DSISD Early Childhood Specialist (ECS)

Position: Early Childhood Specialist (ECS) Contract Type: Individual 

Location/Building: DSISD Main Campus Closing Date: October 23, 2026 

Responsible To: Early Childhood Director Starting Date: ASAP

Salary and Length of Contract Year: Dependent on Experience; 195 Days

QUALIFICATIONS:  

Candidates must meet one of the Early Childhood Specialist qualification pathways identified in the current GSRP Implementation

Manual: 

• Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development and at least five years of relevant early childhood experience preferred; or
• Bachelor’s degree meeting GSRP Lead Teacher requirements and at least 10 years of relevant early childhood experience; or
• Master’s degree in a closely related field and at least five years of relevant early childhood experience, with consultation with the MiLEAP consultant prior to hire; or
• Bachelor’s degree in a closely related field and at least 10 years of relevant early childhood experience, with consultation with the MiLEAP consultant prior to hire.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the Michigan Early Childhood Standards of Quality (ECSQ), GSRP Implementation Manual, Michigan child care licensing requirements, and high-quality early childhood practices.
• Knowledge of comprehensive curriculum, child assessment, developmental screening, program evaluation, instructional coaching, and adult learning. 
• Ability to manage multiple programs and priorities, maintain accurate documentation, travel between assigned sites, and obtain and maintain required state training and Reliable Assessor/Certified Observer status. 
• Strong leadership, communication, organization, collaboration, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work independently and exercise sound professional judgment. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Early Childhood Specialist (ECS) serves as an educational leader and catalyst for continuous quality improvement within

assigned Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) classrooms. The ECS provides instructional leadership, coaching, program quality monitoring, and support to teaching teams and program administrators to promote high-quality PreK experiences and fidelity to GSRP requirements. The ECS collaborates with the Early Childhood Contact, districts, program administrators, teaching teams, families, and community partners to support program quality, continuous improvement, and positive outcomes for children and families. 

INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP & COACHING:

• Provides instructional leadership, coaching, and support to assigned GSRP teaching teams and site administrators to promote high-quality PreK instruction and fidelity to the GSRP model.
• Builds collaborative, strength-based relationships with teaching teams and uses observation, feedback, modeling, reflective conversation, and other coaching strategies to strengthen instructional practice.
• Conducts scheduled and unscheduled classroom observations to assess instructional quality, curriculum implementation, adult-child interactions, classroom environment, daily routines, and implementation of GSRP requirements. 
• Reviews observation and program evaluation findings with teaching teams, provides written and verbal feedback, and develops and monitors professional growth goals, including strategies, timelines, responsibilities, and measures of progress. 
• Visits each assigned classroom with children present a minimum of three times each school year, in addition to the formal program evaluation observation, with additional visits and support provided based on individual program needs. 
• Administers the required annual program evaluation using the designated Classroom Coach or CLASS tool in accordance with current MiLEAP requirements and maintains required Reliable Assessor/Certified Observer status. 
• Monitors and maintains required documentation of teaching team credentials, transcripts, and applicable compliance plans to support compliance with GSRP, grant, licensing, and district requirements. 
• Supports the onboarding and induction of new teaching staff and program directors through orientation, professional learning, coaching, additional classroom visits, and ongoing feedback. 
• Maintains required documentation of classroom observations, coaching, feedback, professional growth goals, and follow-up activities. 

CONTINUOUS QUALITY IMPROVEMENT & PROGRAM EVALUATION:

• Uses program evaluation results, child assessment data, classroom observations, and other relevant information to identify program strengths, needs, and improvement priorities.
• Collaborates with teaching teams, program administrators, and the Early Childhood Contact to develop, implement, and monitor continuous improvement goals and strategies.
• Supports teaching teams in using child assessment data to inform instruction, lesson planning, small-group and individualized support, and family partnerships.
• Monitors progress toward identified improvement goals and adjusts strategies and supports as needed.
• Collaborates with advisory committees and appropriate stakeholders to support program-wide continuous improvement and communicate program quality and progress.

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT:

• Designs and implements annual, data-driven professional learning calendars for teaching teams, aligned with the Early Childhood Standards of Quality (ECSQ) and approved curricula.
• Provides training, modeling, resources, and other support to strengthen implementation of curriculum, child assessment, family engagement, inclusion, transitions, and other GSRP requirements.
• Leads the School Readiness Advisory Council (SRAC) in partnership with the Early Childhood Contact to support collaboration, community engagement, and continuous improvement across GSRP programs.
• Supports teaching teams and program administrators in developing effective family partnerships and transition practices and connecting families with appropriate resources and services.
• Monitors and documents family engagement practices to ensure alignment with GSRP.
• Supports teaching teams in developing and implementing transition plans for children entering kindergarten and in building active, reciprocal partnerships with families.

PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION AND COORDINATION:

• Serves as the primary point of contact between district administration and assigned subrecipient programs for GSRP implementation and provides guidance related to staffing ratios, curriculum, licensing, assessment, resources, and other program requirements.
• Monitors assigned programs for implementation of GSRP, grant, licensing, curriculum, assessment, and district requirements.
• Supports accurate and timely completion of required program documentation, evaluation, reporting, and data collection.
• Connects programs with relevant state and regional resources, including MiRegistry, Resource Centers, Great Start to Quality, and resources supporting alignment and transitions to K–12.
• Collaborates with program administrators, the Early Childhood Contact, MiLEAP, and other partners to address program needs, support implementation, and strengthen program quality.
• Participates in regional and state early childhood meetings, professional learning, and monitoring activities and shares relevant information and resources with assigned programs.
• Travels regularly to assigned GSRP sites and other locations as needed to provide coaching, professional learning, program support, and participate in required meetings and activities.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Director of Early Childhood and Superintendent.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Office space provided. Frequent travel to classroom and program sites required; valid driver’s license and reliable transportation necessary.
• Position requires some weekend, evening, or early morning attendance (advisory committees, professional learning sessions, community events).
• Must maintain confidentiality and discretion in handling personnel and program data.