Hs/Ehs Quality Assurance Specialist

4C•Orlando, FL

14h

About The Position

This position performs the duties required to ensure program quality and compliance through ongoing review, monitoring, and follow-up support at all Head Start, Early Head Start, and Early Head Start Child Care Partnership directly operated and subcontracted sites. The position is responsible for ensuring that all sites comply with contractual obligations. This includes meeting all Head Start Program Performance Standards, complying with all applicable local and state childcare regulations, and maintaining all 4C Policies and Procedures applicable to HS/EHS.

Requirements

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Knowledge of early childhood growth, development, and education.
Knowledge in ECE and childcare facilities.
Knowledge of the practices, procedures, and regulations in early childcare.
Ability to understand and apply best practices of Active Supervision of children in a classroom environment.
Ability to gain knowledge and to implement the requirements of the Head Start Performance Standards, 4C Head Start Policies and Procedures, and language in the 2007 Head Start Act applicable to Early Head Start.
Knowledge of and the ability to use a variety of computer software applications in word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and database software (including but not limited to Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint).
Ability to navigate the Internet.
Ability to gain knowledge of the ChildPlus database system.
Ability to demonstrate skill in problem solving, time management, documentation, organization, and teamwork.
Ability to demonstrate a high level of interpersonal skills to communicate Agency information effectively to other staff and outside representatives and to represent the Agency positively in the community.
Ability to work under pressure while remaining professional and exhibiting a positive attitude.
Ability to demonstrate excellent organizational and planning skills.
Ability to work and communicate effectively with facilities, Directors, teachers, parents, children, and other personnel.
Ability to meet deadlines, prepare detailed reports, and maintain documentation.
Ability to work independently.
Sensitivity to the needs, abilities, beliefs, and attitudes of individuals, customers, and co-workers including people from various multicultural backgrounds and socio-economic levels within and outside the Agency.
Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Child Development, Social Work, Human Services, Health, Public or Business Administration or closely related field.
Two (2) years’ experience in regulations compliance and/or enforcement, quality assurance, or in an early childhood classroom environment.
(A comparable amount of training, education, or experience may be substituted for the above minimum qualifications.)
Must meet criteria for background screening as required for childcare personnel in childcare licensing regulations.
Possession of a valid Florida Driver’s license and daily access to reliable transportation to and from work and for travel to off-site location.
Ability to speak in front of large groups, communicate via phone and in person.
Able to operate a motor vehicle.
Ability to sit or stand for an extended period of time while performing job functions, and accurately work on computer or other equipment.
Position requires bending, stooping, and kneeling.
Ability to transport materials to meeting sites and classrooms.
The ability to safely and successfully perform essential job functions consistent with the ADA, FMLA, and other federal, state and local standards, including meeting qualitative and/or qualitative productivity standards.
The ability to maintain reasonably, regular, punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA, and other federal, state and local standards.
Compliance with all personnel policies of the Agency.

Responsibilities

Monitors and evaluates all facilities (childcare centers and family childcare homes) to ensure Contract compliance as well as compliance with any Head Start Performance Standards, Program Instruction (PI) from the Office of Head Start, or language in the most recent Head Start Act applicable to HS/EHS services. Also monitors facility compliance with all applicable local and state childcare regulations.
Maintains a thorough knowledge of the most current Head Start Program Performance Standards, Head Start Policies and Procedures, and applicable Federal, State, and Local childcare regulations. Is aware of changes made to these standards and regulations and collaborate with the Senior Program Manager of QA and Facilities to develop and implement new Quality Assurance processes, when needed, to maintain compliance at all program sites.
Provides ongoing guidance to contracted facility Directors/Owners in interpreting and implementing HS/EHS requirements. Recommends and arranges additional training opportunities and/or technical assistance for contracted Directors/Owners and instructional staff as needed.
Provides Quality Assurance onboarding training for all newly hired employees. Provides training to all staff on new requirements and processes and provides additional training for individual staff or sites as needed.
Conducts annual Health and Safety inspections at all sites. Documents inspections in ChildPlus and collaborates with Site Managers and site Owners/Directors to ensure all non-compliances are corrected.
Conducts playground audits. Documents all findings in ChildPlus and communicates outcomes with Site Managers and site Owners/Directors.
Monitors non-compliances in ChildPlus weekly and communicates with Site Managers and site Owners/Directors to ensure non-compliances are corrected.
Collects data on condition of playgrounds at each site and makes recommendations to Senior Program Manager of QA and Facilities when playgrounds need improvement/construction. Participates in any playground improvement/construction to ensure ASTM requirements are met.
Conducts bi-annual monitoring reviews of all Head Start, Early Head Start, and EHS-Child Care Partnership classrooms, and the Pregnant Mother’s Program. Documents reviews in ChildPlus and communicates outcomes with program management staff, service areas leads, site managers, and specialists. Develops Corrective Action Plans (CAPs) for non-compliances. Monitors CAP completion and communicates with appropriate personnel when CAPs are past due.
Monitors DCF reports weekly for all assigned sites to ensure compliance with DCF standards. Completes follow-up communications and/or site visits, as needed, to ensure site compliance and child safety.
Conducts annual contract monitoring to ensure the agency has current contracts completed for all program sites and all contract documentation is on file, accurate, and meets Head Start and DCF requirements. Completes pre-contract review of prospective sites to determine site needs. Educates prospective site owners/directors about Head Start and 4C policies and procedures. Conducts pre-enrollment review of newly contracted sites or classrooms to determine when a facility or classroom is compliant in all areas and ready to open.
Audits instructional staff personnel files annually. Collaborates with Human Resources department to ensure all instructional staff files are compliant with agency, Head Start, and DCF rules and regulations. Audits children’s files bi-annually in ChildPlus and on-site at all program site locations to ensure accuracy of file documentation and compliance with all federal, state, local, and program regulations. Develops Corrective Action Plans (CAPs) for non-compliances and communicates audit outcomes to Site Supervisors, site Owners/Directors, service area leads, and specialists. Monitors CAP progress to completion. Provides detailed reports indicating areas of non-compliance to the Senior Program Manager of QA and Facilities. Collects data when it is determined that a site needs an improvement plan. Assists in developing the improvement plan. Tracks and ensures that follow-up on areas requiring correction/improvement and re-monitoring takes place within contractual time limits. Completes a quarterly Specialist Report in the ChildPlus database to ensure the completion and accuracy of service area monitoring records.
Collaborates with the Senior Program Manager of QA and Facilities to develop the program’s annual Self-Assessment process, collect needed data, train group leaders, and support group participants. Collaborates with Quality Assurance and Education teams to plan, coordinate, and implement the program’s pre-service training event. Assists in securing venues for targeted professional development training throughout the year for all Head Start program departments. Assist others on the QA team with the management of sites in the absence of a Quality Assurance Specialist. Participates in ongoing trainings to include Head Start Program Performance Standards, Head Start Act, DCF regulations, OSHA regulations, ASTM standards, and ChildPlus database practices. Participates in the Agency’s Quality Improvement Program.