POSITION SUMMARY/CLASS DESCRIPTION

POSITION SUMMARY:
Early Childhood Program Specialist is part of the Howard County Child Care Resource Center and is responsible for providing coaching and technical assistance services to childcare programs/providers to address concerns and work cooperatively with the early care community to increase the availability of high-quality childcare for children birth to 5 years within Howard County. The specialist is a collaborative partner guiding programs through the interactive process to assist in professional learning and instruction of program staff in the area of infant/toddler growth and development. This position will also develop and implement trainings and assist in programming and service delivery throughout the Office of Children and Families. 

***This is a grant-funded position and will be abolished when the grant-funding ends.***   

STARTING SALARY HIRING RANGE:
$25.88 - $28.93
$53,824 - $60,184

CLASS DESCRIPTION: 

Performs professional level human services work, which may include supervisory responsibility, under general supervision from an administrative or technical superior.   Work includes human service, administrative, and counseling work; providing counseling and programmatic services to the special populations; and providing assistance in identifying the population at risk, its needs and how to meet those needs.  Organizes and publicizes large events for citizens or special groups.  Work also includes providing services needed to carry out human service programs or the operation of a medium sized center with extensive regional responsibility and concurrent programming.  

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Include the following. Other duties may be assigned.  

  • Work and cooperate with co-workers and supervisors at all levels.  
  • Learn and perform all essential job functions.  
  • Provide direct services to referred child care programs; observation, assessment, coaching and support to child care programs/providers focused on the developmental, environmental, programmatic and material needs of infants and toddlers, and evaluate outcomes.  
  • Plan and conduct support sessions for child care providers/programs focused on topics relevant to the care of infants and toddlers in relation to local, state, and national quality initiates utilizing virtual platforms and in-person consultation.  
  • Conduct environmental assessments of child care centers and/or family child care homes.  
  • Provide verbal and written feedback to directors, and child care providers; discuss ways of supporting individual children's development and positive peer interactions; identify classroom or provider concerns; make suggestions for building on individual strengths.  
  • Maintain written documentation for all general and individual observations to include recommendations, goals, classroom modifications, management techniques and other strategies for classroom staff and/or family child care providers. 
  • Provide support and resources for caregivers of infants and toddlers focusing on program practices that support healthy development, learning and family engagement.   
  • Provide mentoring and support to child care community for Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) initiatives including Maryland Accreditation Project, Maryland Child Care Credential Program, Maryland Excels, Early Learning Assessment, Environmental Rating Scales, etc.   
  • Assists in research in the areas of child care start-up and expansion, technical assistance service delivery; child care needs in the region, as well as creating comprehensive delivery plans for completion.   
  • Maintain an electronic data base of services; document activities using observation notes, intake forms, contact notes/activities as well as any grant mandated forms, utilizing the Maryland Child Care Resource Center Network Data System as directed by Maryland Family Network.  
  • Provide child care providers, directors, and parents with applicable resource materials in the form of pamphlets, literature, curriculum materials, demonstrate how they can be used effectively in the care setting and recommendations/referrals as appropriate.  
  • Establish strong relationships with the child care community and act as a liaison.  
  • Participate in weekly supervision meetings with Program Manager to discuss progress, challenges, and other issues as they arise.  
  • Conduct workshops and trainings on topics relevant to behavior management, development and appropriate practices to infant/toddler childcare providers.  
  • Participate in professional development opportunities.  
  • Assist with and/or provides support for training workshop logistics at the Howard County Child Care Resource Center and on-sites.   
  • Assist with events, community outreach, programs and service delivery within the Office of Children and Families to the community for early care and education providers and parents.
  • Participate in program meetings and continued professional training.   
  • Participate in activities related to Emergency Management as requested, including work outside normal business hours. 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: 

This job has no supervisory responsibilities. 

MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent combination of education and experience. 

PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

  • BA/BS degree in Early Childhood Education, Education, Special Education, Child Development, Human Services or related field.  
  • Completion of a 3-credit (45 clock hour) course in Child Development and completion of a 3-credit (45 clock hour) course on Curriculum/Methods and Materials for Infant/Toddler.  
  • Experience specific to the care of children birth to 5 years.  
  • Knowledge of current early childhood research and COMAR regulations.   
  • Experience working with or providing outreach service and strategies to children and families.  
  • Experience training early childhood professionals and parents of young children.  
  • Knowledge of infant and child development.  
  • Knowledge of community resources.  
  • Ability to establish trusting relationships. 
  • Ability to travel throughout the County.  
  • Open to reflective practice. 
  • Strong interpersonal skills, excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to work well with an ethnically diverse population.  
  • Strong computer proficiency especially with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), database management and spreadsheet applications necessary.  
  • Proficiency in virtual platforms and use of technology for human services delivery.
     

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; sit; and use hands to touch, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and ability to adjust focus. Employee must be able to drive to assisted living facilities, meetings, etc.   

This is a field/technical position with work typically performed in both office and field settings and requiring the ability to maneuver in and around such settings. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.  


LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS AND REASONING ABILITY:
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

Ability to regularly use independent judgment, analysis, evaluation, creativity, and consultation to carry out instructions presented in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. 

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONS

Possession of a valid driver's license.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

TO APPLY visit Howard County Government.