Early Childhood Specialist

Job Description

Position Overview:

Responsible for the planning and support of staff competency in implementation of a developmentally appropriate early childhood classroom in order to meet the social, emotional, intellectual, and physical needs of the children. Strengthen the skill sets of staff in high quality adult-child interactions and teaching practices through individual and group modeling, instructing, and training. Serve as a content-area expert within the State of Michigan Licensing Rules and Regulations to assure all rules are being followed and complied with. Assist the site in ongoing daily operations in conjunction with the site supervisor.

Where will I be working?

Site Determined in Interview

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Provide classroom coverage to ensure that appropriate licensing ratios are maintained.

Maintain an orderly, healthy and safe environment conducive to optimal growth and development of children in compliance with agency, state and federal guidelines and regulations.

Cultivate relationships with education and site staff to maximize teacher-child interactions and enhance teacher knowledge and skills in the evaluation of child progress and effect change.

The ability to work independently, establish priorities and manage deadlines, multi-task and work in a fast-paced environment; and work flexible hours.

Support and assist early childhood educators in identifying specific needs of children, developing educational plans, and referring children for further evaluation when necessary.

Required Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree or higher with a stated major in Early Childhood Education or Child Development (or) a Bachelor’s degree or higher in a child-related field including 18 credit hours in Early Childhood Education or Child Development and 480 hours of experience (or) a Bachelor’s degree in any area that includes a minimum of 18 credit hours in Early Childhood Education or Child Development and 1920 hours of experience.

Must have or complete a minimum of two (2) credit hours in childcare administration within six (6) months of hire in accordance with the Licensing Rules for Child Care Centers

Knowledge of and experience with Head Start Performance Standards and State of Michigan Child Care Licensing Rules preferred.

DISCLAIMER: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the agency. Employees in this position must be able to perform the essential job functions of this position with reasonable accommodation.Company Description

Head Start for Kent County provides high quality services at no cost to qualifying families. We work alongside families to deliver comprehensive services to children five and under, promoting their well-being and development.

We offer an excellent benefits package with health insurance that starts after just 30 days of employment. Several benefits are even at little to no cost to the employee. We provide generous time-off and paid holiday policies that start on your very first day. Additional perks include half-day work on Fridays, Employee Assistance Programs providing corporate discounts, wellness programs for both physical and mental health including free counseling sessions, retention and attendance incentives, professional development opportunities, tuition reimbursement, including paid in full CDA’s and assistance with Associates degrees and above.

Find out about these and other ways in which we invest in our employees at

Full-time