EMPLOYEE: ______Employee ID: ______

SEMCAC

Job Description

Job Title:Program Specialist for Winona (site)

Department:Head Start

Reports To:County Coordinator/Coach

FLSA Status:Non-Exempt

Prepared By:Beth Stanford

Draft Date:10 February 2015

Approved By:Pat Georgens/Beth Stanford

Approved Date:

SUMMARY

The position supports Semcac Head Start through provision of technical guidance to partnership centers. The position will have a two-fold set of responsibilities: 1) in partnership with Families First,to reach shared goals with our Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership (EHS-CCP) Centers; and, 2) in partnership with Winona State University-Children’s Center serving birth-five years. This position provides on-the-job guidance, coaching, training, and technical assistance to classroom teaching staff who work in childcare partnership classrooms. This position works with program staff to improve the quality of teaching; assist programs to promote positive, significant and sustained outcomes for children; and promote career development for teaching staff working in partner sites. This position supports the family service requirements for all families enrolled in assigned childcare partner sites. To that end, the position operates in a team approach to integrate systems that support comprehensive services to the children and families. This is afull-time, 12-month appointment, unless otherwise indicated.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

General of All Head Start staff

Respect and respond competently to the culture, traditions, lifestyle, language, and values of each family and community.

Participate in recruitment plans to reach eligible families and maintain full enrollment.

Represent Head Start in the community and support effective community partnerships while advocating for Head Start families.

Represent Semcac to promote excellent public relations and build awareness of the program’s contributions to local communities.

Maintain strict confidentiality concerning children, families, staff and agency matters.

Serve as a mandated reporter of suspected abuse or neglect to proper authorities.

Contribute to effective program practices and maintain a commitment to professionalism.

Submit reports, oral and/or written, as assigned.

Early Childhood Development

  • Evaluate classroom staff and environments using a variety of methods including but not limited to: informal and formal observations, and personal interviews to determine classroom environment, training and mentoring needs for each staff member and site team.
  • Develop individual mentoring plans with each staff member in assigned area.
  • Set up and follow mentoring schedule that meets the individual needs of classroom staff.
  • Provide guidance/mentoring to all classroom staff working within the assigned Early Head Start partnership classrooms.
  • Visit each classroom and mentee on a regular basis to encourage open communication in an instructional and nonjudgmental manner, while working together to problem solve.
  • Work within the classroom setting when needed to model best practice with children, families and co-workers.
  • Work with the Education Team to evaluate and analyze child outcome data.
  • Instruct classroom staff on how to interpret child data and how to use it for improved outcomes for children and continuous program improvement.
  • Work with the Head Start Leadership team in the planning of classroom staff trainings.
  • Meet with entire classroom teaching teams as needed.
  • Regularly communicate with and collaborate with Center Directors on progress and goals.

Family and Community Partnerships

  • Support parents with children enrolled in the child care partnership sites with enrollment, family goal setting, compliance with medical requirements, maintenance of child care subsidy and emergent needs.
  • Conduct a monthly parent meeting and parent education topics as determined by enrolled families.

Program Support

  • Support training events in conjunction with Families First Head Start Leadership Team staff and under direction of Families First Curriculum Coordinator.
  • Attend partnership staff meetings and trainings as needed and required.
  • Maintain a professional manner while performing all aspects of the position.
  • Provide work direction if assigned staff.
  • Coordinate with partnership staff to integrate Head Start services. Participate as appropriate in partnership team meetings to plan for and deliver collaborative services across all components, such as for classroom lessons plans, child assessment, recruitment and supervision of volunteers in the classroom, professional development, committees, problem solving, etc.
  • Maintain accurate written records; including assessments, special education documentation, screening instruments, anecdotal observations, transition activities, parent/teacher conferences, and any other required documentation.
  • Performs any duty, not specifically stated, which is assigned by the supervisor and is logically related to the function of Semcac Head Start.

AUTHORITY TO ACT

The Program Specialist has the discretion to act independently in the day-to-day conduct of the above responsibilities unless otherwise requested by the supervisor or Families First. Personal judgment will be exercised as to when to inform and involve the supervisor. Sound judgment will involve assessing, planning, and evaluating new and uncertain situations. The position also will collaborate with other Families First EHS-CCP staff and Semcac Head Start coordinators in the conduct of the above or in working groups/committees established of staff and parents as needed to address specific objectives.

QUALIFICATIONS

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.

Education And/Or Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) from four-year college or university in Early Childhood Education – OR - related field that includes 6 or more courses in Early Childhood Education;
  • 3-5 years of teaching experience with Early Head Start or equivalent education and experience;
  • Must have extensive knowledge of early childhood education including all domains of learning and development. Must be familiar with current research and understand how that research can be translated into classroom instruction;
  • Experience in providing and implementing early childhood education service activities and training for teaching staff and parents;
  • Experience in family support and home visiting;
  • Experience in working and communicating with culturally, linguistically, developmentally, and age diverse groups;
  • Experience in establishing and maintaining positive, trusting, supportive relationships; ability to individualize according to mentees learning style and background;

Licenses, Registrations, Certificates

Certification in CPR and First Aid - or - Ability to obtain within three (3) months of employment.

  • Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation needed.Must have auto insurance coverage that meets minimum requirements of Minnesota State Law on the vehicle used for work.

Knowledge

  • Demonstrated knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards
  • Familiar with community resources available to address the needs of low-income families.
  • Must understand the needs of low-income families.
  • Must be able to use a computer to develop word documents, charts and letters, research information and use web-based programs.

Language Skills

  • Ability to read, analyze and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills; Ability to effectively present information to management staff, public groups, staff, parents and/or boards of directors.

Abilities

  • Ability to model best practice for mentees and ability to apply professional knowledge to work with adult learners
  • Ability to work independently. Uses own judgment to organize and develop systems for accuracy, meet deadlines and maintain confidentiality;
  • Ability to respond to behavioral issues with appropriate behavior management techniques.
  • Ability to closely monitor and supervise a child with special needs.
  • Ability to deal with crisis situations.
  • Ability to work a flexible schedule, including attendance at staff training, that may include some evening and weekend hours.

Reasoning Ability

  • Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
  • Ability to read, analyze and interpret Head Start policies and procedures and Performance Standards.
  • Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Mathematical Skills

  • Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume.
  • Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform successfully the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job:

  • The employee is regularly required to sit, talk and hear.
  • The employee is routinely required to stand, walk; use hands and fingers, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, bend, crouch, crawl or sit on the floor to attend to children’s needs.
  • The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
  • The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance.
  • Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive, and the employee will also perform other related duties as assigned. Semcac reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. Semcac is an equal opportunity employer.

Note to applicants: DO NOT ANSWER THIS QUESTION UNLESS YOU HAVE BEEN INFORMED ABOUT THE REQUIREMENTS DESCRIBED IN THIS JOB DESCRIPTION.

Are you capable of performing, in a reasonable manner, with or without reasonable accommodation, the activities described in this job description?

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