Education Specialist

Any individual who receives an offer of employment or will receive a payroll check are required to submit to a drug and alcohol test as a condition of obtaining employment.
Mille Lacs Band Member/American Indian preference applies

SUMMARY:
The Education Specialist supervises and provides coaching, mentoring, and training to all early education teaching personnel. Provide short term and long range planning for service delivery and training; act as an integrator of components, including health, nutrition, disabilities; function as liaison and information conduit between program management, staff and community collaborators.

QUALIFICATIONS:
• Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education or related field required.
• Three (3) years progressively responsible professional experience which demonstrates significant supervisory and administrative responsibilities and a strong knowledge of theories and practices of Early Childhood Education/Development required.
• Experience in design and delivery of training.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong computer skills, including database, word processing, spreadsheets, Internet and e-mail.
• Strong team leadership skills.
• Loves children can wholeheartedly engage in working with and for them.
• CPR and first aid certified or (within 30days).
• Current mantox (yearly) and physical every two years.
• Continued compliance of the Mille Lacs Band drug and alcohol policy.
• Employment is conditional upon pre-hire and continued compliance of the background check policy.
• Mandated reporter monitor and report suspected child abuse and neglect.
• All communications are potentially sensitive and are subject to head Start confidentiality policy.
• Must be able to lift 25lbs.
• Daily kneeling, stooping, bending and sitting on the floor, and occasional heavy lifting to attend to Children’s needs. Including the physical ability to respond to children who are active; ensuring their safety or the safety of others in the environment.
• Projects and maintains an image of service and professionalism with a positive attitude and interacts easily as an integral part of the faculty and staff.
• Understanding of the relationship of the Early Education Program to the Mille Lacs Band Community also values and supports the mission of both.
• Sustained concentration and the ability to handle multiple tasks often simultaneously.
• Must have a current valid driver’s license.
• Must be insurable under the Mille Lacs Band Drivers Insurance policy.
• Must pass a Pre-employment drug & alcohol test.
• Must pass a background check.
• A staff person with direct contact with or access to children in care must disclose the arrest, conviction, and applicant background information if that staff person:
(a) has a conviction of, has admitted to, has an adjudication of delinquency for, has been charged and is awaiting trial for, or a preponderance of the evidence indicates the person has committed:
1) a crime against a child;
2) an act of physical or sexual abuse;
3) neglect;
4) a felony;
5) the same or similar crimes as those in this subsection listed in the laws of another state or of the United States or of any Tribal law;
(b) has a conviction of, has admitted to, has an adjudication of delinquency for, has been charged and is awaiting trial for, or a preponderance of the evidence indicates the person has committed any misdemeanor offense under Federal, State, or Tribal law involving crimes of violence; sexual assault, molestation, exploitation, contact or prostitution; crimes against persons; or offenses committed against children. The Licensing Committee may evaluate the nature and time of a misdemeanor assault charge as well as other types of misdemeanor crimes not specified in this section to determine whether employment is appropriate.
8 MLBSA § 1212(a-b).

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Supervise, mentor, coach and administer work plans and directives to staff.
• Monitor the performance, attendance, certifications, required documents and timecards of all regional staff.
• Recommend areas of improvement to staff and promote training that reflects the individual needs of staff members and/or the team as a whole.
• Document and administer both positive and negative feedback utilize coaching and counseling plans when warranted. Insure documentation is forwarded to Human Resources.
• Coordinate personal & professional development and training plans of staff and insure teaching staff progress towards educational requirements as supported by the Performance Standards.
• Arrange and facilitate and provide for mandated trainings and updates to policies and procedures.
• Facilitate the resolution of conflicts between staff.
• Promote a consistent exchange of information in all directions.
• Monitor report and provide feedback for all employee related accidents.
• Monitor, evaluate and ensure training of classroom volunteers.
• Ability to determine and prioritize workload while being flexible.
• Application of the principles of early childhood development and team leadership to work place situations.
• Continuous upgrading of leadership skills and professional expertise.
Program Coordination
• Substantial decision making in the allocation of resources to program components.
• Significant problem solving in concert with team members.
• Ability to focus on organizational detail while maintaining a bigger picture vision.
• Ensure program compliance with codes of all state and local licensing agencies and grant requirements.
• Facilitate case management meetings, consultations, and staff meetings.
• Observe children and provide suggestions for behavior management and education programming to meet the individual needs of all children
• Monitor home visiting component.
• Coordinate the integration of components through team development, integrated work plans, and collaboration.
• Assure that quality services are delivered in a coordinated, integrated manner.
• Assure that all Head Start Performance Standards are met through the efforts of collaborative teams; establish and monitor systems that assure program quality.
• Submit monthly reports on direct service activities and status to the Program Director.
• Monitor and assure availability of supplies, equipment and maintenance.
• Design and administer internal structures and systems.
• Create and maintain supportive documentation as appropriate.
• Arrange for services in all functional areas, utilizing internal and external resources to provide medical, social, mental health, educational, and special services as deemed appropriate.
• Assure coordination among components, across levels, and within the organization as a whole.
Community Networking
• Coordinate with community partners in development of training and curriculum resources.
• Build rapport with local agencies, community service organizations, and educational providers.
• Attend and facilitate meetings, design and deliver training and formal presentations.
• Provide information on the Head Start program to the community.
• Participate in professional development activities and organized community events.
Additional Job Responsibilities
• Participates in projects needing expertise.
• Prepares and submits monthly reports.
• Ensures compliance with Head Start Regulations, as appropriate.
• Willingness and ability to support or step into other management positions as needed and as appropriate.
• Facilitate and encourage cultural activities and practices in a respectful and professional manner.

WORKING CONDITIONS:
• Typical hours are 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday – Friday. Evening and weekend scheduling is possible.
• There is moderate stress associated with this position.
• Work is primarily indoors, but events and trips may require some outdoor work.
• There is little risk of personal danger or risk.
• Some local travel may be required.