Childhood Specialist

Job Description:

The Childhood Specialist will be responsible for providing high-quality early childhood programming to young children within a fully mobile learning environment. They will deliver Colors of Kindness Curriculum, and Playspace programming, teach, facilitate play, and model exemplary lessons for vulnerable children living in motel shelters. This role involves creating a nurturing and safe environment conducive to learning while traveling to different shelter-based programs serving non-English speaking communities experiencing homelessness, who may not have access to early childhood experiences. The Early Childhood Specialist must be adaptable, creative, and have strong interpersonal skills to engage both children and parents effectively. The ideal candidate will use their passion for improving children's lives to foster their well-being and educational opportunities through comprehensive programming and commitment to high-quality attention and care.

About the Initiative:

Amal Alliance, Horizons for Homeless, and Neighborhood Villages together are piloting a Mobile Learning initiative to provide a coordinated systematic approach for supporting under-school-age children who have recently arrived in the US by providing a combination of coordinated services, social and emotional programming, and a safe, developmentally appropriate space to children and families. The goal of the Mobile Learning Initiative is to meet families where they are, learn about their needs and connect them with the resources that can get their children acclimated to life in the US. By focusing on a specific catchment zone, the Mobile Learning program will consist of a staffed Horizons playspace and two mobile learning buses that will provide access to developmentally appropriate and trauma-informed social and emotional learning and play experiences to support their health and well-being by traveling to different shelter-based programs within a small geographic area.

Roles & Responsibilities:

● Facilitate educational sessions for children ages 0-2 and 3-5, focusing on Colors of Kindness curriculum and Playspace programming.

● Conduct Colors of Kindness methodology and activities with children.

● Monitor learner progress, identify challenges, and support overall goals.

● Ensure the mobile learning environment is clean, equipment is stored properly, and resources are managed effectively.

● Facilitate training and awareness sessions.

● Track attendance, enter implementation log, and submit M&E for sessions. Review and offer feedback on administrative policies and procedures.

● Assist in obtaining consent from families for participation in research aspects of Mobile Learning and provide external researchers with relevant data.

● Communicate with all related entities and partners to foster positive relationships for other duties as requested.

Qualifications:

Ideal candidates will hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or closely related field (master's degree preferred), and have experience in regulated early care, preschool, or education.

● Be able and willing to drive a school bus (Commercial Driver's License is not needed)

○ Valid driver's license with clean driving record

● Demonstrate strong communication, social, and organizational skills, with the ability to present ideas clearly and effectively to a group.

● Be fluent in English with Haitian Creole & Spanish language skills as a plus.

● Show cultural sensitivity and be able to relate to individuals of all ethnic social and economic backgrounds

● Attention to detail with strong reporting and analytical skills

● Team Oriented disposition

● Maintain professionalism both internally and externally through actions and behaviors

● Maintain a neat and professional appearance at all times and wear a uniform

● Display enjoyment in the performance of job responsibilities and interactions with children, families, staff, and visitors

● Understand and appropriately respond to the needs of other staff, parents, children, visitors.

● Communicate effectively.

● Must be able to lift 50 pounds.

● Need to be technologically proficient to track programmatic data through pre-, mid, and post-surveys.

● Be willing to travel on the mobile bus to various locations statewide.

● Must possess a good record of with no history of abuse or crimes.

Term, Commitment, & Mobile Working Conditions:

● The candidate will serve 12 Months and report to the Ops Manager and Director of Mobile Learning.

● The individual agrees to abide by the vision and goals of Amal Alliance, including all Protection Against Sexual Violence and Exploitation (PSEA) and safeguarding policies.

● Candidates will report to the Marlborough Hub to depart to assigned sites for each day of the week on the bus.

About Employer:

Amal Alliance is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) dedicated to empowering displaced and disenfranchised children through education and social development programs around the globe in both informal and formal education settings. We are an equal-opportunity employer and strongly encourage all social groups to apply.

Compensation and Benefits:

Amal Alliance is committed to providing competitive compensation and benefits commensurate with the professional qualifications and responsibilities of its staff. The annual salary for this position is $70,000.

Amal Alliance does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, homelessness, or military status. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all team members.