Early Childhood Dev Coach

Save the Children US•Pineville, LA

8d•$43,957 - $47,664

About The Position

The Early Childhood and Development Coach works with the Manager, Education and Inclusion to provide technical assistance, management, oversight, and support to Head Start and/or Early Head Start programs. The role supports effective coordination, implementation, and monitoring of education services, including research-based curricula and recognized best practices in early childhood and special education, and provides educational resources for staff and parents. The Coach trains and supports classroom staff to promote high-quality programming, monitors child and teacher progress, and helps ensure program objectives are met. In consultation with the Program Director and other managers, the Coach helps resolve complex issues and ensure compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards. As a representative of Save the Children, the role also helps protect the safety and security of children and families and upholds the agency’s values of Accountability, Ambition, Collaboration, Creativity, and Integrity.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or equivalent, equivalent coursework in early childhood education with early education teaching experience, and at least two years of relevant experience.
Experience working with infants and toddlers and/or preschool-aged children.
Experience in supervision and training.
Experience developing consistent, stable, and supportive relationships with very young children.
Training and experience in adult learning and using assessment data to guide coaching strategies aligned with program performance goals.
Experience with developmentally appropriate practices, child safeguarding, and effective communication with young children, parents, and staff.
Knowledge of Head Start Program Performance Standards.
Experience with program planning and supervisory techniques and practices.
Professional proficiency in spoken and written English.
Ability to communicate and collaborate with internal and external individuals and teams at all levels to provide high-quality services to children and families.
Strong interpersonal, communication, organizational, problem-solving, and time-management skills.
Ability to follow established and communicated directions and take initiative.
Ability to maintain the strict confidentiality of required information.
Ability to meet the physical demands of medium to heavy work: exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, 20 pounds frequently, and 5–10 pounds constantly; activities include sitting, crawling, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, and grasping, as well as repetitive motions, keyboarding, and computer use.
Must meet pre-employment background check requirements, including applicable criminal-record, sex-offender-registry, employment, education, and child-abuse-registry checks, and pass required state and local health requirements after an offer and before employment.
May need to operate a motor vehicle; must maintain a valid driver’s license and comply with Save the Children vehicle-safety policies.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual ability, particularly English/Spanish or English and another language used by children and families.
For positions in North Carolina, Birth-Kindergarten (B-K) licensure is preferred.
Current and former Head Start/Early Head Start parents receive preference for qualified vacancies.

Responsibilities

Work with the Manager, Education and Inclusion and Program Director to assess education staff, identify strengths and support needs, and identify staff who may benefit from intensive coaching.
Align teacher practices and program performance goals with school readiness objectives, curricula, and professional development approaches.
Conduct intensive coaching, including observing education staff and providing feedback and modeling of effective practices tied to program performance goals.
Provide other research-based professional development to staff not identified as needing intensive coaching.
Establish policies ensuring assessment results are not used solely for punitive staff actions without time and resources for improvement.
Maintain ongoing communication with the Program Director, Manager, Education and Inclusion, and other relevant staff.
Ensure classrooms and centers have adequate supplies and equipment, and that schedules and activities are age- and developmentally appropriate.
Attend home visits, parent conferences, and IEP or IFSP meetings when requested or needed.
Visit classrooms regularly—4–6 hours per month per site—to conduct observations, including CLASS, and provide training, technical assistance, coaching, and mentoring.
Build capacity by providing training and technical assistance directly to Head Start/Early Head Start staff, parents, and community partners.
Develop and incorporate the Program for Infant Toddler Caregivers (PITC) into curricula and parent/child activities, support consistent staff use of PITC in classrooms and home visits, and provide strategies for young English language learners and their families.
Oversee site tracking of child screenings and assessments, child data collection, and participation in local evaluation activities.
Provide ongoing staff training in policies, procedures, program requirements, communication, and problem-solving.
Maintain constant alertness and work safely, using active supervision to ensure children are never left alone or unsupervised.
Complete other tasks as assigned or needed.

Benefits

Paid time off, including 10 winter break days, 5 spring break days, 5 personal days, 11 holidays, and 2 floating holidays per year.
Competitive health care coverage for employees and families.
Dental insurance.
Vision insurance.
Employer-paid short- and long-term disability benefits.
Health Savings Account option with an employer contribution match for eligible participants enrolled in a High-Deductible Health Plan.
Flexible Spending Account options for health care and dependent care.
Agency-paid life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment benefits.
Parental and adoption benefits.
Fertility benefits.
Annual merit increases and/or additional incentives for eligible employees.
Retirement savings plan with employer contributions after one year.
Wellness support and health benefits through Calm, plus company-hosted events.
Employee Assistance Program offering free and confidential assessments, short-term counseling, referrals, and follow-up services.
Internal and external learning and development opportunities, mentorships, certification assistance, and tuition assistance.