Matrix Human Services is Educating Children, Supporting Families and Rebuilding Neighborhoods in Detroit.
Operating multiple programs in more than 35 Detroit locations, Matrix provides services to more than 25,000 individuals and families annually and operates the largest Head Start program in Detroit serving more than 1,900 children.
CORE VALUES:
- Being of Service
- Building Relationships
- Always Learning
- Committed to Results
JOB SUMMARY/ACCOUNTIBILITY:
The Child Development Specialist will conduct classroom observations using tools such as CLASS, PQA, TPOT and TPITOs, and provide ongoing coaching/mentoring for staff to enhance adult-child interactions and child outcomes for school readiness.
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Develop and maintain a positive, supportive relationships with staff
- Develop and implement Practice Based Coaching strategies using the Teachers Learning and Collaborating (TLC), Learning Communities structure with teaching staff
- Work with the Assistant Education Managers to develop a schedule for conducting classroom observations as a foundation for determining needs
- Coach and mentor assigned teachers by utilizing research-based effective teaching strategies based on the individualized needs of each staff member
- Assess all education staff to identify strengths and areas of needed support
- Submit coaching plan to review with the Assistant Education Manager and assess teacher progress
- Facilitate teacher learning and growth through positive and constructive feedback
- Receive feedback to support adult learning
- Train new teaching staff and maintain support as needed while they gain knowledge of their role and responsibilities of their position
- Provide follow up support to staff following any form of training for the purpose of increasing implementation of information and transfer of skills into practice
- Ensure the use of adopted curriculum, assessments, materials and strategies are implemented to fidelity
- Assess classroom environments for an impact on a child’s behavior and development including the use of space and arrangement of equipment, developmentally and culturally appropriate lesson plans, activities, materials, communication and interactions with children
- Coach staff to promote parents in their parenting role as their child’s first teacher and building on that relationship to enhance parent-child attachment
- Administer CLASS Assessment tool
- Administer PQA Assessment tool
- Monitor COR Data, Active Supervision implementation, Lesson Plans, and Individual Learning Plans
- Gather and record information about the implementation of practices described in goals/action plans for the purpose of summarizing and displaying data.
- Complete monthly monitoring reports or coaching logs for assigned visits and submit them according to timelines for the purpose of meeting program requirement for tracking and monitoring
- May be required to fill in during center staff shortages and breaks
- Maintain adequate safeguards for the privacy and confidentiality of information.
- Complete required documentation of relevant activities and submit records and reports in a timely and accurate manner.
- Stay abreast of current issues and trends by participation in grantee-sponsored training, center pre-service and in-service trainings, and other continuing education, career and professional development opportunities; read and review regulations and other resources.
- Regularly review policies and procedures; revise and/or create policies and procedures as necessary.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field
- Minimum of two years recent classroom experience working in early care and education program
- Preferred five years or more recent experience working in early care and education program
- Knowledge of High Scope Curriculum, COR Advantage Assessment and observation tools (TPOT, TPITOS)
- Ability to work effectively with minimal daily supervision and guidance
- Receive and maintain CLASS certification
- Receive and maintain PQA reliability
- Strong working knowledge of Head Start Program Performance Standards and Michigan Childcare Licensing Regulations
- Effective in an environment of cultural diversity; comfortable in a collaborative, team-based work setting
- Proficient in Microsoft Office
- Reliable transportation is required
- Able to compile and analyze data to make effective recommendations and decisions
- Effective at problem solving, attentive to detail, organized, able to prioritize between multiple-tasks, flexible with changing priorities
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
WORKING AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to the following: Driving cars - meetings, training sites, home visits, socializations, etc. Walking on uneven ground, stairs, parking lots, playgrounds, etc. Exposure to outside weather conditions - frequently. Nosie level in the work environment is usually moderate.
CONTINUOUS QUALITY IMPROVEMENT AND ETHICAL CONDUCT:
- All staff will use data to help achieve program goals; apply techniques and strategies that promote a culture of learning; identify and address gaps that continuously improve our programs.
- All personnel of Matrix must adhere to the NASW Code of Ethics and incorporate Continuous Quality Improvement efforts into their everyday performance.
- All Head Start employees must adhere to the federal regulations and requirements for Head Start operations including the Program Performance Standards, licensing regulations, and the NAEYC Code of Conduct
- Demonstrate and actively promote an understanding and commitment to the mission and values of Matrix Human Services.
Matrix Human Services is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.
Matrix Human Services is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to recruiting@matrixhs.org. Michigan law requires that a person with a disability or handicap requiring accommodation to perform the essential duties of the job must notify the employer in writing within 182 days of the date that the need is known or should have been known.
