As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.
UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.
POSITION PURPOSE
The University of Washington (UW) is proud to be one of the nation's premier educational and research institutions. Our people are the most important asset in our pursuit of achieving excellence in education, research, and community service.
Cultivate Learning fosters the quality that makes access to learning meaningful. Backed by the University of Washington, our research-powered innovations and hands-on partnership create a fertile environment for smarter teaching and learning. We advance opportunity by lowering barriers to entering the profession and guiding educators to success. And we identify the building blocks of quality along with the path to use them - in Washington State and across the country. Every child deserves to flourish from a foundation of quality learning. This core belief drives our work to provide talented learning professionals with the support they need to build that foundation. At Cultivate Learning, we translate insight into learning opportunity.
Cultivate Learning is funded by the Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) and provides training and research on the quality of childcare and early learning in Washington State. Currently, Cultivate Learning is involved in the Washington State Quality Recognition and Improvement System (QRIS) standards initiative, Early Achievers. Cultivate Learning is an essential part of Washington State's Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge initiative to give childcare providers the support and skills they need in order to help children develop the skills they need to be successful in school.
Cultivate Learning has an outstanding opportunity for a temporary Community Liaison whose major focus will be serving programs throughout Washington State. This position will be remotely based. The Community Liaison must be located within Washington State to have proximity and access to Cultivate Learning's regional colleagues. The Community Liaison serves as an important point of contact between early learning providers who are participating in Early Achievers and other members of the Cultivate Learning Evaluation Team. The Community Liaison position establishes trust with local providers, explains the recognition process and what will happen during quality recognition, works with the local contact at each agency to create a procedural outline for recognition based on the characteristics and comfort level of each agency, creates strategic quarterly plans for Community Liaison and evaluation, maintains materials used for quality recognition, and provides a line of communication from local providers to the Cultivate Learning office.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Understand, communicate, and promote principles for quality early learning that help children succeed in school and beyond.
Demonstrate understanding of the rationale behind QRIS Standards and local and state requirements for early care and education programs serving young children.
Work with Quality Recognition Specialists and managers to create strategic quarterly plans for quality recognition and ensure that the quotas in these plans are met.
Follow Cultivate Learning procedures and protocols and complete Community Liaison checklist during call with site.
Support the managers in the implementation of a recognition and improvement system.
In line with Cultivate Learning protocols, communicate rationale underlying QRIS standards in the field and provide a line of communication between local providers and the Cultivate Learning central office.
Maintain quality recognition equipment and materials; maintain inventory of recognition materials and return materials to UW including inventory and package tracking number.
Facilitate safe and efficacious quality recognition.
Obtain information from MERIT before each recognition contact to expedite the Community Liaison contact as well as the quality recognition process.
Assist providers in completing the post-evaluation survey.
Willingness to schedule Community Liaison contact outside of business hours (during evening and weekends), as needed, depending on the availability of providers within targeted region.
Meet and correspond regularly with Tribal and Community Liaison Manager and Program Managers to report on progress and any challenges encountered in the field.
Conduct Community Liaison phone calls with providers and ensure that all information is accurate and submitted to Cultivate Learning Scheduling Team in a timely manner.
Provide weekly updates to the Tribal and Community Liaison Manager.
Create and post weekly updates about whether quality recognition is proceeding within the allotted schedule and related processes.
Maintain communication with, and provide assistance to, local providers, managers, and quality recognition specialists.
Work with providers to update changes. Be available for phone calls or contact from quality recognition specialists and/or Scheduling Team on the day of quality recognition coding if questions arise. Serve as the contact person for all sites during the whole recognition process.
Communicate changes to Department of Children, Youth and Families Quality Rating Information System mailbox and key staff as necessary.
Maintain the recognition queue following established protocol.
Develop agenda with Tribal and Community Liaison Manager and be available to attend and participate fully in joint partnership meetings.
Explain Cultivate Learning's Recognition process to CCA Regional Coordinator, Regional Manager, and CCA Coaches as needed.
Establish and maintain positive relationships with local Early Achievers partners such as Child Care Aware of Washington (CCA).
Reach out to fellow Community Liaison to support or ask for support as needed while keeping Tribal and Community Liaison Manager and Assessment Leads informed.
Create strategic plans for quality recognition in coordination with Cultivate Learning staff.
Communicate Cultivate Learning's mission, program, and procedures in a strong, positive way to the public.
Under the guidance of Tribal and Community Liaison Manager and Program Managers, provide support for local CCA staff in terms of documenting questions about measures, bringing these questions to the quality recognition team, and communicating information provided by the Cultivate Learning office.
Follow Cultivate Learning values in your daily work.
Other duties as dictated by the evolving needs of the project.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor's degree to include a minimum of two years' experience, with significant coursework in observational methods, early childhood assessment, early childhood education and care, child development and learning, and family systems, or equivalent experience.
Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Ability to drive personal vehicle to and from site visits and Cultivate Learning office as required by workload and Tribal and Community Liaison Manager. Proof of valid driver's license and auto insurance required.
Available during weekends and evenings to drive to and conduct visits with early childcare providers who are unable to meet during business hours.
Knowledge of and experience with child assessments and program assessments.
Demonstrate understanding of the rationale behind QRIS Standards and local and state requirements for early care and education programs serving young children.
Ability to work effectively in a team environment.
Ability to work with people of various racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Demonstrate ability to successfully manage time and priorities to meet deadlines, implement organizational skills, multi-task, and provide attention to detail.
Ability to communicate efficiently and effectively at all levels within an organization.
Ability to consistently apply sound professional judgment and critical thinking to address complex issues, solve problems, and maintain a high level of confidentiality.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Exceptional organizational skills.
Proficiency with personal computing environment, Microsoft Office Suite, and the Internet.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Master's degree.
Additional 2-3 years of relevant work experience.
Application Process: The application process may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select "Apply to this position". Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you your "My Jobs" page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are access ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.
Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.
The University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.
To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu.
Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.
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