Professional Development Specialist

Salary: $58,790/year

POSITION:PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST

IMMEDIATE

SUPERVISOR:Head Start Director

 

SUPERVISES:            N/A

 

CLASSIFICATION:       Exempt 

                                   

GENERAL SUMMARY:

The Professional Development Specialist is responsible for the implementation of the Absaroka, Inc. Head Start coaching program in addition to providing staff with a variety of professional development. This position is also responsible for the creation and execution of professional development plans for all center staff.

 

     QUALIFICATIONS:

Baccalaureate or advanced degree in Early Childhood Education*; or

 

Baccalaureate or advanced degree in a related or non-related field, with coursework equivalent to a major relating to early childhood education, with experience teaching preschool-age children*.

*An associate degree in early childhood education may be accepted on the condition that the employee is enrolled in a degree program towards their bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. Must complete degree within 24 months of hire.

 

Minimum of one (1) year experience in Head Start required.

 

Minimum of one (1) year supervisory/managerial experience required.

REQUIREMENTS:

      Individuals must be able to successfully perform the following essential duties. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 

LICENSES OR CERTIFICATES:

• Current certification in Pediatric and Adult First Aid and CPR within 180 days of employment.
• Must have dependable, insured transportation, a valid Wyoming Driver’s License and acceptable driving record.
• Must pass an initial and periodic health screening and TB clearance.

• Must obtain current certification in all Wyoming Department of Family Services Child Care required trainings.
• Must become Certified Reliable with the CLASS tool and maintain current certification.

 

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Wyoming Department of Family Services child day care licensing requirements.
• Head Start Performance Standards, Head Start Act, Absaroka, Inc. Policies and Procedures.
• High Scope Curriculum, Head Start Early Learning Framework, and the Head Start Family Framework.
• Adult learning styles and principles of coaching and professional development.

 

ABILITY TO:

• Demonstrate strong leadership, organizational, and management skills.
• Negotiate and resolve conflicts, observe, and objectively record behaviors and possess good listening skills.
• Interpret and make decisions in accordance with laws, regulations, and policies.
• Adjust standard operating procedures as necessary to improve organizational effectiveness.
• Assist in training and motivating Center staff, to include coaching and mentoring.
• Clearly and concisely communicate, both orally and in writing.
• Work effectively with adults and children from diverse backgrounds, cultures, languages, ethnicities, experiences, abilities, and temperaments.
• Conceptualize, develop, organize, and implement plans, reports, budgets, meetings, etc.

• Use a computer to collect, record, retrieve data and prepare reports.
• Engage in ongoing assessment of the quality of services provided; develop strategies to improve services.

 

 

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be dedicated to the goals and philosophy of Absaroka, Inc.

• Required to travel between assigned Centers weekly and to the Administration office a minimum of one scheduled day (Wednesday) per week.
• Work a non-traditional schedule when necessary to fulfill job duties.
• Required to occasionally travel out of county and out of the state.
• Attend pre- and in-service trainings and other trainings as required.

• Must use reasonable precautions in the performance of one’s duties and adhere to all applicable safety rules and practices; and act in such a manner as to assure at all times maximum safety to oneself, fellow employees, clients, and children.\\

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

LEADERSHIP:

1. Model appropriate professional dress, appearance, personal hygiene and professionalism per Personnel Policies and Procedures.
2. Maintain and ensure staff and volunteers maintain confidentiality of staff, parent, child, client, community, and agency information included in files, conversations, meetings, correspondence, or any other source.
3. Work as a team member to support the functions and operations of Absaroka, Inc.
4. Engage in personal and professional development through college coursework and training.
5. Responsible for setting priorities and meeting deadlines.

 

 

CLASSROOM OBSERVATIONS:

1. Conducts ongoing classroom observations using the CLASS instrument.
2. Conduct engagement classroom observations as needed.

 

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:

1. Complete new-hire orientation for all new staff.
2. Work with teaching staff and Family & Health Service Aides to create an individualized professional development plan.
3. Provide training or assist in finding training for staff per their professional development plan.
4. Follow-up on a regular basis to ensure staff are meeting professional development goals.
5. Complete Education Plans as needed for center staff and ensure follow-up on timelines for plans.

 

COACHING (TLC/Expert/CoP):

1. Acts as the Coach for the teaching staff at assigned centers and is fully responsible for implementation of the Absaroka, Inc. Head Start coaching program to include:

 

1. Observing teaching staff to gather data for coaching/mentoring purposes.
2. Reflecting on and sharing feedback about teaching practices
3. Uses Teaching Strategies/Creative Curriculum, Pyramid Model, Teachstone/CLASS observation tool in coaching to fidelity of each tool.

 

1. Participate in bi-weekly Behavior Support Team meetings to provide coaching support and planning as needed.
2. Attend bi-weekly Coaching meetings to review data used to make coaching decisions and evaluate coaching progress.