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SalaryUse your excellent customer service/communication skills and knowledge of Early Childhood Education to become Early Learning Specialty Coach with Opportunity Council and Child Care Aware. Apply today!
Child Care Aware of Northwest WA is responsible for providing Early Learning coaching services to licensed child care providers in a five-county region. This includes the coordination and implementation of Early Achievers, Washington’s Quality Recognition and Improvement System (QRIS). Early Achievers is Washington State’s system for supporting licensed child care providers offer high-quality care.
The Early Learning Coach is responsible for the implementation of services on behalf of Early Achievers (EA), Washington’s Quality Recognition and Improvement System (QRIS). Responsibilities encompass “improvement” supports for providers that include, but are not limited to, technical assistance, professional development and coaching services. Early Achievers offers coaching services for Early Learning professionals (family child care, child care center, Early Childhood Education Assistance Program, Head Start and Early Head Start) before and after they have received a quality rating in order to support each child’s learning and development. Coaches may also provide services to non-EA programs throughout the region. Coaches are a member of the Quality Child Care/Early Achievers Team. Specialty Coaches have a focus in providing training and professional development for providers and/or facilitating Play and Learn Groups to support Family, Friends and Neighbors providers.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Provides culturally relevant/inclusive coaching services to licensed child care centers, family child care and school age programs by responding to the support needs of each program.
- Recruits and assists licensed center and family child care providers through the WA State Early Achievers Quality Recognition and Improvement System.
- Provides culturally relevant/inclusive coaching services by developing and maintaining schedules for on-site and/or virtual visits based on program need.
- Communicates via; phone, online platforms and e-mail in alignment with Coaching frameworks. Coaching is provided individually and with groups of participants in cohorts.
- Supports participants in building capacity around various domains including specific Early Learning topics, use of technology, navigating the state professional development system, and business practices.
- Manages a caseload of approximately up to 30 programs and assists Early Achievers participants in reaching specific milestones over a distinct period of time.
- Participates in training and other professional development activities as required.
- Participates in community of practice with other coaches.
- Documents their work within 10 days of activity using required data bases and completes mandatory reports within established deadlines.
- May provide needed and/or required specialized services such as the following: Department of Youth and Family Services (DCYF) Approved Trainer, Environment and/or Interactions, Behavior/Mental Health, Infant Toddler, FIND, Curriculum, ECEAP/HS/EHS/ESIT, Facilitate Play and Learn Groups and others as field acknowledges.
OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:
- If hired as a Bilingual Coach: Completes all the duties of a Coach in a second language.
- Other duties as assigned.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelors’ degree preferred at hire or earned within 5 years of employment.
- Education and/or experience in Early Childhood Education preferred.
- Experience providing high-quality on-site and/or virtual customer service and adult professional development.
- Experience in program quality improvement, program planning, mentoring/coaching, assessment and curriculum development.
- State Approved MERIT/STARS trainer or the ability to apply.
DRIVING REQUIREMENTS:
- Must have a valid Washington State Drivers’ License at time of hire.
- Must submit abstract of driving record for previous 3 years upon request.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:
- Ability to work and make decisions independently; majority of work is off site.
- Ability to create and maintain timely documentation/data entry into electronic data systems such as Word and Excel.
- Strong organizational and planning stills.
- Proven ability to consistently meet monthly project goals.
- Knowledge of Early Childhood Education programs, including school districts and community resources
- Effective communication skills: Strong ability to communicate by both written and verbal communication skills, which includes active listening.
- Strong customer service and teamwork skills.
- Ability to give and receive critical feedback in a constructive manner.
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, cultural relevancy and inclusion.
Essential Employee: No
Remote Work: Job is on-site and remote
Working Conditions:
Work is generally performed Work is performed in a fast–paced office, virtual and field environments with frequent interruptions and occasional crisis situations. Travel/Driving is required throughout the region and occasionally within the state. Work hours often include evenings and weekends.
Benefits@Opportunity Council
Opportunity Council offers the following benefits to eligible employees:
- Paid time off earned on an accrual basis (vacation, sick, personal holidays)
- Paid time off for wellness needs
- Employer-paid holidays (13 in 2023)
- Employer-paid HDHP and low-cost traditional health care options
- HSA and FSA, subject to plan terms
- Eligibility for Critical Illness coverage
- 403(b) retirement plan (5% employer contribution)
- Eligibility for health coverage for legal dependents
- Eligibility for employee/family dental and vision coverage
- Voluntary benefits such as life insurance, long-term disability, long-term care and personal legal services
Opportunity Council is a private, non-profit Community Action Agency serving homeless and low-income families and individuals. Our mission is to help people improve their lives through education, support, and direct assistance while advocating for just and equitable communities. For over50 years we have offered a broad scope of services that range from addressing immediate and crisis-oriented needs (food, emergency shelter,eviction-prevention) to longer-term programs that promote self-sufficiency in our community (early childhood education, home weatherization). For more details, please visit our website at https://www.oppco.org.
