Education Consultant

University of New Mexico • Albuquerque, NM

1d • $70,000 - $74,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The University of New Mexico Early Childhood Services Center is hiring Education Consultants to support the Statewide Early Childhood Education and Care Department Comprehensive Early Learning and Consultation initiative. Positions serve one of five Regional Hubs—Española, Farmington, Albuquerque, Roswell, or Las Cruces—and require regional travel and occasional statewide travel. Applicants must identify their preferred Regional Hub in their cover letter.

Using the Integrated Learning Approach, Education Consultants provide practice-based coaching, mentoring, technical assistance, consultation, and professional development to early childhood educators, administrators, and program leaders. They support high-quality, developmentally appropriate, culturally responsive, and inclusive practices that improve the experiences and outcomes of young children and families participating in state-funded early childhood initiatives. The work involves building trusting relationships, identifying strengths and opportunities for growth, and helping early childhood professionals apply research and best practices in classrooms and programs.

The position supports continuous quality improvement and New Mexico early childhood quality initiatives. Consultants facilitate reflective learning, professional development, learning communities, and training in person and virtually; support appropriate use of observation, documentation, assessment, and curriculum planning; and collaborate with regional partners and community stakeholders. Consultants are expected to maintain required credentials and assessment-tool certifications, including annual CLASS reliability recertification. Spanish/English bilingual proficiency is especially valued.

This is a benefits-eligible, exempt, term full-time position, subject to annual renewal and continued funding. The stated term end date is June 30, 2027, and may change based on funding availability. The position is not eligible for remote work. Salary is $70,000–$74,000 annually.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and at least three years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities; a higher completed degree may substitute for experience year for year.
• At least three years of documented combined professional experience in early childhood education, including direct work with infants, toddlers, and/or preschool-aged children and/or work supporting early childhood programs through technical assistance, coaching, mentoring, consultation, training, or professional development.
• Knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices, early childhood observation and documentation, assessment, curriculum planning, and the design and implementation of high-quality learning environments.
• Ability to establish and maintain collaborative, supportive, and professional relationships with educators, administrators, families, and community partners.
• Strong communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills, including the ability to build trust with people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
• Ability to use reflective practice, adult learning principles, and strengths-based approaches to support professional growth and continuous quality improvement.
• Technology proficiency, including virtual learning and facilitation platforms, word processing, spreadsheets, and data management.
• Ability to travel regionally and statewide as required.
• Valid New Mexico driver’s license.
• Must be certified or willing to obtain New Mexico Trainer Registry certification within the first six months of employment.
• Must hold or be willing to obtain CLASS reliability certification within the first six months and maintain annual reliability requirements.
• Must be certified or willing to complete New Mexico Integrated Learning Approach for Professional Development certification within the first six months.
• Must hold or be willing to obtain the appropriate NMAIMH Endorsement within the first six months and maintain annual requirements.
• Applicants must submit a cover letter specifying their preferred Regional Hub and addressing coaching and mentoring experience, assessment knowledge, professional certifications or commitment to obtaining required credentials, and other applicable preferred qualifications.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual Spanish/English proficiency, including the ability to read, write, speak, and facilitate professional learning, coaching, and consultation in both languages.
• Advanced knowledge and experience in early childhood education, including infant and toddler development, preschool curriculum, early learning environments, and developmentally appropriate practices.
• Demonstrated success mentoring, coaching, and building the professional capacity of early childhood educators, administrators, and program leaders.
• Experience facilitating professional development, learning communities, and collaborative training for diverse early childhood audiences.
• Experience with CLASS, Environment Rating Scales, and other recognized early childhood assessment and observation tools.
• Demonstrated ability to attain, maintain, and apply assessment certifications and reliability credentials.
• Experience supporting early childhood programs with quality improvement initiatives, assessment practices, and evidence-informed instructional strategies.
• Knowledge of New Mexico’s early childhood systems, programs, professional development infrastructure, and culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
• Ability to build partnerships and foster collaboration across regional early childhood networks.

Responsibilities

• Provide individualized practice-based coaching, mentoring, technical assistance, and consultation through on-site and virtual visits.
• Build educator and administrator capacity using reflective supervision practices, adult learning strategies, and strengths-based coaching.
• Support implementation of the Authentic Observation Documentation Curriculum Planning process, New Mexico Early Learning frameworks, Essential Elements of Quality, and the FOCUS Quality Rating and Improvement System.
• Strengthen educators’ understanding and use of formal and informal assessment practices aligned with quality improvement initiatives.
• Support the appropriate use of observation, documentation, assessment, and curriculum planning to inform instructional decisions and improve child outcomes.
• Facilitate professional development, learning communities, and regional and statewide training events.
• Support educators in understanding and implementing evidence-informed teaching practices and high-quality learning environments.
• Maintain required professional certifications, assessment credentials, and endorsements, and pursue ongoing professional learning.
• Collaborate with regional partners, community stakeholders, and professional development providers to strengthen the early childhood system.
• Promote culturally and linguistically responsive practices that recognize the strengths, experiences, and needs of New Mexico’s diverse children, families, and early childhood professionals.
• Apply Practice-Based Coaching strategies, including goal-setting, focused observation, reflection, and feedback.
• Work effectively with diverse communities and support the linguistic and cultural needs of the early childhood workforce.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Tuition remission
• Dependent education programs
• Mandatory retirement contributions for eligible employees working greater than .25 FTE

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level