Job Description

You can do the work you love, be your authentic self, and make an impact in the lives of thousands. We believe in a culture rooted in community, collaboration, and growth. As an agency we are inspired by our Mission of bringing hope to life, especially those most in need.

Wage: $21.00 - $28.00

Scheduled Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 am to 5 pm

Benefits:

• Medical/Dental
• FSA
• 403(b) Retirement
• Additional Voluntary Benefits
• Paid Holidays
• Vacation/Sick Leave
• Education Assistance Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Longevity awards

Position Summary:

The Early Learning Specialist supports the overall mission and vision of Catholic Charities and the Child Care Aware of Central Washington program. This position will be responsible for providing focused consultation and technical assistance to Early Achievers participants as well as facilitation, education and resource connection to Family, Friend and Neighbor participants through community play and learn groups. All activity will follow the service delivery areas and contract requirements aligning with The Department of Children, Youth and Families, QRIS Birth to Three Quality Initiatives and Child Care Aware Early Achievers, as well as all other contracts secured by Catholic Charities organization on behalf of early learning systems. 

Responsibilities:

Specific Responsibilities of the Early Learning Specialist include, but may not be limited to:

• Establish and nurture collaborative relationships with child care providers, community partners and colleagues.
• Provide observations/assessment, consultative support and referral to individual childcare leadership and staff, to enhance quality improvement in the specialty areas of; early childhood growth and development, health and safety, behavior, teacher and child interaction, learning environment, FIND, UDS and leadership/management practices. 
• Provide culturally relevant and inclusive technical assistance and enhanced trainings to licensed child care providers in person, by email, and over the phone.
• Collaborate with Early Achiever staff to reinforce and assist licensed center and family child care providers as they progress within the Early Achievers program. 
• Reinforce best practices for the FIND model, Environmental Rating Scales (ERS) and Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS), UDS (Ages & Stages), Pyramid Model, Practice Based Coaching Model based on referral requests and in alignment with, the Early Achiever framework.
• Obtain/maintain: MERIT State- Trainer Approval and reliability in relevant tools to include but not limited to: Play & Learn 101, ERS, CLASS, FIND, ASQ-3 and ASQ:SE2 and WA-AIMH Endorsement within three months of employment for the purpose of offering professional development trainings to early learning professionals. 
• Manage a caseload of referred childcare providers within but not limited to the DCYF, QRIS Birth to Three Quality Initiatives and other Early Childhood Consultation projects 
• Work in collaboration with the Early Learning and Family Engagement team to create an equitable system of services and opportunity to early learning professionals and families in Central Washington.
• Facilitate FFN groups as assigned with fidelity in collaboration and implementation of all current and future Play & Learn Groups.
• Collaborate on the Early Learning and Family Engagement team for design, development, and implementation of projects as assigned. 
• Support development of play groups by consistent communication and exchange of knowledge, ideas and lessons learned with other facilitators in program.
• Marketing: develop, plan and support communication of Family Friend & Neighbor activities to increase community awareness and participation. 
• Maintain confidential records, complete data and inventory tracking using a variety of electronic systems, ensuring Quality Assurance Standards within projects assigned. 
• Represent Catholic Charities Serving Central Washington in the community as needed.
• Have access to an insured personal vehicle and cell phone for business related activities.
• Abide by Washington State law as a mandatory reporter of child abuse and neglect.

Perform other duties as assigned

Job Requirements:

The following requirements are those that are normally required for performance of this position. Any disabled applicant or incumbent who does not meet one or more of the requirements, but who can perform the essential function of the job (with or without reasonable accommodations) shall be deemed to meet these requirements.

Physical Requirements:

This position normally requires the physical demands of standing, walking, bending, lifting or performing other work requiring low physical exertion, as well as keyboard fingering, talking, hearing and adequate vision on a regular basis to perform the job requirements. These physical demands are required up to 90% of the time. 

Non-Physical Requirements:

Education:

• Bachelor of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education, Business Human Services or a related field and 2 years related work experience ; Or must begin the process of obtaining a degree within 6 months hire.
• Masters Degree, preferred

Experience:

• Five years demonstrated experience in Early Childhood Education or related field.

Special Skills:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and self-motivate; work is primarily off-site.
• Be available to work evenings and weekends as needed and requested by your supervisor.
• Knowledge of professional development opportunities and resources for early care and education professionals.
• Demonstrated reflective practice skills with the ability to give and receive feedback.
• Ability to work in a team environment.
• Value all people, their family culture, heritage, language and beliefs.
• Maintain professional working relationships with child care providers, community partners, colleagues, and program stakeholders.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, especially Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Aptitude for learning new software programs and technology.
• Maintain confidentiality according to professional standards.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) Required.

Licensure, Registration, Certification:

• Valid Washington State drivers license and minimum required liability insurance for WA State.
• Must be deemed insurable as determined by Catholic Charities' liability insurance provider.

Desired Qualifications:

• Knowledge of service delivery area and resources.
• Demonstrated ability to present early learning and agency program information formally and informally to large and small groups.
• Knowledge of the Environmental Rating Scales (ERS) and the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS), Ages and Stages Developmental Screening (ASQ-3, ASQ-S2), and other early childhood assessments.
• Knowledge of early learning curricula such as Creative Curriculum/Teaching Strategies Gold.
• Connection and collaboration with WA State Department of Early Learning initiatives such as: WA KIDS; P-3 Alignment; Regional Early Learning Coalitions; Early Support for Infants-Toddlers; Head Start, ECEAP/WA Preschool; Universal Developmental Screening; and other early childhood work.

Employment is conditional upon:

Being cleared by criminal background check and fingerprinting when required

Catholic Charities Serving Central Washington provides help and creates hope for thousands of people each year regardless of religious, social, or economic backgrounds. Though serving the outreach efforts of the Diocese of Yakima, Catholic Charities is a separate 501(c)3 charitable organization, funded in part by the State of Washington, federal contracts, the United Way, fees for service, grants, foundations, and charitable contributions. While rooted in a Catholic tradition that shapes its core mission of service to all, staff do not need to be Catholic to work for Catholic Charities. We serve all in the community, regardless of faith, race, gender, social class, or economic status. With office locations in Yakima, Wenatchee, Richland, Moses Lake, and Sunnyside, as well as our multi-family housing sites across Central Washington, we serve nearly 50,000 people annually. The agency remains a testimony to its ongoing mission of “Bringing Hope to Life.”

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