Continuous Quality Improvement Specialist

General Responsibilities Under the direction of an ECE Manager, the Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Specialist will support high quality instructional leadership practices in both home-bases programs and early childhood centers, serving children across a range of ages as well as programs. The CQI Specialist will work with members of the extended leadership team and the ECE partner staffing agency to strengthen high quality early childhood education by providing on-site, job-embedded professional development and technical assistance to Center Directors and classroom staff. The CQI Specialist plays a key role in building organizational capacity at the center and classroom level to think deeply about critical issues and implement strengths-based, innovative solutions that meet the needs of enrolled children and families using an equity and trauma-informed lens. Salary: The full range for this position is $49,670.03 ($25.87 per hour) - $60,441.15 ($31.48 per hour). Offers are made at the entry level of the range. Assignment: This position will work full-time, 240 days per year. The CQI Specialist in this role will work with pre-K ECEAP teachers. The position requires a criminal history check and fingerprint check through the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF), a health exam and TB test, and proof of MMR immunity prior to starting. Essential Functions/Other Functions Essential Functions:

1. Collaborate with team members to support initial orientations and on-boarding, as well as on-going training, as needed.
2. Provide a variety of job-embedded professional learning experiences for staff including reflective practice, training, coaching and mentoring.
3. Work as part of a team to ensure compliance with performance standards, regulations, policies and procedures, and contract deliverables as well as documentation and reporting.
4. Work as part of a team to analyze data to support ongoing continuous quality improvement.
5. Develop and maintain effective working relationships and foster strong home/school connections in partnership with staff, families, and community partners.
6. Work collaboratively with other program leaders to meet the needs of the individual child with concern for age, interest, abilities, special talents, cultural backgrounds and individual styles.
7. Implement a Multi-Tiered System of Support to strengthen social emotional development and self-regulation.
8. Support and model effective high-quality instructional practices for Early Head Start Education and Family Support Specialists in families' homes and/or Center Directors and classroom staff with the implementation of curriculum and assessment.
9. Support staff working with children with special needs in collaborating with families, staff and community partners to build on children's strengths and interests while helping them gain new skills.
10. Actively participate in the on-going and continuous quality improvement process by reflecting on current practices, identifying opportunities for growth, supporting staff in implementing goals, assessing impacts and re-evaluating next steps.
11. Work collaboratively to strengthen the transition process in partnership with families and staff as children prepare to move from infant/toddler care into preschool.

Other Functions:

1. Other duties as assigned, must be flexible and responsive to meet the changing needs and demands of the programs.
2. Maintain strong professional and personal boundaries.
3. Demonstrate a commitment to on-going professional learning and growth.
4. Demonstrate a commitment to equity and trauma informed practices.

Minimum/Preferred Qualifications & Skills Minimum Qualifications:

1. Bachelor's degree and one year of experience providing administrative support to an educational program OR an Associate's degree and two years of experience providing administrative support to an educational program.
2. Experience with program compliance monitoring and program data analysis.
3. Experience with Microsoft Office products and database software.
4. Understanding of Early Head Start, ECEAP and child care performance standards and regulations.
5. Experience working with low-income or at-risk populations.

Preferred Qualifications and Skills:

1. Knowledge of and experience with STARS, MERIT, and Procare (as well as ELMS, TS GOLD and ChildPlus - Birth to 5).
2. Experience working with infants, toddlers, and their families. (Birth to 3)
3. Knowledge of and experience with Early Achievers, CLASS and ERS tools. (Birth to 5)
4. Knowledge of and experience with Program Quality Assessment. (School Age)
5. Knowledge of and experience with Multi-Tiered Systems of Support.
6. Bilingual-Bicultural. (All areas)

Working Conditions/Employment Requirements Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:

1. Travel throughout the ESD service region.
2. Physical environment may include office setting, childcare, preschool programs, or community work sites.
3. Extended or flexible hours as necessary.

Employment Requirements - ESD job offer is contingent upon satisfying the following:

1. Successful completion of a portable background check and clearance through the WA State Department of Children, Youth, & Families.
2. Tuberculosis test to meet state health requirements.
3. Health Exam.
4. Proof of MMR vaccintion or exemption.

Salary : $49,670 - $60,441