Head Start Education Specialist

Action Pathways•Fayetteville, NC

6h•Onsite

About The Position

The Education Specialist provides direct instructional support and operational assistance to Head Start centers to ensure high-quality classroom environments, effective teaching practices, and full compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards. This position plays a critical role in supporting centers with staffing coverage and ratio management, strengthening lesson planning and curriculum implementation, and delivering ongoing professional development and technical assistance to teaching staff.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or related field required
Minimum of three (3) years of experience in early childhood education, including classroom teaching and staff support or coaching.
Knowledge of accounting software; spreadsheet and word processing software.
Employee must be sufficiently computer literate to learn agency software within 90 days of employment.
Valid driver's license and own reliable transportation.
Knowledge of principles of organization and management is required.
A thorough knowledge and understanding of the needs, characteristics, and development of low-income infants, toddlers and pre-school aged children and families is essential to success in this position.
Applicant must be familiar with North Carolina Child Care Licensing regulations.
Must be able to work and communicate well with a variety of people.
Must be in good medical health as evidenced by an annual medical examination.
Must have annual TB test indicating negative results.
Must be able to pass a post offer employment criminal record background check and random substance abuse tests.
Employee must recognize and be sensitive to the cultural, ethnic, and social diversity among the population served and the community at large.
Employee must maintain strict confidentiality and convey the necessity to co-workers.
Tactfulness and courtesy are essential when representing the agency with the general public.
Employee must be committed to continuous quality and performance improvement.
Current (negative) TB test
Pre - employment physical
First Aid Certification (within 60 days of hire)
CPR Certification (within 60 days of hire)
Valid driver's license or reliable transportation.
Annual state vehicle inspection, and proof of vehicle liability insurance coverage if POV.
Must be able to work and communicate with a wide variety of people, particularly pre-school-aged children.
The employee must be able to pass a criminal background record check and post-offer employment and random substance abuse tests.
The employee must be able to complete a criminal background check and maintain an active Criminal Background Check (CBC) Qualification letter through the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Division of Child Development.
A good driving record with no moving violations is required with Valid Driver's License.
Background check with state and Federal law enforcement agencies required.
Selected applicants must submit to a pre-employment substance abuse screening test and receive a negative result for the use of drugs and alcohol as specified in agency policies.
Must submit and receive negative results for random testing of same.
The employee must have a valid North Carolina Driver's License.
Must be able to pass a post-offer physical examination.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in Head Start or similar early childhood program strongly preferred.
NC Level III Child Care Administrator preferred
The ability to speak Spanish is preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide on-site support to assigned Head Start centers to strengthen classroom practices, teacher effectiveness, and overall program quality.
Serve as a key resource for teachers and center leadership regarding instructional strategies, classroom management, and developmentally appropriate practices.
Conduct regular classroom observations and provide constructive feedback and coaching to support continuous improvement.
Monitor daily classroom ratios in collaboration with Center Directors and site leadership.
Assist with staffing coverage needs to ensure classrooms remain in compliance with licensing requirements and Head Start Program Performance Standards.
Support emergency coverage needs and help develop proactive staffing plans.
Review weekly and monthly lesson plans for alignment with curriculum goals, school readiness outcomes, and individualization requirements.
Provide feedback and coaching to teachers to strengthen lesson quality, intentional teaching practices, and documentation.
Support teachers in using assessment data and child observations to inform planning and instruction.
Plan and facilitate ongoing training and technical assistance for education staff in areas including classroom management, curriculum implementation, child development, and compliance requirements.
Support new teacher onboarding and provide mentoring to new and developing staff.
Collaborate with the Education Manager to identify program-wide training needs and contribute to the professional development plan.
Ensure education services meet Head Start Program Performance Standards and applicable state licensing requirements.
Maintain accurate documentation of classroom observations, lesson plan reviews, training sessions, and technical assistance provided.
Participate in monitoring reviews, audits, and program improvement efforts as needed.
Work collaboratively with Center Directors, Family Services, Health, and Disabilities teams to support comprehensive services for children and families.
Participate in leadership meetings, planning sessions, and special initiatives related to program quality and school readiness.

Benefits

Competitive pay with periodic Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA)
Zero-cost Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability (Employee only)
Retirement plan with 100% employer matching
Paid Vacation/Sick/Personal leave
13 Paid Holidays
Paid professional development training
Education assistance after one year employed
Auto mileage reimbursement for official travel
Employee discounts
Bragg Mutual Credit Union Membership
Employee Recognition Events