Quality Assurance Specialist

About our organization

Since 1981, Options for Learning has been at the forefront of helping families break the cycle of poverty and improve their lives by providing tools to create a positive foundation for school, social, and life success. Our dedicated and passionate employees have helped our organization become one of Southern California’s most innovative and progressive child development organizations, serving nearly 9,000 children throughout the San Gabriel Valley.

About this position

The Quality Assurance Specialist works to establish a culture of excellence and compliance in relation to the program services the organization provides and to support the growth and development of children and families in our Head Start and Early Head Start programs. Additionally, a core function of this position is the implementation of federal regulations, policies, and procedures through ongoing comprehensive review, monitoring, data analysis, identifying areas of enhancement,?and follow-up support.

The Quality Assurance Specialist will be committed to the continuous quality improvement of the Head Start and Early Head Start program by ensuring the programs meet or exceed performance standards and adhere to other relevant regulations.

What you’ll be doing

• Assisting the compliance manager with monitoring of funding requirements;
• Performing audits and reviews of all Head Start systems and reporting findings to the compliance manager and director of Head Start;
• Performing field monitoring, evaluations, and follow-up reviews;
• Developing corrective action plans when non-compliant areas are identified during internal audits/reviews;?
• Assisting in training staff to prepare for audits/reviews or to correct problems encountered during an audit;
• Maintaining annual calendar and schedule of required reports, including required training for staff, policy council, board of directors, and others;
• Maintaining health and safety data reports, such as Community Care Licensing Reports, unusual incident reports, parent complaints/concerns, suspected child abuse reporting, and other related reports;
• Providing detailed reports that indicate areas of non-compliance and deficiencies according to applicable protocols and performance evaluation standards;
• Monitoring the Early Head Start/Head Start program goals, including school readiness goals and objectives;
• Developing ongoing monitoring systems, standards, instruments, and procedures aligned to Head Start performance standards;
• Submitting monthly reports to the director of Head Start related to monitoring analysis and compliance reports, detailing monitoring onsite observations, non-compliance areas, and action plans;
• Staying current with areas for best practices and system improvements to be implemented by the Head Start program;
• Maintaining a thorough knowledge of Head Start policies and procedures, changes and updates to federal, state, and local regulations;
• Assisting with Policy Council meetings;
• Offering training and technical assistance to Early Learning management and staff to enhance the quality of the program;
• Maintaining confidentiality of all information regarding children, families, and staff;
• Attending all required staff meetings, trainings, workshops, and conferences;
• Participating in Head Start monitoring reviews;
• Assisting with special projects and other duties as assigned.

What you bring to the table

• Associate’s degree in child development, education, or a related field;
• A minimum of one year of working in Head Start program monitoring and evaluation;
• CLASS certification;
• Current certification in pediatric CPR, pediatric first aid, and preventive health that is acceptable to community care licensing (Health and Safety code 1596.866);
• Experience with early childhood programs serving children ages 0-5;
• Knowledge of Head Start program performance standards, Department of Children and Families (DCFS) guidelines, Community Care Licensing, and other related regulations;
• Ability to effectively communicate in written and oral English;
• Basic computer skills;
• Excellent organizational, time management, leadership, and problem-solving skills;
• A California driver’s license, daily use of an automobile, and automobile liability insurance.

What we can offer you

• Medical/dental/vision for part- and full-time employees (organization pays up to 90% of employee's premiums; prorated for part-time);
• Organization-paid and matching retirement plan;
• Professional growth opportunities, including free child development courses and college reimbursement;
• Generous and flexible PTO;
• Dedicated, mission-driven colleagues, and much more!

Job specifications

• Reports to the Quality Assurance monitor;
• Full-time, 12-month work year;
• Eight-hour workday;
• Opportunity for hybrid-work schedule may be available and to be determined by management;
• Limited evening or weekend hours may be required;
• Employment, responsibilities, compensation, and other factors may be affected by changes in governmental regulations, the organization’s contracts, or at the organization’s discretion.

Salary

• $24.00 to $27.00 per hour