EHS EDUCATION/DISABILITIES/COACH LEAD
Company/Organization: RurAL CAP
Location: Anchorage
Application Dates: Until filled
Job Description
The Rural Alaska Community Action Program, Inc., (RurAL CAP), founded in 1965, is a private, statewide, nonprofit organization working to improve the quality of life for low-income Alaskans.
We represent every region of the state as one of the largest and most diverse nonprofit organizations in Alaska.
We value input from and have respect for all people. We believe that Alaskans have the right to maintain their cultural heritage and close relationship to the land while protecting their economic and human potential.
Our programs in early education, housing, and health and well-being serve to alleviate the root causes of poverty. We deliver innovative, community-driven solutions in response to Alaska’s most challenging needs while supporting vulnerable individuals and communities statewide.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Coordinates with all content areas, and in conjunction with other Leads: writes, revises and implements education, disabilities and coaching related policies & procedures and the related Early Head Start Education/Disabilities/Coach Lead Manual in order to ensure effective quality service delivery in which Head Start Program Performance Standards and all other relevant federal and state regulations are met.
- Obtain and maintain acute knowledge of Head Start Program Performance Standards specifically those pertaining to the Education and Disabilities component areas and Home Visiting requirements.
- Provides high quality Coaching, mentoring and training to home visitor staff to ensure high quality home visit practices are occurring in accordance with the Curriculum Model and the Head Start Program Performance Standards.
- Provides or arranges for requested or necessary Education and Disabilities related training and technical assistance to site staff and Early Head Start parents.
- Establishes a supportive relationship with site staff that results in increased skills and outcomes for children and families
- Advocates for responsive, timely, and effective quality services for children and their families.
- Takes a proactive, solution-oriented perspective to problem solve any challenges that may arise within the component team or at the site level.
- Reviews, analyze and acts on/bases decisions upon reports and appropriate data to ensure child, staff, team and site goals are being met or progress is moving in a positive direction.
- Under the direction of the EHS Home Visiting Operations Manager and the Head Start Services Manager-Education and Disabilities, works as a member of the EHS team to directly support site staff in the provision of high quality, family-friendly and community/culturally appropriate Early Head Start services to children and families.
- Establishes and maintains partnerships with applicable agencies such as school districts and early intervention programs. Establishes written agreements when applicable and meets progress and renewal deadlines.
- Assists staff with referrals to agencies, and monitors referrals to ensure children are assessed in a timely manner by appropriate providers.
- Promptly submits required reports and information necessary for monthly, quarterly, and annual reports, and other reports as requested.
- Actively participates in regular staff meetings, supervisory meetings, and all required training.
- Continually seeks out ways to further their own professional development in ways that will increase the quality services they are able to provide to sites.
- Takes initiative to join workgroups and attend meetings with outside organizations that are working towards the same common goals.
- When faced with challenges, seeks out guidance from policies and procedures, the Head Start Program Performance Standards, and other resources such as ECLKC and My Peers.
- Assists in preparing the budget and securing the resources and materials for all children and families to be successful.
- Supports and encourages cultural diversity and values the diversity of all peoples.
- Ensures that the specified curriculum, observations, screenings and assessments, individual child plans and parent input are being used to Individualize for children.
- Ensures that home visit lesson plans and group social plans reflect children’s developmental levels, culture, and uniqueness.
- Collaborates with staff to monitor children’s progress and decides on referrals and services. Then tracks and monitors all potentially delayed developmental screenings and referrals and services using the ChildPlus database.
- Works with Early Head Start Home Visitors to develop education goals for children to improve child outcomes.
- Tracks screening completion and follow up for all children within 45 days of their entry into the EHS program.
- Observes home visits and provides feedback to teachers using the specified EHS Observation Tool.
- Monitors and provides feedback to Home Visitors on the Teaching Strategies Gold quarterly Assessment.
