete and timely submission of paperwork to Central Services.
• Arranges meetings and conferences that involve the Program Manager efficiently and cost-effectively.
• Maintains organized, complete and accurate program files.
• Establishes effective working relationships with Landlord and/or other vendors.

Benefits

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Telehealth (24/7 online access to Doctors)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Employer paid life insurance (1X salary)
• 13 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday
• Generous PTO policy (starting at 16 working days a year)
• 403(b) Retirement plan with 3% discretionary employer match OR 3% student loan repayment reimbursement
• Tuition reimbursement

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED