Texas Rising Star (TRS) Mentor

Equus•Wichita Falls, TX

About The Position

The Texas Rising Star (TRS) Mentor provides remote and face-to-face coaching to Early Learning Programs (ELPs), guiding and supporting them in attaining or maintaining Texas Rising Star certification and improving the quality of their practices. The mentor provides ongoing professional development, helps programs access resources and materials, and is associated with the Child Care Services Program in the office’s 11-county service region. The role maintains provider records, agreements, caseloads, and required data; supports providers in developing and implementing Continuous Quality Improvement Plans; and delivers consultation, workshops, and training. The mentor collaborates with administrators and teachers on child data and instructional practices, promotes the TRS program, and coordinates with local entities working to improve child care quality. The position also includes applying relevant policies and procedures for children with disabilities, reporting suspected abuse, neglect, fraud, or abuse, and completing administrative tasks accurately and on time. The role involves normal to heavy regional travel, including travel to provider locations and to meetings, classes, workshops, and conferences. Work may require evening or weekend schedule adjustments. Working from home may be required under extraordinary circumstances established by management.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in early childhood education, child development, special education, child psychology, educational psychology, elementary education, or family consumer science.
One year of full-time early childhood classroom experience in a child care facility, Early Head Start, Head Start, or a prekindergarten through third-grade school program.
Experience in social services skills relating to parents, children, and providers in the child care industry.
Willingness to take and pass Texas Rising Star Mentor certification; failure to pass results in termination.
Ability to write clearly and succinctly and maintain records.
Ability to relate to diverse groups and work with a diverse population, including low-income individuals.
Knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices for young children.
Ability to coordinate training for adults working in early childhood.
Ability to organize and implement systems for tracking provider agreement and accreditation end dates and deadlines.
Ability to work with Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Suite.
Effective oral and written communication using correct business English, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Ability to balance duties, prioritize assignments, and meet deadlines.
Willingness to take and pass a drug/alcohol test and comply with the agency’s Drug Free policy.
At least 25 years of age to operate a company vehicle; the age requirement may be waived by one year with a satisfactory motor vehicle report.
Reliable self-transportation capable of regional travel.
Valid Texas motor vehicle operator’s permit of the appropriate classification and endorsement, with agreement to maintain a satisfactory motor vehicle record and the legally required minimum insurability.
Ability to operate office equipment, including computers, scanners, copiers, printers, calculators, and a multi-line telephone system.
Ability to work independently and in a team environment, manage varied assignments, and adapt to flexible schedules.
Ability to maintain physical condition and stamina for assigned duties, including extended sitting or standing, driving or riding in a bus or van, and operating office equipment.
Ability to lift or move up to 25 pounds on occasion and push or pull weight over 25 pounds on occasion.
Ability to travel normally to heavily within or outside the service area, including by air as needed.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of child care licensing standards and the needs of young children.

Responsibilities

Provide remote and face-to-face coaching and mentoring to early learning program administrators and classroom teachers using Texas Rising Star mentoring strategies.
Maintain accurate, detailed provider case files and records according to department policies.
Prepare provider contractual agreements and explain contract terms to newly contracted child care centers.
Partner with providers to develop and implement Texas Rising Star Continuous Quality Improvement Plans.
Provide professional development, workshops, training, consultation, and guidance to providers, teachers, and classroom staff.
Collaborate with administrators and teachers to complete and interpret child data and improve instructional practices.
Promote the Texas Rising Star program with partner agencies, clients, child care centers, and the public.
Maintain assigned Texas Rising Star provider caseloads in accordance with applicable TWC and Workforce Solutions Board requirements.
Complete accurate documentation and data entry for contracted child care centers.
Implement corrective action plans and sanctions with providers when necessary.
Develop an Inclusion Plan for each child identified as having a disability, including verification of eligibility for an enhanced rate, and ensure applicable policies and procedures are followed.
Serve as a liaison with local entities working to improve the quality of child care.
Evaluate training effectiveness and conduct follow-up activities.
Notify management of real or perceived problems and report suspected child abuse, neglect, fraud, or abuse through appropriate channels.
Work cooperatively with providers, staff, vendors, funding-source staff, and monitors to improve operations and work processes.
Maintain positive working relationships and communicate positively with parents, primary caregivers, and child care providers.
Complete paperwork and timesheets accurately and on time, and arrive punctually ready to work scheduled hours.
Participate in job-related in-service training, conferences, and workshops.
Report on-the-job accidents immediately.
Adjust schedules to include evening or weekend work as needed.
Travel to provider locations and to meetings, classes, workshops, and conferences, including air travel as needed.