Early Childhood Education (ECE) Quality Consultant

Early Childhood Education (ECE) Quality Consultant

Description:

The Early Childhood Education (ECE) Quality Consultant position is a full-time hourly position reporting to the Program Director, to support the ongoing implementation of a variety of in-house and contracted early literacy and early care and education technical assistance and consulting activities of the Bladen Smart Start - A Partnership for Children, Inc. (BSS)

General duties include planning, orientation and technical assistance delivery (to grantees/contractors and participants), administration, fiscal accountability, monitoring, data collection, and evaluation reporting. Work to serve children and families by providing technical assistance, training, and/or services to the child care community and families. Work includes, but is not limited to, the development of technical assistance plans, training presentations, the provision of ongoing consultation and support to child care providers, and involvement, as appropriate, in community activities related to early care and education.

The hours will be varied and may include some weekend events, evening/overnight meetings and/or conferences requiring in-state travel.

Literacy Activity (RAR &DPIL) Responsibilities:

1. Administers and coordinates the Raising A Reader (RAR) program, including periodic usage of the RAR Online Affiliate Network (OAN), cleaning & organizing book bags and implementer materials, and supporting the collection & processing of program surveys and site reports.

2. Serves as the primary day-to-day contact for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library (DPIL) program, including daily management of and interaction with the online Book Ordering System (BOS) database(s) provided by the Dollywood Foundation to DPIL Affiliates.

3. Maintains communication and positive relationships with area Postmasters. Picks up undeliverable DPIL books on an as needed basis. Attempts to contact the intended recipient(s) & updates any change of address information. Prepares books for redistribution, as appropriate.

4. Maintains communication & positive relationships with RAR site administrators, implementors, and families.

5. Coordinate and facilitate family engagement activities, including orientations and informational sessions, to introduce early childhood education professionals and families to the RAR program and encourage active participation.

6. Conduct monthly monitoring and support visits with RAR implementors to review book rotation logs, assess program implementation, address challenges, and ensure program fidelity.

7. Provide ongoing technical assistance, coaching, and family engagement resources to participating sites to strengthen implementation quality and promote literacy-focused family involvement.

8. Ensures overall model fidelity for each early literacy program according to their individual standards and maintains personal training/certification required by each funded evidence-based program.

9. Completion of all RAR coordinator training is mandatory.

10. Orders and maintains needed inventory of all RAR and DPIL (and other early literacy outreach related) books, materials and supplies.

11. Maintains positive relationships with local early care & education teachers/administrators, public library representatives, and other community partners. Collaborates on early literacy projects, as appropriate.

12. Collaborate with the BSS Executive Director to maximize the annual literacy activity budgets and to ensure future sources of program funding. Assists in the preparation of project and grant proposals as directed by the Executive Director.

13. Assures that all funded literacy activities (in-house and contracted) are carried out in a fiscally responsible manner with appropriate documentation and reporting.

14. Assists the Program Director with maintaining and reporting all data for evaluation purposes.

15. Participates in local and statewide early literacy program planning and evaluation efforts; Attends meetings and trainings, as required.

16. Initiates opportunities to enhance community awareness and education related to partnership early literacy activities. Plans and implements community outreach efforts; Organizes BSS’s participation in appropriate local community events.

Early Care and Education Technical Assistance and Consulting Activity Responsibilities:

1. Provide intensive, on-site support services to early educators to promote high-quality services, which may include teaching classroom strategies, and management techniques, classroom arrangement, review of personnel policies and parent handbooks, licensure status review and application assistance, coaching to aid in the development of social/emotional skills on children, etc.

2. Administer practice assessments using the Environment Rating Scales or other appropriate tools;

3. Serve as a liaison with the Division of Child Development and Early Education, Environmental Health, and the North Carolina Rated License Assessment Project to facilitate the child care facilities’ understanding of rules and standards;

4. Respond to and/or research data related to customer’s request for information or services, making referrals and preparing follow-up information in a timely manner;

5. Maintain database and/or documentation of services provided ensuring confidentiality when necessary;

6. Research, develop and implement trainings for early educators;

7. Participate in community collaboratives;

8. Provides additional support to accomplish BSS goals & strategies through other duties, as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

· General knowledge of social and economic conditions of Bladen County.

· Familiar with early literacy programs/best practices.

· Knowledge of local child/family resources, a plus.

· Superior organizational skills

· Possesses the initiative to work independently, able to plan/execute tasks with minimal direct supervision.

· Able to establish and maintain a good rapport and effective working relationships with local agency representatives, child care providers, families, the business/industry community and the general public.

· Able to communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in written form.

Qualifications:

· Associates degree required; bachelor’s degree preferred in child development, early childhood education, human services or business administration, or a closely related field. A minimum of three years paid experience working with children birth to age five and their families is preferred. An equivalent combination of relevant education and professional experience may be considered in lieu of the preferred qualifications. Experience as an administrator and adult educator a plus. Training in and/or knowledge of the Environment Rating Scales, trauma informed practices, and NC DCDEE Licensing laws and rules are highly desirable.

· Strong listening and oral/written communication skills, (Bilingual, a plus).

· Must be willing to become trained/certified in specific evidence-based programs (Pre-Licensing Training, ITS-SIDS, Playground Safety, Emergency Preparedness and Response), as needed.

· Must be proficient with computers/technology (E.g. Microsoft Office, email, internet, social media) and familiar with the use of standard office equipment (photocopier, laminator, etc.)

Salary and Benefits:

· Pay based on education and experience. (Range: $30,000. $35,000)

· Benefits include paid employee major medical, dental & vision, paid vacation, holiday and sick/personal leave, and parental involvement leave.

· Employee is responsible for his/her own transportation (reimbursement for work-related travel provided on a per mile/per diem basis).

Pay: $14.42 - $16.82 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $14 - $17