Texas Rising Star (TRS) Mentor

Equus•Wichita Falls, TX

About The Position

The Texas Rising Star Mentor provides remote or 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 role is associated with the Child Care Services Program in the office’s 11-county service region. The Mentor provides ongoing professional development and helps ELPs access resources and materials. The Mentor maintains provider caseloads and files, supports continuous quality improvement planning, and offers consultation and training to providers, administrators, teachers, and classroom staff. The role also includes coordinating with partner agencies, documenting provider information, monitoring compliance with applicable policies and procedures, and supporting inclusion for children with disabilities. The position requires regional travel to provider locations and other activities, including meetings, classes, workshops, and, as needed, air travel. Schedules may include evening or weekend work. Work 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 and 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 monitoring provider agreement and accreditation end dates and deadlines.
Ability to work in Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Suite.
Effective oral and written communication with all levels of employees and management, using correct business English, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Ability to balance duties, prioritize work, and meet deadlines.
Willingness to take and pass a drug/alcohol test and comply with the agency’s Drug Free policy.
Must be at least 25 years old 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, and agreement to maintain a satisfactory motor vehicle report and required insurability.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team, with good time management skills and flexibility.
Ability to adapt to inclement weather, drive long distances, work in a moderately noisy office environment, and deal effectively with workplace stress.
Ability to maintain the physical condition and stamina needed for assigned duties, including sitting or standing for extended periods, driving or riding in a bus or van, and operating office equipment.
On occasion, ability to lift or move up to 25 pounds and push or pull more than 25 pounds.

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 Programs, classroom teachers, and administrators using Texas Rising Star mentoring strategies.
Guide and support Early Learning Programs in attaining or maintaining Texas Rising Star certification and improving quality.
Maintain accurate and detailed case files and provider records, and complete documentation, data entry, paperwork, and timesheets accurately and on time.
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, create workshops and training activities, and consult with providers, teachers, and classroom staff.
Collaborate with administrators, teachers, and others to complete and interpret child data to support child development and improve instructional practices.
Promote the Texas Rising Star program with partner agencies, clients, child care centers, and the general public.
Maintain assigned caseloads of Texas Rising Star providers in accordance with Texas Workforce Commission and Workforce Solutions Board requirements.
Implement corrective action plans and sanctions with providers as necessary.
Develop inclusion plans for children identified as having a disability, including verifying 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 strategies.
Notify management of real or perceived problems and report suspected fraud, abuse, or child abuse and neglect as required.
Work cooperatively with providers, staff, vendors, funding-source staff, and monitors, and maintain positive working relationships.
Communicate positively with parents, primary caregivers, and child care providers; treat customers and coworkers without discrimination.
Participate in job-related training, conferences, and workshops; report on-the-job accidents immediately.
Operate office equipment and perform other related duties and special projects as assigned.
Travel to provider locations and to meetings, classes, workshops, and other activities, including air travel as needed.
Adjust schedules to include evening or weekend work as needed and adapt to flexible schedules established by management.