Child Development Specialist

“Helping our community’s most vulnerable with solutions that permanently improve lives” Great Benefits: Medical, Vision, Dental, Basic Life, Short-Term Disability, Vacation, Sick Time, 12 Paid Holidays, Flexible Spending Account (FSA), 403(b) with a match, EAP and a Pension Plan SUMMARY: The Child Development Specialist assumes responsibility, oversight, and guidance for the provision of high-quality early childhood development services that embed responsible and effective teacher-child interactions; the facilitation and implementation of a research-based curriculum; and screening and assessment procedures, to promote school readiness and align with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework (HSELOF): Ages Birth-Five.

The CDS monitors instructional activities and classroom environments, including but not limited to child observations, child portfolio collection, lesson planning, parent and teacher conference activity and will review child assessment data for quality assurance and implementation.

In addition, the CDS will monitor general documentation of child data in the agency database.

The Child Development Specialist works in collaboration with Area Managers, Administration Team and community partners for the coordination of comprehensive program services.

Job Requirements: DUTIES: Essential duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
• Monitor and provide feedback to Instructional staff to promote children’s cognitive, social, and emotional growth for positive outcomes and school readiness.

• Monitor and provide feedback to Instructional staff to ensure the delivery of high-quality program services that are developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate.

• Monitor and provide feedback to Instructional staff to embed responsive and effective teacher-child interactions and classroom management techniques.

• Monitor and provide feedback to Instructional staff to implement a research-based curriculum, as well as screening and assessment procedures that support individualization and growth in the areas of development described in HSELOF.

• Conduct regularly scheduled site visits to observe Instructional staff and classrooms.

• Provide written documentation of all classroom observations and develop written action plans when necessary.

Provide Instructional staff with reflection and feedback regarding recommendations to support continuous quality improvement.

• Collect, review, and provide feedback to Instructional staff regarding lesson planning and individualization, including children with disabilities who hold an IFSP/IEP, to ensure curriculum implementation and fidelity and progress toward goals and objectives.

• Review child observations and classroom assessment results for timeliness and accuracy, and assist Instructional staff in documenting child progress, plans for progression, individualization; noting any concerns, for continued school readiness.

• Review child portfolios and provide feedback and guidance to Instructional staff on changes and improvements as needed.

• Observe and provide feedback to the instructional team on an ongoing basis.

• Monitor and provide feedback on all areas of the environment, which may include but is not limited to; daily schedule, room arrangement, curriculum planning etc.

• Direct modeling of skills to Instructional staff to improve instructional practices and classroom quality.

• Participate in agency committees as requested to support the agency.

• Contribute to a positive community presence, focusing on networking opportunities, enhancement of volunteer participation and educational awareness efforts in regard to program needs.

• In collaboration with Disabilities Coordinator, reviews IEPs with teaching staff and ensures teachers implement intervention strategies as per child’s plan and needs.

• Monitors and provides feedback to Instructional staff in all aspects of the child’s transition process.

• Assist Instructional staff and Area Managers with planning and implementing new initiatives as directed by Administration.

• Submit all required reports as requested.

• Monitor instructional staff for compliance of Arizona State licensing, Head Start Performance Standards and WSHS Policies and Procedures.

• Report any suspicion of child abuse or neglect to child protective services.

• Perform emergency first aid procedures as required.

• As program needs dictate, may be called upon to fill in as a substitute in one of the WSHS classrooms to ensure uninterrupted service delivery to children and families.

• Promote an ongoing commitment to excellence and continuous quality improvement to ensure the highest quality of services to our staff and clients.

• Other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS: 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.

Knowledge
• Knowledge of child development theory; specifically early childhood development
• Understanding of the daily routine and schedule required for the coordination and delivery of a developmentally appropriate early education program
• Statute of Rules on Child Care Center Rules Instrument (A.R.S.

36-891)
• Arizona Department of Health Services (AZDHS) Forms CCL-114 and CCL-324
• Strategies to motivate children and parents to become involved in activities
• Understanding of and sensitivity to cultural differences within the community, program, and agency
• Techniques for accurate record-keeping and data management
• Awareness of community resources and available support services
• Understanding of Head Start Act and Performance Standards preferred Skills
• Ability to create individual and group activities for children to support school readiness
• Effectively motivate others; encouraging their participation and engagement
• Managing change and demonstrating adaptability, flexibility, and responsiveness to varying needs and situations
• Critical thinking and resourcefulness to overcome challenges and solve problems
• Using, structuring, and managing time effectively
• Understanding, following and carrying out written and oral instructions
• Communicating effectively with others
• Proper English grammar and usage
• Fluent in Microsoft Office Applications (Word / Outlook).

• Maintaining cooperative work relationships.

• Bilingual (English/Spanish) skills preferred; may be required for some positions (Staff will receive a 2% base pay differential upon successful completion of a Spanish language proficiency assessment) Abilities
• Identify opportunities for improved effectiveness or efficiency and lead change and innovation
• Work successfully with socio-economically disadvantaged and culturally and linguistically diverse pre-school age children and their parents in a fast-paced environment
• Read, understand, interpret, and apply rules, regulations, and policies
• Adhere to a structured schedule, adhere to timelines, and meet deadlines
• Maintain confidentiality of personal information (FERPA)
• Stand and/or sit for prolonged periods of time
• Lift children up to 40 pounds and assist them to the bathroom as necessary
• Sit on the floor and ambulate over uneven floor surfaces including stairs, steps, and playgrounds
• Other significant physical abilities include lifting/carrying/pulling, stooping/kneeling/crouching, reaching/handling/fingering, talking/hearing conversations and other sounds, near/far visual acuity/depth perception/accommodation/field of vision QUALIFICATIONS: Education/Experience Must meet one of the following educational requirements, as well as the experience requirement: § Minimum of Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development or other directly related field preferred § Bachelor’s degree in a related field with 12 hours of ECE credits will be considered.

Three years minimum experience teaching in an ECE classroom required, demonstrated competency in the following areas: § Providing effective and nurturing teacher-child interactions § Planning, facilitating and evaluating learning experiences that ensure effective curriculum implementation § Experience using child data to track child progress to plan individualized instruction Credentials, Licenses, and Certifications
• Meets Arizona Department of Health Services (AZDHS) requirements for licensure
• Possesses or acquires, and maintains, Arizona Department of Public Safety Level One Fingerprint Clearance
• Approved documentation of a negative result for a tuberculin (TB) skin test or chest x-ray
• Meets federal Head Start employment requirements including physical examination at hire (and every three years thereafter)
• Possesses or completes verified training in First Aid and CPR (within ninety (90) days of hire) and remains current in the certification
• Possesses or acquires, and maintains valid Maricopa County Environmental Services Food Service Worker Certificate
• Possesses and maintains a valid Arizona driver license (An individual must be 21 years of age or older to drive on behalf of Westside Head Start and Catholic Charities Community Services)
• Reliable personal transportation and ability to show proof of current/valid vehicle registration and insurance
• Fully Vaccinated against COVID-19 We Value Diversity EEO OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES RESPECT INTEGRITY ACCOUNTABILITY COMMITMENT QUALITY