LCS Pre-K/Early Childhood Support Specialist

This is a grant-funded position, 187 days, on the teacher salary scale.

Job Title: Pre-K/Early Childhood Support Specialist

Reports to: Pre-K/Early Childhood Coordinator

Receives Guidance From: Pre-K/Early Childhood Coordinator and District Administrators

Overtime Status: Compliant with position, salary, and FLSA regulations

Job Summary

The Pre-K/Early Childhood Support Specialist assists in the coordination and implementation of the administrative, instructional, and behavioral functions of the district Preschool and Parents as Teachers (PAT) programs. The specialist assists with program implementation, compliance, communication, enrollment, instructional and behavioral support, and coordination of services to ensure high-quality early childhood programming across the district.

Duties and Responsibilities: Additional duties may be assigned

• Assists with coordinating programs and services associated with the District's Preschool Program.
• Supports classroom teachers in implementing curriculum, instruction, and assessment practices.
• Assists teachers with the implementation of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), behavior intervention strategies, and developmentally appropriate classroom management practices to support student success and positive learning environments.
• Assists with coordinating preschool screening programs and related documentation.
• Communicates effectively with parents, teachers, administrators, and staff.
• Assists with maintaining accurate enrollment, attendance, and program records.
• Supports the scheduling and enrollment of preschool students.
• Works collaboratively with elementary principals and preschool staff to promote consistent programming and instructional practices.
• Assists with coordinating enrichment activities and curriculum implementation between preschool and extended care personnel.
• Provides support for professional development activities and training sessions.
• Assists with the collection, organization, and submission of district, state, and federal reports as required.
• Supports the acquisition and organization of instructional materials and program resources.
• Assists in monitoring program compliance with district, state, and federal guidelines.
• Acquires and utilizes current research and effective practices to support program development in early childhood education.
• Serves as a liaison between preschool staff, families, and community agencies as assigned.
• Maintain and accept responsibility for any district-owned fixed asset item assigned to the employee and ensure appropriate use by following district policies for acceptable use.
• Undergo periodic evaluations according to state and board policy procedures. Maintain confidentiality.
• Regular, timely/dependable, in-person attendance is an essential function of this position.
• Perform such other and not specifically enumerated duties as may be requested by the Board of Education, superintendent, administrator, director, coordinator, or established by district policy, state, or federal guidelines.Read, understand, and abide by Employee Conduct Policy, all other district policies and applicable procedures and protocols as established by LCSD, and Mississippi Educator Code of Conduct.
  
  

Qualifications

Education Level: Bachelor's degree in Education or higher, preschool or early childhood endorsement preferred

Certification: Hold an appropriate Mississippi Teaching Credential or valid emergency certification issued by the Mississippi Department of Education; 153 - Pre-Kindergarten endorsement required

Other Requirements: Required references and background checks

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, use hands for fine manipulation, handle or feel and reach with hands and arms using equipment such as a keyboard and video display terminal. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, reach, crouch or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and move up to 35 pounds and occasionally up to 75 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The work environment is not a standard office setting; but rather encompasses the entire active school campus both inside and outside the facilities. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate and occasionally high.

Note: This is not necessarily an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, functions, or working conditions associated with the job. The job description is not a contract of employment or a promise or guarantee of any specific terms or conditions of employment. The school district may add to, modify, or delete any aspect of this job (or the position itself) at any time as it deems advisable.

Terms Of Employment

Salary, days, and work year as established by the Lamar County Board of Education.

Evaluation

Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with the provisions of the Lamar County School Board policy on Evaluation of Employees.