Infant & Toddler Specialist

Infant/Toddler Specialist, Childcare Resources and Referral

Salary: $42,000.00

Southeastern Oklahoma State University’s Childcare Resource and Referral Department invites applications for the position of Infant/Toddler Specialist.

SUMMARY
Reports to the Director of Child Care Resource & Referral, under the Student Affairs Division of Southeastern Oklahoma State University. The Resource and Referral Infant/Toddler Specialist will provide technical assistance or coaching, offer support to childcare programs serving infants and toddlers, and will work in collaboration with licensing specialists and other community agency staff working with childcare providers to improve the quality and availability of childcare. The position will also conduct training as it relates to strengthening the quality of the childcare system in the Southeast Region Service Delivery Area (SDA). This is a full-time position, and travel is required. The position is grant funded with full benefits financed through the Department of Human Services, Division of Child Care, and the Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide coaching and technical assistance (TA) to childcare providers on infant toddler child development, infant toddler care difficulties, developmentally appropriate practices, The Pyramid Model Practices, and other topics determined upon program visits.

• Annually meet Infant Toddler goals defined and set forth by the granting agency, Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness (OPSR).

• Establish positive working relationships to include but not limited to, SECCR&R Staff, OPSRF Staff, Regional Infant Toddler Coaches, Infant Toddler Classroom Teachers, and community agencies that serve infants and toddlers.

• Works cooperatively and effectively as a team member by communicating and contributing information on a continuous basis.

• Effectively communicate with the SECCR&R Program Director about progress of projects and all complications that arise.

• Serve on community coalitions to include, but not limited to quarterly SE Partners Meetings.

• Promote community awareness and involvement in the field of early childhood education by attending and participating in family events/early care and education events throughout the service delivery area to include health fairs, baby fairs, provider conferences, etc.

• Foster partnerships with individuals from other community agencies that serve infants and toddlers.

• Provide training for childcare providers in SDA.

• Must be able to travel throughout the region, including overnight and/or on weekends.

• Participate in staff meetings and all other trainings required for position.

• Maintain a working knowledge of the childcare resources available to providers.

• Update Worklife Systems (WLS) database with TA and coaching information, for those programs currently being served in a one-on-one capacity. Also record contact made with community organizations, ECE Professionals, attendance at community or ECE events, general provider questions, and any other documentation needed to meet OPSR contract requirements.

• Assist in contacting all providers every six months to update information in the WLS database.

• Submit at least one Infant Toddler focused article to Program Director for quarterly newsletter.

• Regularly contribute Infant Toddler focused social media content to keep childcare providers abreast of industry information regarding best practices, policies and procedures, quality improvement for Stars, emergency preparedness, caregiver/child interaction, health and safety, etc. via social media (Facebook, Pinterest, Remind, Twitter), email and/or print communication.

• Provide data and monthly activity report to Director for quarterly reporting.

• Treat all information pertaining to childcare providers and children in a confidential manner.

• Identify needed areas of self-improvement and actively pursues appropriate means and methods to increase effectiveness in those areas.

• Other duties as assigned, by the Program Director, to meet position objectives and to support the Regional Network.

ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES (FUNCTIONS, DUTIES)

Attendance and Dependability: The employee can be depended upon to report to the assigned duty station at the scheduled time. Employee can be depended upon to complete work in a timely, accurate, and thorough manner and is conscientious, about assignments.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• A bachelor's degree in early childhood, education, or a related field, or equivalent work experience, and a bachelor's degree in another field.

• Organization, written and oral communication skills.

• Strong interpersonal skills.

• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team.

• Valid driver’s license, valid automobile insurance and own vehicle to use for work.

• Ability to collect and record data with computer word processing and spreadsheet skills.

• Willing to travel extensively within region.

• Flexible with work schedule, as occasional meetings and special events will take place in the evenings or on weekends.

PREFERRED:

• One-year experience with infant/toddler childcare.

• Experience delivering professional development opportunities.

• Experience providing one-to-one, in-person technical assistance.

Founded in 1909 as a teachers’ college, Southeastern Oklahoma State University continues the strong tradition of producing outstanding educators for southeast Oklahoma and north Texas. Student enrollment is approximately 6,000 students and the campus is situated in rural Oklahoma. The main campus located in Durant, Oklahoma, which is 90 miles north of Dallas, Texas, and 150 miles southeast of Oklahoma City. The community is close to Lake Texoma and the Choctaw Casino Resort. Southeastern Oklahoma State University continues to be among the nation’s most affordable universities according to the U. S. News & World Report’s America’s Best colleges.

Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. The preferred start date is December 1, 2026. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until filled.

Southeastern offers a comprehensive benefits package including university paid health, vision, life insurance, long term disability, retirement contributions to Oklahoma Teachers Retirement System, as well as a tuition waiver for employees and spouse/dependents who wish to enroll at Southeastern. Southeastern offers 25 paid holidays per fiscal year and has a generous leave package including annual/vacation leave, sick leave, personal leave, and birthday leave. In addition to the SE paid benefits, there are many voluntary products available to employees such as 403(b), Health Savings Account, Flexible Spending Account, dental, short term disability, dependent life insurance and a variety of ancillary benefits.

Employment is contingent upon the results of a national criminal and sex offender background check. Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States. SE participates in E-Verify.

SE is an AA/EEO employer committed to multicultural diversity.