Early Childhood Professional Development Advisor-Early Childhood (Bilingual Somali/English Speaking)

ORGANIZATION SUMMARY:
Think Small, Minnesota’s leader in early learning, is dedicated to advancing early childhood care and education. We are still committed to the principles that gave rise to our organization nearly 50 years ago - that the quality of a child's early experiences greatly influences his or her success later in life and that there is much that can be done to improve the quality of early childhood settings to optimize a child's development.

The Professional Development Advisor -Bilingual Somali/English Speaking position supports educators and childcare programs during their career with multiple areas of professional development training guidance. PDAs provide information about training needed for licensing, career planning, and quality improvement through pathways to credentials (such as the CDA), transfer pathways, higher education, and Parent Aware training requirements. PDAs develop community partnerships and relationships that enhance professional development opportunities.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide advising to programs currently participating or considering participating in Building Quality, Parent Aware and Quality Improvement Support
• Analyze learning records and recommend training that supports a career pathway and meets the Parent Aware requirements
• Facilitate a career planning discussion with educators to help them create a professional development plan with actionable steps.
• Ensure Somali speaking participants are engaged and understand the professional development process. Provide bilingual needs at various sites and provide communication in written and oral English and Somali language.
• Provide advising on the Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential, MN Infant Toddler CDA Credential, information on English/Somali classrooms for English/Somali Language Learners and those seeking options for completing a high school diploma or GED and higher education degree programs and the Achieve-Minnesota Center for Professional Development virtual career guide
• Provide information about Parent Aware, Child Care Aware of MN, DHS, MNCDA, Knowledge Competency Framework, Trainings in Develop and Eager To Learn, and Career Lattice.
• Recruit candidates for Learning Communities
• Provide information on financial assistance options for continuing education

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, School-age Care, or bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 6 college credits in courses related to early childhood. Career Lattice step 10b or higher required.
• Knowledge of child development, early learning standards, and community resources
• Fluency in Somali and English/Somali (speaking, reading, and writing)
• Ability to establish and maintain reflective and trusting relationships across all levels and to plan, organize and prioritize work
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; goal setting skills and business acumen
• Demonstrate ability to form and maintain collaborations among community partners and stakeholders

• Advising skills or past experience in career advising
• Experience working with diverse populations
• Self-starter, motivated, flexible, and professional
• Working knowledge of basic MS Office programs (Outlook, Word, Excel)
• Occasional evenings, and potential for infrequent Saturday hours
• Transportation needed traveling to and from work and for occasional work meetings off site.
• This position is a hybrid position, with scheduled days working in-office and working from home each month.
• Meet and maintain the requirements for Professional Development Advisor and Relationship Based Professional Development Specialist, as outlined by Achieve -Minnesota Center for Professional Development

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

This position is available immediately.

The Salary range for this position is: $54,000-$60,000 per year for this position and a unique benefit package which includes:

• Medical, dental, short- and long-term disability, life, vision, pet, disability, critical illness and long-term care insurance; medical and dependent care flex, HSA, legal and ID protection plans.
• Pre-tax and ROTH 401k with employer match.
• 23 days of sick/vacation time earned the first year PLUS 9 scheduled holidays and 4 floating holidays for those whose needs don’t conform to the federal holiday calendar.
• We recently introduced 2 new-parent benefits – 6 weeks paid parental leave and infants-at-work program (available after 1 year of employment.)

Think Small is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.