Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

I worked at a few different Head Start locations while I was on the East Coast, and I really enjoyed working within the Head Start programs and believe in what they stand for.

One job that stood out to me, although it is not available right now where I am, is the Head Start Education Coordinator.  This position is responsible for the education and early childhood development portion of the Head Start program.  It includes, but is not limited to, planning, managing, supervising and coordinating an early childhood education curriculum, providing educational resources for staff and parents, ensuring compliance with performance standards, child care licensing regulations, and recognized best practices in the field of early childhood education.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Bachelor Degree in Education with concentration in Early Childhood education or if in a related field, two years experience in ECE.
• Two years or more experience in supervision, parent education, and staff training.
• Ability to converse, write and read Spanish and English fluently.
• Commitment to dual language learning philosophy (English and Spanish).
• Demonstrated knowledge of child growth and development.
• Ability to communicate and work effectively with diverse parents, professionals, and community groups.
• Ability to analyze and use data to inform decision-making.
• Ability to secure clearances for Child Abuse, Criminal History, and  FBI (required).
• Awareness of Puerto Rican culture/community (preferred).
• Possess or ability to secure state Driver’s License and insurance (preferred).
• Ability to secure health clearance every two years and TB once (required).
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with a team.
• Strong organizing and problem solving skills.
• Strong report writing and research skills
• Ability to work flexible hours (evenings).

Navy District Washington, Fleet and Family Readiness Programs, Department of Defense

 When my husband and I were stationed in San Diego, CA I looked into the Fleet and Family Services Child and Youth Program Center for a job.  The job that I wanted was not available, however I did end up working within the program in a different position.  I enjoyed my time that I had there in the program and I am still interested in the original position – so much so that I keep an eye on openings and if it was to become available I would apply for it in Washington, DC.

Child & Youth Program Training & Curriculum Specialist- The purpose of this position is to provide and deliver a comprehensive training program to CYP employees, to assist with the implementation of a developmentally appropriate curriculum/program that fosters the physical, social, emotional, cognitive and language development of children and youth, ages 6 weeks to 18 years, and to promote school readiness and support ongoing school success.  You are assigned responsibility for providing training to CYP employees based on needs of the CYP. 

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

o   Must have Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Elementary Education, Special Education, Home Economics (early childhood emphasis) or related field of study and 3 years of full time experience working with children and/or youth

OR

o   Master’s degree in the related field of study and a minimum of 1 year of professional experience working with children

OR

o   A combination of education and experiences – courses equivalent to a major in a field (24 hours) appropriate to the position, plus appropriate experience or additional course work that provided knowledge comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of the 4 year course of study and 3 years of full time experience working with children and/or youth

o   Knowledge, skill, and ability to independently manage a developmentally appropriate program for the age groups served.

o   Knowledge and background of child and youth programs including principles, practices and techniques of child and youth development

o   Knowledge of Federal and State laws governing the detection and prevention of child abuse and/or neglect

o   Knowledge of the NAEYC, COA and NAFCC accreditation criteria and process, the required programs of the BGCA, 4-H, and the skills and knowledge to implement the Department of Defense (DoD) certification standards

o   Knowledge in interests and motivation of individuals and groups

o   Skill in planning, organizing, and implementing a variety of programs

o   Skill to develop curriculum outlines, courses of study lesson plans/guides, and to conduct training workshops

o   Ability to provide guidance and leadership to employees and providers.

o   Ability to identify and respond to emergency situations including evacuations, child illness, and physical and emotional disorders

o   Must possess a valid state driver’s license

o   Must pass a pre-employment physical, provide evidence of immunization and be free from communicable disease

o   Ability to communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing, and possess strong interpersonal communication skills

o   Must successfully complete background investigation. Background Investigations are conducted using fingerprint identification and completion of background inquiry forms.

Community College Instructor

I had the opportunity to complete some of my undergraduate practicums within the child development center at the university that I attended.  I enjoyed that experience so much that I got a job right out of college as an assistant to the professor that I had, to finish out the rest of the child development center’s school year with her.  To this day I have always wanted to teach in that environment again.  Although nothing fitting that exact description is available, I did see some jobs that piqued my interest on https://www.communitycollegejobs.com/

Most of the early childhood teacher education instructor jobs required the following:

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate a depth of knowledge in the discipline and broad preparation for teaching in the discipline. In addition, the successful candidate will be able to demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Ability to work effectively with colleagues in an environment that promotes innovation, teaching, learning and service to a diverse student population;
• Ability to effectively work with students from diverse backgrounds who have a wide range of skills, motivations, preparation, and academic and career goals;
• Ability to work effectively in a participatory governance environment;
• Ability to develop curriculum, including curriculum delivered via various instructional modalities;
• Ability to participate in recruitment and articulation activities with local schools, colleges, and universities;
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
• Ability to maintain subject matter currency;
• Ability to develop Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) and to determine their effectiveness in helping students achieve their desired learning outcomes;
• Ability to utilize technology in the delivery of instruction and willingness to explore new technologies for instruction and learning;
• Knowledge of institutional accreditation, planning, and continuous quality improvement;
• Knowledge of and commitment to the California Community College mission;
• Demonstrated sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students and the community at-large.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Early Childhood Education Minimum Qualifications
Master's degree in Child Development, early childhood education, human development, home economics/family and consumer studies with a specialization in child development/early childhood education, or educational psychology with a specialization in child development/early childhood education OR Bachelor's in any of the above AND Master's degree in social work, educational supervision, elementary education, special education, psychology, bilingual/bicultural education, life management/home economics, family life studies, or family and consumer studies OR the equivalent.