Child Development Specialist

East Texas Council of Governments•Kilgore, TX

About The Position

As a mentor and guide, you'll help childcare programs achieve and maintain Texas Rising Star (TRS) certification. From providing hands-on mentoring and technical assistance to directors, teachers, and staff, to modeling best practices and crafting engaging workshops, your role ensures that quality improvement plans are set and goals are met! You'll also be an advocate for growth and excellence, conducting assessments, supporting professional development, and helping directors become leaders in the field. Whether it's through mock assessments, leadership training, or creating a network of resources, you'll be a critical part of expanding high-quality childcare programs in the Workforce Solutions East Texas Board's 14-county region. Join us to make a meaningful impact and grow with a team dedicated to serving East Texas Childcare programs.

Requirements

Must meet one or more of the following education criteria: Bachelor's degree in early childhood, elementary or special education, child development, child or educational psychology, or family consumer science.
Bachelor's Degree including 18 hours in areas listed above, with at least 12 of the 18 hours in child development.
Associate degree in early childhood, elementary or special education, child development, child or educational psychology, or family consumer science with two years' suitable experience in an early childhood program with preference given for experience with a program that is accredited or TRS certified.
Must be able to obtain 36 hours of annual professional development and continuing education consistent with TRS training requirements for a center director.
Ability to complete the TRS certification course and pursue TWC's coaching micro-credential requirements.
Knowledge of and use of TECPDS.
May have or become a Child Development Associate Professional Development Specialist.
Ability to pass required and complete any further requirements that may be applicable to the TRS Mentor position.
Minimum two years of full-time early childhood experience in child care, Early Head Start, Head Start or pre-kindergarten through third grade school program.
3 to 5 years of experience following best practices in early childhood classroom education.
Understanding of and experience with evaluations, observations and assessments of teachers, and children between the ages 0 to 6.
Employees are required to successfully pass and maintain an annual background and criminal history check in accordance with Texas Child Care Regulation (CCR) requirements, Texas State Law §42.159.

Nice To Haves

Prefer knowledge and understanding of TRS Certification Guidelines and the minimum standards of Texas childcare licensing.

Responsibilities

Provide hands-on mentoring and technical assistance to directors, teachers, and staff.
Model best practices in early childhood education.
Craft and deliver engaging workshops.
Ensure quality improvement plans are set and goals are met.
Conduct assessments of childcare programs.
Support professional development for childcare staff.
Help directors become leaders in the field.
Conduct mock assessments and leadership training.
Create a network of resources to support high-quality childcare programs.
Expand high-quality childcare programs in the Workforce Solutions East Texas Board's 14-county region.