Professional Development Specialist - Juneau

Thread•Juneau, AK

About The Position

The Professional Development Specialist provides professional development supports and services to early educators and early childhood education programs to improve the quality of early childhood education in Alaska. Services include training, Child Development Associate (CDA) support and verification, technical assistance, consultation, and coaching on early care and education topics. The specialist provides on- and off-site services informed by formal and informal assessment tools, and creates, implements, and facilitates training using adult-learning best practices in both in-person and distance formats. The role supports educators pursuing credentials, including the CDA and Alaska Early Childhood Administrator Credential; conducts requested on-site assessments; and helps programs with continuous quality improvement and national accreditation standards. The specialist also supports educators and, at times, families in accommodating children, family members, and staff with special needs or challenging behaviors. The position includes data and report maintenance, team projects, and representing thread in communities and partner settings. Work takes place across Alaska and involves travel, including occasional trips to rural communities by small plane.

Requirements

A current driver’s license is required; an Alaska driver’s license is preferred.
Reliable transportation for commuting to and from centers and clients.
Ability to pass a background check; references and valid identification are required.
Ability to travel to meet job requirements, including occasional travel to rural communities by small plane.
Ability to work a varied schedule based on service delivery needs, including evenings and weekends as required.
Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
Strong interpersonal skills.
Knowledge of early care and education, inclusive child care, children’s health and social services, and community resources.
Knowledge of child development, early childhood best practices, and effective professional development models.
Ability to communicate effectively with diverse early childhood and school-age professionals, parents, staff, and community members.
Ability to collaborate with team members across the state.
Comfort and skill using database systems and general office programs, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, Zoom, PowerPoint, Salesforce, shared project management tools, and Outlook.

Nice To Haves

BA/BS in child development, education, health education, social work, or a related field; equivalent early childhood education experience, skills, and competencies may be considered.
Prior professional experience in an early childhood setting.
Experience coaching and teaching adults.
Experience in early childhood development, mental health, or related work.
Experience with early childhood and school-age program assessment tools.
Knowledge of adult education practices and experience training and consulting; comfort with public speaking.
Bilingual speaking, reading, and writing skills.

Responsibilities

Provide training, CDA support and verification, technical assistance, consultation, and coaching to early childhood and school-age professionals.
Deliver on- and off-site professional development services informed by formal and informal assessment tools.
Create, implement, and facilitate professional development training using adult-learning best practices, both in person and remotely.
Support educators working toward and obtaining a Child Development Associate credential through the Council for Professional Recognition.
Provide career guidance to early childhood and school-age professionals, including guidance on the Alaska Early Childhood Administrator Credential.
Conduct on-site assessments of environments and operations using formal assessment tools when requested.
Gather, enter, and maintain program data and reports through database systems and shared office communication and documentation tools.
Support educators and, at times, families in accommodating people with special needs and/or challenging behaviors in early childhood program settings.
Support early childhood programs in continuous quality improvement, including work toward national accreditation standards.
Deliver professional development services in accordance with Learn & Grow, Alaska’s Quality Recognition and Improvement System, and its procedures and practices.
Follow team policies and procedures for professional development services, including data entry and document management.
Develop, coordinate, or lead team projects as assigned.
Represent thread and promote its services at community events, partnership meetings, and committees as assigned.
Perform other duties as assigned.