Education Specialist II

State of Maine

1d•$54,018 - $80,288•Onsite

About The Position

The primary purpose of this position is to provide outreach, professional learning, and technical assistance to SAUs and community-based early childhood programs (e.g., licensed child care programs, Head Start programs, etc.) to support the development and expansion of public preschool partnerships. The position is also responsible for the design, implementation, and monitoring of the Early Childhood Nutrition Grant (ECNG) program. Through a variety of formats, the position supports SAUs and community-based early childhood programs in understanding the regulations governing the development and implementation of partnerships for the provision of public preschool programming, including the ECNG program. The position interprets and explains Maine’s public preschool and federal Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) rules and regulations to public preschool partnership program operators; supports the development of public preschool memorandums of understanding (MOUs) between SAUs and licensed community-based programs; provides personalized technical assistance to new partnership programs for completing required documentation and implementing programming; evaluates, processes and approves applications and agreements to ensure compliance with program requirements; develops and updates program standards and guidelines to support compliance with federal and state regulations; monitors and evaluates partnership sites to ensure compliance with program requirements; and manages ECNG funding and reimbursement processes within established timeframes.

Requirements

Expertise in early childhood development and education (birth–5), including pedagogy, inclusive and learner-centered practices, curriculum, assessment, developmentally appropriate practices, experiential learning, and Maine’s Preschool Early Learning and Development Standards.
Knowledge of Maine and federal early childhood systems, programs and regulations, including public education, special education, Head Start, child care licensing, child nutrition programs, and other state and federal policies affecting young children and families.
Knowledge of program administration and compliance management, including application development and processing, contracts, budgeting, financial oversight, allowable expenditures, reimbursement methodologies, monitoring, evaluation, reporting including but not limited to data collection, and on-site program reviews.
Ability to interpret and apply complex laws, rules, and regulations and effectively communicate their implications to providers, school districts, agencies, stakeholders, and the public.
Skills in planning, organizing, implementing, and evaluating programs and initiatives, including data analysis, documentation, reporting, and continuous improvement practices.
Skills in professional learning, technical assistance, and organizational development, including facilitating groups, supporting systemic change, and providing guidance to improve program implementation and compliance.
Strong communication, collaboration, and relationship-building skills, with experience working effectively with SAUs, state agencies, community organizations, internal teams, and other partners.
Strong organizational, problem-solving, and technology skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities, meeting deadlines in a regulatory environment, identify effective solutions, and use current computer programs and applications.
A Bachelors Degree in Education or required specialty/subject area and two (2) years professional level experience in required specialty/subject area.
A Masters Degree in Education or required specialty/subject area may be substituted for experience on a year-for-year basis.
Individual positions may require a professional teaching certificate in assigned specialty/subject area as issued by the State Department of Education & Cultural Services.

Nice To Haves

Experience with administration of child nutrition programs

Responsibilities

Provide outreach, professional learning, and technical assistance to SAUs and community-based early childhood programs to support the development and expansion of public preschool partnerships.
Design, implement, and monitor the Early Childhood Nutrition Grant (ECNG) program.
Support SAUs and community-based early childhood programs in understanding regulations for public preschool programming and the ECNG program.
Interpret and explain Maine’s public preschool and federal Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) rules and regulations.
Support the development of public preschool memorandums of understanding (MOUs) between SAUs and licensed community-based programs.
Provide personalized technical assistance to new partnership programs for completing required documentation and implementing programming.
Evaluate, process, and approve applications and agreements to ensure compliance with program requirements.
Develop and update program standards and guidelines to support compliance with federal and state regulations.
Monitor and evaluate partnership sites to ensure compliance with program requirements.
Manage ECNG funding and reimbursement processes within established timeframes.

Benefits

13 paid holidays
12 days of sick leave
3+ weeks of vacation leave annually
Personal leave for overtime-exempt employees
Health insurance coverage (State pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums)
Health insurance premium credit (5% decrease in employee-only premiums)
Dental insurance (State pays 100% of employee-only premiums)
Retirement plan (State contributes 14.06% of pay to MainePERS)
Gym membership reimbursement (up to $40 per month)
Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness eligibility
Living Resources Program (employee assistance program)
42 consecutive calendar days of fully paid parental leave (for fathers and adoptive parents)
Additional unpaid leave may be available under FMLA
Voluntary Deferred Compensation (MaineSaves 457(b) account)
Extensive and highly competitive benefits package covering many aspects of wellness