Early Childhood Education Specialist

With over 50 years of operation in Pickaway County, Ohio, PICCA has been helping to empower people to become self-sufficient and improve their quality of life.
PICCA's success in delivering excellent service to the community that we serve is credited fully to our greatest asset - our employees.
PICCA understands the importance of a committed team, and strives to provide an environment that fosters collaboration, learning, and growth.
PICCA employees have a passion for helping our community and go above and beyond to ensure that their clients' needs are being met in every facet possible.
At PICCA, we work together to provide wrap-around service to our clients.
We believe that a smiling face and a little kindness can go a long way! Job Summary The Education Specialist serves as the educational, disabilities, and home visiting support for Head Start and Early Head Start.
The Education Specialist contributes to all systems of Head Start/Early Head Start to support the program?s school readiness goals.
The Education Specialist works with program staff to implement curriculum to fidelity in Head Start and Early Head Start.
The Education Specialist will support program management staff by assisting in the completion of CLASS and HOVRS observations.
Essential Job Functions Assist Teachers and Home Visitors with implementing program curriculum and goals that incorporates all elements and meets all standards established by the program ensuring curriculum fidelity and best practices for staff and families.
Assist Teachers and Home Visitors by providing teachers with training on curriculum, conducting classroom observations, and providing resources and support.
Assist Teachers and Home Visitors with ensuring families are engaged with program staff and specialists to plan for children?s individual education, health, nutrition, disabilities and mental health needs.
Assist in collection of developmental, social-emotional, and speech/language screenings within 45 days of each child?s entry into the program.
Assist in maintaining licensing ratio requirements by serving as a substitute teacher in the classroom when no other substitutes are available.
Assist with collection and analyzing child outcomes data to evaluate current developmental trends.
Conduct HOVRS observations to meet curriculum fidelity and provide quality feedback to Home Visiting staff.
Monitor teacher-child interactions using the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) instrument and share results with Early Childhood Assistant Director to determine needs for professional development.
Assist with coordinating transition plans and activities for children coming into the program and exiting the program.
Assist with coordinating in-service training for staff in education, mental health, disabilities, and home visiting.
Assist with School Readiness Committee.
Assist with planning and occasionally lead monthly Education Staff Meetings.
Assist Early Childhood Assistant Director and (insert) Manager in ensuring that the program complies with Head Start Performance Standards, State Licensing Regulations, Step up to Quality requirements, PAT requirements, and NAEYC guidelines.
Determine when IEP meetings are being held and assure a representative from Head Start can attend.
Required Qualifications Bachelor Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Social Sciences, or related field.
Experience in programs serving children birth to five.
Familiarity with Head Start Performance Standards.
Familiarity with implementation of curriculum.
Effective oral and written communication skills, including computer competency.
Knowledge of available services, agencies and organizations within the community.
Valid Driver?s License and be insurable under agency policy.
Achieve CLASS and HOVRS Certification within six months of employment and maintain certification.
Must provide three references.
Must pass a pre-employment drug screen, physical examination, and tuberculin skin test and update in accordance with program policy.
Must pass BCI and FBI criminal record check and update in accordance with program policy.
Must obtain and maintain certification in pediatric First Aid, CPR, Recognition of Communicable Disease, Child Abuse Recognition, and Blood borne Pathogens training.
Experience or training in Creative Curriculum preferred Experience or training in Parents as Teachers Curriculum preferred Experience or training in Developmental Milestones preferred BENEFITS PICCA offers its employees a wide variety of competitive benefits, including: Annual Leave Personal Leave Sick Leave Paid Holidays Retirement Plan with generous match Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life insurance Compressed work-week for better work/life balance