- Advocates that children who are identified with a disability to ensure they receive high quality and adequate quantity of services as outlined in their individual plans.
- Assists in developing and implementing transition plans for children with disabilities who are entering or leaving Head Start programs or moving from one program to another.
- Provides or arranges for disability training and technical assistance for staff and parents. Ensures that staff have the basic knowledge necessary to support children with special needs and/or disabilities; responds to requests for training for specific children and disabilities/special needs.
- Collaborates in leading the Health Services Advisory Committee, soliciting advice, and advocating for effective quality services for children and families.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
WORK ACTIVITIES:
- Develops and maintains constructive and cooperative working relationships with organizations, agencies and families which support the goals of the Early Childhood Education programs.
- Instructs, coaches, mentors, or otherwise helps others to improve their knowledge or skills.
- Develops specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish work.
- Performs day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining files and processing information and paperwork and uses computers and computer systems effectively to enter data, create spreadsheets and to develop documents, program, and training materials and power-point presentations.
- Communicates with supervisors, co-workers, site staff and people outside the organization in a professional manner, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
- Analyzes and evaluates information to choose the best solution and solve problems; and to develop, design or create new ideas, systems, or products.
- Uses relevant information and individual judgement to determine whether events or processes comply with current program standards, laws, or regulations.
- Keeps program staff updated on any changes in early childhood education, disabilities and coaching.
POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK:
This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a 1-hour unpaid lunch break. Some remote work is a possibility. Must have a strong home Internet connection to be able to work remotely from home. Working from home expenses such as home Internet, phone, office equipment, etc. are not reimbursable by the early childhood Education Department. With this position, you have the option to work from the Anchorage central office every day if you choose to do so. Mandatory, in-office workdays occur on Wednesdays at the central office located in Anchorage. Other mandatory, in-office workdays may be required for certain meetings or other reasons. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.
TRAVEL:
Travel to and in rural Alaskan communities is expected, including travel by small airplane and alternative ground transportation.
EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS AND REQUIRED EDUCATION:
- Must be at least 18 years of age.
- Must pass state and federal background checks for convictions of violence and child abuse and/or neglect, including but not limited to fingerprinting.
- BA degree or higher in Early Childhood Education; or related field including coursework equivalent to a major relating to ECE.
- Experience planning and administering program services for children and families and assessing the quality of services and developing program services.
- Knowledge of 3 to 5 years of age growth and development.
- Demonstrated effective oral and written communication skills including giving and receiving feedback on quality of services.
- Must demonstrate sound judgment, professional boundaries, and ethics as well as maintain confidentiality in working with partner agencies, other service providers, and diverse staff.
- Responsible work ethic with reliable attendance.
- Must pursue an ongoing professional development plan including formal training certification or college degree as recommended by the program.
- Must attend 15 hours of professional development training annually.
- Proven ability and willingness to be self-directed in problem-solving and decision-making and perform basic assignments with little or no direct supervision while also working effectively as a team member.
- Demonstrated intermediate level of computer skills necessary in order to use and create documents and reports, spreadsheets, workshop materials and slide presentations, and to enter data into intricate database programs and proficient use of Microsoft Word, Excel, Teams, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Outlook.
- Must keep all matters concerning participants in strictest confidence as required by HIPAA privacy and the 42 CFR, Part II confidentiality regulations.
- Must provide a TB screening and basic physical exam within thirty (30) days of hire with follow-up every three (3) years at employee’s expense.
- Must complete and maintain CPR and First Aid Training certification at employer’s expense.
- Must be able to provide own transportation to meet work schedule requirements.
PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
- MA degree or higher in Early Childhood Education; or related field including coursework equivalent to a major relating to ECE.
- Knowledge of CDA competencies and familiarity with the assessment process.
- Knowledge and experience in rural Alaskan lifestyles with strong competence in multi-cultural environments.
- Experience with Child Plus.
- Knowledge and experience with the Head Start program.
- Experience in providing adult training.
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