What are the responsibilities and job description for the Child Care Environment Quality Specialist position at West Central Child Care Connection?
POSITION SUMMARY
As the Quality Specialist (QS), the individual is responsible for the technical assistance, consultation, including on-site visits, and/or training, and oversight of child care programs as they pursue the quality rating and improvement system.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Acts as the technical assistance specialist related to the Quality Recognition and Improvement System (QRIS), ExceleRate, and is available to train on specific related topics as needed for both providers and/or agency staff.
- Attends professional development training opportunities related to QRIS/ExceleRate and remains current on all aspects of the quality and rating system in Illinois. Is available for on-site consultations with programs starting the process and for follow up throughout the process.
- Makes certain that consultation information is entered accurately and timely into INCCRRA’s Data Tracking Program (DTP) /Activity Report.
- Serves as the agency representative to INCCRRA as a Quality Specialist. Attends regularly scheduled statewide meetings.
- Attends statewide, regional, or national trainings or conferences when appropriate for personal professional development.
- Quality Specialist is knowledgeable of all approved accreditation systems and available to offer technical assistance to providers with initial questions regarding accreditation, as well as mail out information and serve as a support person to those in the process. If requested can/will assist providers in locating an accreditation mentor.
- The Quality Specialist is knowledgeable and able to answer TA questions related to other professional development opportunities for providers through other entities. These include: CDA, Great START, IDC, and the Gateways to Opportunity Scholarship Program.
Performs such other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
Must meet the following minimum requirements as defined in the IDHS contract.
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in child development or early childhood education; OR A Bachelor’s degree in one of the following related fields with a minimum of 18 hours in early childhood coursework (Child Psychology/Behavioral Sciences, Family Consumer Sciences, Social Work, Elementary Education, Child Welfare, Family Services, Psychology, Sociology, Human Development)
- Minimum two (2) years paid experience working in a child care setting as a family child care provider, center-based administrator, center-based teacher or teacher assistant or Illinois Preschool for All teacher;
- Shall be an Approved Trainer for the Illinois Trainers Network (ITN) within twelve (12) months after completion of Scales training
- Working with the IDHS liaison, shall complete the following training as available:
Infant Toddler Environment Rating Scale-3 (ITERS-3);
Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale3 (ECERS-3);
Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale-R (FCCERS-R);
School Age Child Environment Rating Scale- Updated (SACERS-U);
Program Administration Scale (PAS);
Business Administration Scale (BAS);
Program quality improvement planning
A minimum test score of 80% must be achieved on each assessment scale.
No responsibility but may be designated as a supervisor. All specialists are to participate in regular meetings with other agency specialists (Quality Specialist, Mental Health Coordinator and Infant Toddler Specialist) as needed and appropriate to discuss, plan, and evaluate their individual roles and responsibilities to programs seeking quality initiatives. The person with the title of Quality Specialist Supervisor will arrange for regular specialist meetings, review on a regular schedule the data entered into DTP and have some training responsibilities with any newly hired Quality and/or Infant and Toddler Specialists.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to speak effectively before groups of providers, clients, customers or employees of the Agency.
Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, ratios, discounts, interest, proportions, and percentages to practical situations and other mathematical skills required to plan and administer budgets.
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions. Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. 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 sit and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENTThe 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.
- Office environment with moderate temperature and noise levels.