Early Childhood Coordinator

General Description:

The Early Childhood Coordinator plays a key role in enhancing the quality of early childhood experiences for children from birth to kindergarten entry. This position supports the daily operations of the Family Resource Centers and parenting activities. Under the direct supervision of the FRC Program Manager, the Early Childhood Coordinator coordinates and facilitates the supervision of children while parents and caregivers attend adult-focused parenting activities and parent education sessions. They plan and coordinate adult and child parenting activities and resource events, develop and implement activities to support parent and child engagement, and coordinate materials and supplies for parenting activities.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

WEIGHT

DESCRIPTION

40

Preschool Educator:

1. Co-facilitate Early Childhood Experiences for multiage groups.
2. Plan and implement developmentally appropriate activities for children.
3. Develop lessons and coordinate materials for each FRC to implement monthly Adult and Child Parenting Activity Sessions.
4. Presenting and role modeling a professional attitude, greeting children and adults upon arrival at the session, respecting cultural and ethnic differences and always wearing professional attire.

20

Team Leadership:

Lead, manage and direct multiple Early Childhood Providers within the standards and requirements set forth by funding sources including program budgets and documentation of standards and requirements.

Coordinate interviewing, hiring, evaluating, and training of personnel and volunteers according to policy and procedure.

1. Create and implement Early Childhood Providers staff monthly schedule in collaboration with FRC Center Coordinators.

2. Monitor and approve Early Childhood Provider's timesheets.

3. Train all FRC staff on funder Standards of Practice and Implementation of Adult and Child Parenting Activities and Parent Resource Events.

Prioritize the well-being and development of team members, encourages collaboration, builds trust, and fosters a sense of community within the center.

15

Program Coordination and Community Engagement:

1. Support the development of the FRC Community Engagement/ Outreach Plan to recruit families to enroll in FRC services.

2. Support Center Coordinators to facilitate contract required Adult and Child Parenting Activities and Parent Resource Events.

3. Plan, Lead and Implement Parent Resource events in collaboration with the CFS Training and Outreach Supervisor and the CAP and PAC members

4. Participate in Community Networking Meetings to raise community awareness of FRC Services and Programs.

5. Purchase and maintain materials used during Adult and Child Parenting Activities and Resource events.

6. Manage the budget set by Division Director for Preschool Play Sessions, Family Fun Days or Play Dates and make quarterly recommendations to Program Supervisor

15

Preschool Activity Coordination:

Support Center Coordinators with implementation of Parent and Child Parenting Activities.

Oversee, distribute and coordinate materials and incentives used and distributed in Parent And Child Activities

5

Data Entry and Feedback Collection:

1. Create and implement a quarterly participant feedback loop for Adult and Children Parenting Activities.
2. Review, Recommend and Share participant feedback with stakeholders and use to make program modifications to Adult and Child Parenting Activities.
3. Support Center Coordinators with entering adult and child Parenting Activity attendance information.
4. Support FRC Staff with Data and Technology training and needs.

2.5

Follow internal protocol immediately with regard to safety, health, and environment of the client and employee workspace and workplace equipment

2.5

Perform other related duties as assigned.

Example of a Daily Schedule:

Early Childhood Coordinators will work eight hours per day Monday - Friday, until 7:00 pm one night per week and at least one Saturday per month. Daily activities may include meeting FRC staff at storage to distribute and organize Adult and Child Parenting Activities and Parent Resource Event Materials and Incentives. Setting up, facilitate or co-facilitation, and cleaning up for Adult and Child Parenting Activities and Parent Resource Events, entering attendance data, and/or preparing lesson plans and gathering materials for future Adult and Child Parenting Activities. Conduct Outreach Activities to recruit Families for FRC services. Driving to support FRCs staff and implementation in Phoenix and Mesa.

Team Leadership Responsibilities:.

Manages and supervises Early Childhood Providers, volunteers, interns and staff as may be necessary to accomplish program objectives. Responsible for the overall supervision and management, coordination, and evaluation of Early Childhood Providers. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with organization's policies and procedures and under the direction of the Program Supervisor. Responsibilities include advertising for, interviewing, hiring and training staff, planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance, addressing complaints, and resolving problems to the best of their ability.

Qualifications Requirements

To perform this job successfully, the individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience, Ability

• Bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent experience with at least 5 years of early childhood education experience and college level Early Childhood Education Courses
• Previous Supervision experience
• Minimum: High School Diploma with 12 hours of college level Early Childhood Education or 2 years of early childhood classroom experience.
• Ability to participate as a member of a team, including collaboration, cross-training, and mutual assistance.
• Experience and comfort working with young children birth to 5 and their parents/ caregivers
• Experience and ability to use computer hardware and Microsoft Office software
• Current CPR, First Aid certification, Current Level 1Fingerprint Card.
• Clear a criminal background and motor vehicle screening; must have a clear driving record for at least 39 months.
• Reliable transportation
• Clear the Department of Economic Security, Central Registry Background Check.
• Good time management ability and ability to work independently.
• Obtain training as required by funder within 180 days of hire.

Ongoing Professional Development

• Create and implement an annual Professional Development Plan related to professional growth in this position.
• Complete and Maintain Certification in Standards of Quality for Family Support and Strengthening
• Participate in ongoing Professional Development Training per fiscal year related to this position.

Obtain and maintain Service Coordination Curriculum Certification/ Accreditation relevant to position.

Language Skills

Bilingual English/Spanish is strongly preferred. Ability to communicate clearly. Ability to listen and perceive need, working with people from diverse backgrounds non-judgmentally. Ability to effectively present and represent LSS-SW and the program's needs to religious and community groups as well as others in the social services community.

Mathematical Skills

Good ability to calculate figures.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to define problems, collect data, evaluate information, draw conclusions, and take appropriate action based on this information. Ability and confidence to make decisions when appropriate and when to solicit guidance from Regional Director.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment characteristics here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to work within mission of LSS-SW.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to sit on the floor or stand for long periods of time.
• The employee frequently is required to use hands to hold objects and operate office equipment.
• The employee is required to be able to listen and communicate effectively.
• The employee may be required to occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• The noise level in the work environment varies with the activity level of the facility.
• The employee must be willing to drive to community locations and client's home and able to orientate and navigate well within Program's boundary.
• Maintain valid AZ Driver License, vehicle insurance and reliable transportation.

All positions at Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest require a background check.