Early Head Start Coach - Bilingual English / Spanish Strongly Preferred

The Early Head Start (EHS) Coach provides support to classroom teachers and home visitors through observation, goal setting and reflective practices. The coach's goal is to enhance the services provided by our employees through one-on-one and/or small group coaching sessions to accomplish self-identified goals along with program activities. Provide training resources and technical assistance related to professional development and maintain records of training needs and outcomes.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Observations

• Observes and assesses classroom environments to ensure each child's needs are met though culturally, developmentally and socially/emotionally appropriate strategies by classroom staff.
• Observes home visit experiences to ensure highest level of services are provided specifically to ensure that services are tailored to family needs and are responsive to families self-set goals.
• Conducts Parent Feedback calls to evaluate the quality of services provided to their family.

Coaching/Mentoring

• Facilitates learning through a variety of delivery methods including Practice Based Coaching model to provide support to teachers and home visitors via classroom instruction, virtual training, and/or on-the-job coaching.
• Provides opportunities for staff to set goals, practice skills, promote leadership skills and provide positive and constructive feedback to facilitate professional development.
• Supports staff by providing resources and guidance for parents in all areas that support school readiness goals and parent engagement.
• Models best practices for staff when interacting with children and families.
• Identifies internal and external training programs to address competency gaps and partner with internal stakeholders regarding employee training needs, organize, develop or source training programs to meet specific training needs and develop training aids such as manuals and handbooks.
• Partners with subject matter experts regarding instructional design.

Training, Assessment, & Tracking

• In partnership with staffs, evaluates and creates long-term career improvement plans.
• Conducts, analyzes and interprets observation tools and assessments to use for planning and feedback for improvement, both on an individual basis and as a program.
• Designs and applies assessment tools to measure training effectiveness. 
• Provides feedback to program participants and management.
• Evaluates and makes recommendations on training material and methodology.
• Coordinates training plans for staff in collaboration with program coordinators, supervisors and leadership.
• Ensures required trainings are provided in accordance with the safety standards of Oregon Rules for Certified Child Care Centers and Head Start Performance Standards.
• Monitors, maintains, and tracks employee training requirements, needs and outcomes.
• Facilitates the enrollment of staff in the Oregon Registry Step System and generate certificates to update individual ORO accounts.
• Coordinates with RN therapeutic classroom supervisors and leadership for our enrollment in the Oregon's Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) processes.
• Supports classroom supervisor in completing environmental assessments and teacher observations to make recommendations as part of the QRIS Plan.

Other Related Activities

• Receives training and ongoing skill building in Together Learning and Collaborating (TLC) coaching model.
• Meets with supervisor regularly for reflective supervision, professional development, accountability, program improvement, and problem solving.
• Attends meetings, trainings and appropriate professional development activities
• Supports the work of Family Building Blocks volunteers and interns as an integral part of program services.

Minimum Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in early childhood education, child development, or a related field with additional infant/toddler training.
• Bilingual English / Spanish.
• Demonstrated experience working with adult learners utilizing adult instructional and learning theory and principles, instructional design, learning management systems and competency assessment as it applies to the theories and principles of child growth and development, early childhood education and family support.
• Two years of experience providing support or coordinating services for at-risk families while adhering to program policies and standards.
• At least one year of professional experience with home visiting and/or early childhood programs or working in a social service setting working with children and families.
• Possess excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Possess strong organizational, time management, and recordkeeping skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment and promoting positive, forward thinking, and a strength-based culture.
• Must be creative, flexible, able to juggle multiple priorities, exercise good judgment.
• Must maintain high degree of professionalism and sensitivity to confidentiality rights of families and employees.
• Possess strong organizational, time management, and recordkeeping skills.
• Strong computer skills, to include use of internet, email, and data entry not limited to Microsoft Office and database software such as ChildPlus and the ability to learn new programs required for the position.
• Supports multiculturalism by treating all people with dignity and respect and not engaging in discriminatory behavior.
• Strong commitment to Family Building Blocks mission and values serving children and families as well as staff.
• Support Family Building Blocks established safety policies and procedures toward a safe and healthy work environment.
• Culturally responsive with the ability to build trusting relationships with families.
• Committed to engaging and supporting volunteers as an integral part of program services.
• Possess a valid Oregon Driver's license or ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire, acceptable driving record, and reliable transportation. Must be able to provide proof of current auto insurance.
• Must have Pediatric First Aid/ CPR card and Food Handler's card within 30 days of employment.
• Possess Oregon Child Care Division Background Registry (CBR) or successfully pass clearance to obtain CBR.
• An employer-paid pre-employment drug test and completion of Health Questionnaire is required
• Successfully pass a criminal conviction background check.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Additional formal education in Early Childhood Education, Child Development or a closely related field.
• Experience utilizing mentoring and coaching principles and reflective practices with adult learners in a professional early childhood education program setting.
• Two years of professional work experience with home visiting and/or early childhood programs that includes infant/toddler classrooms with a strong background in prevention services.
• Knowledge of Head Start performance standards, goals, and objectives for young children and families.
• Knowledge of infant and child development and parent-child attachment.
• Experience with family services that embrace the concepts of family-centered and strength-based service provision.

Additional Requirements:

• Mandatory Reporter - Report all cases of suspected abuse and neglect in accordance with Oregon statutes and agency policies and procedures.
• Must maintain throughout the length of employment an acceptable driving record according to FBB criteria and valid auto insurance.
• Employees must sustain a drug-free and acceptable criminal record throughout the course of employment.
• Must maintain discretion and respect the confidentiality of information about enrolled families, personnel issues, and other program operations.
• Completion of training in "Recognizing and Reporting Suspicions of Child Abuse and Neglect" upon hire.

Language

This positions requires bilingual English/Spanish- must communicate fluently with participants and provide specialized instruction in related curriculum. This may involve translation as well as developing strategies to engage Hispanic speaking personnel in training activities that will encourage engagement and attendance.

Expected Hours of Work

This position requires a flexible schedule to prepare training venues, collaborate with community partners, recruit, assist in transportation duties and schedule other program activities that may include occasional overtime, late and/or early mornings.

Travel

This position requires regular transitioning from different training locations, travel to perform observations and to visit other sites and attend trainings/meetings.

Physical Demands

• Required to frequently reach with hands and arms; regularly required to climb or balance; occasionally required to stand; walk; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Regularly lift and/or move 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Physical ability to quickly evacuate children from the classroom in an emergency.
• Manual dexterity for handling office equipment.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Open until finalists are selected.