Early Childhood Specialist (Early Childhood Education)

EASTER SEALS NORTH GEORGIA•Atlanta, GA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Early Childhood Specialist (ECS) participates in the life of assigned centers, promoting best practices and innovations that support children’s learning and staff professional development. Under the supervision of the Director of Quality Implementation and in collaboration with Center Managers, the ECS supports developmentally appropriate, individualized early education services and helps ensure compliance with agency, state, and national standards. The ECS models effective teaching, discipline, and family engagement; identifies and provides resources; and supports classroom staff development. The role serves as a liaison between teaching staff and center leadership and interacts with public schools, parents, other agencies, and the community. The ECS provides consultation and coaching, observes classrooms, monitors curriculum implementation, lesson plans, education folders, screening and referral processes, and child development documentation. The role collaborates with families and community organizations, including local education agencies and Babies Can’t Wait, to support children’s needs and continuity of services. The ECS also participates in training and meetings, uses Child Plus data to support program outcomes, conducts CLASS observations, and helps maintain consistency across centers. The position requires travel to Easter Seals Child Development Centers. Physical activities include standing, sitting, walking, climbing stairs, working on the floor with young children, reaching, handling objects, pushing or pulling up to 25 pounds, and lifting and carrying a child up to age five. Work takes place indoors and outdoors.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Special Education, or a related area.
Three years of experience in inclusive early education settings.
Knowledge of early childhood development, curriculum development and implementation, and classroom management.
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to manage time effectively and establish working relationships within the community.
Ability to operate a business computer.
Ability to travel to all Easter Seals Child Development Centers.
Ability to stand, sit, and walk for sustained periods; climb stairs; stoop, kneel, crouch, sit on the floor, or crawl as needed; and reach in any direction.
Ability to use hands and fingers for computer operation and handling tasks, and to push or pull objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
Ability to lift and carry a child up to age five.
Ability to talk, hear, and see clearly to exchange information, maintain child safety and supervision, use a computer, and perform extensive reading and writing.
Ability to work indoors and outdoors.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Special Education is preferred.
Strong working knowledge of Creative Curriculum, CLASS, Teaching Strategies Gold, ASQ/ASQ:SE, Second Step, and the Pyramid Model.

Responsibilities

Provide on-site consultation and support to Center Managers, Family Support Advocates, parents, and teaching staff regarding early education services.
Work with individuals and teams to improve teaching practices and capacity to work with parents.
Conduct classroom observations, model best practices, and coach staff on curriculum implementation and developmentally appropriate practice.
Source, track, and maintain educational resources for curriculum integration and execution.
Review lesson plans and provide feedback linking planning, individualization, observation, and assessment.
Review education folders and follow up with staff on incomplete items.
Create Teaching Strategies Gold accounts and review documentation; add children to ASQ online and ensure timely screening and referrals.
Follow up on evaluation and treatment of children with disabilities or mental health needs.
Solicit parental input and share staff observations about children’s development and needs with parents.
Collaborate with community organizations, including the Local Education Agency, on recruitment and services for children with disabilities and other special needs.
Participate in LEA eligibility and tracking meetings and communicate with Babies Can’t Wait regarding referrals and status.
Check classroom inventories and assist Center Directors with ordering materials.
Identify community resources that enhance services for children and support consistency between sites.
Promote a learning culture and reflective practice with teaching staff.
Collaborate with staff to set goals, measure success, and provide feedback; implement Practice-Based Coaching.
Participate in planning and implementing annual and ongoing staff, parent, and foster grandparent training, including pre-service, professional development days, and New Teacher Institute.
Attend professional development opportunities as directed.
Schedule, co-facilitate, or participate in agency, center, specialist, family support, intervention, IFSP/IEP, transition, Nap Chats, and parent meetings.
Complete monthly center visit reports and share them with the Center Manager and Director of Quality Implementation.
Enter, analyze, and use Child Plus data to support program outcomes; generate monthly progress reports for the Director of Quality Implementation.
Oversee Teaching Strategies Gold teacher inter-rater reliability and conduct CLASS observations while maintaining reliability in the tool.
Communicate important and relevant matters in a timely manner across organizational levels and teams.
Coordinate projects with Early Childhood Specialists, Family Support Advocates, and Center Managers, and collaborate with Early Childhood Mental Health Specialists.
Contribute to updates of content-area policies and procedures; maintain professionalism and confidentiality.
Perform other duties as assigned by management.