Professional Development Specialist

As a Child Start Professional Development Specialist, your role will be to advocate for best practices among child care providers, early care and education teachers, parents, and caregivers. You will focus on addressing challenges in child development while promoting developmentally appropriate practices that support healthy, safe, and optimal learning experiences for young children. Additionally, you will be responsible for researching, creating, and conducting professional development events, as well as consulting with centers, providers, preschools, and parents to tackle specific concerns.

• Offer KDHE approved in-service and pre-service professional development opportunities, for childcare providers and teachers.
• Create new KDHE approved coursework, as needed, to meet the needs of the project.
• Respond to and coordinate any data collection requests from funders, community partners and supervisors.
• Coordinate support, education and information to community stakeholders on relevant early childhood or child care issues.

Requirements

• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in child development, early childhood education or a closely related field. At least three years of experience working with young children with a minimum of one year in a child care setting. Experience working with adults (e.g. training, coaching, mentioning or leading and providing support to caregivers/teachers.
• Maintain a strong working knowledge of the child care licensing regulations.
• Be knowledgeable about the core competencies, the CDA process and accreditation systems for both center and home-based programs.
• Be knowledgeable about the Environmental Rating Scales, CLASS and Developmentally Appropriate Practice.
• Provide technical assistance to child care programs specific to the implementation of principles and practices introduced through professional development sessions.
• Proficient using Microsoft Word, Excel, including creating and editing documents, and spreadsheets.
• Complies a variety of reports and data information with a high degree of accuracy to support compiling and synthesizing reports.
• Ability to work with a diverse client population.
• Requires good interpersonal, communication, and teamwork skills.
• Holds a valid Kansas driver’s license.
• Ability to complete projects in a timely manner and to multi-task.
• Bilingual candidates preferred.
• The employee must be able to regularly lift and/or move up to 30 pounds for various event needs.

Benefits

Child Start's Professional Development Specialist position is $17.40 per hour, 40 hours per week and 52 weeks per year.

Child Start offers competitive salary and benefits, including Medical/Dental/Vision plans, company-paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability coverage, 403(b) retirement plan, 9 paid holidays each year, and much more!

Must have legal authorization to work permanently in the United States for any employer without requiring a visa transfer or visa sponsorship.

This is not a remote position, must be able to commute daily to Wichita, KS.