Early Childhood Education Coordinator

Job Overview:

The Early Childhood Education Coordinator is responsible for overseeing, supporting, and implementing programming for children ages 0-5, their parents, and local preschool or childcare providers. This includes developing strategies to expand childcare availability, improving systems for accessing childcare, conducting parent-child, sessions, and fostering the cognitive, social, and emotional growth of children ages 0-5. This position reports to the Youth Program Supervisor and supervises an Early Childhood Education Specialist.

Major Responsibilities:

• Coordinate and oversee the delivery of early childhood education programming for refugee families to promote access to childcare, to ensure children are prepared to succeed in formal schooling, and to holistically serve families of eligible children to raise the quality of services to children and families.
• Increase childcare access by developing strategies to expand childcare availability for eligible clients, collaborating with local childcare providers and agencies to enhance access, and identifying and removing barriers to childcare access.
• Enhance childcare providers’ understanding of eligible clients’ needs by providing specialized training on cultural competencies to childcare providers and developing culturally sensitive resources and materials.
• Foster cognitive, social, and emotional growth of preschool-age children by connecting families with available community programs such as Head Start, Early Head Start, other preschool options, or age-appropriate English Language Literacy (ELL).
• Coordinate orientations to familiarize parents with local resources, school systems, and US child welfare laws. Collaborate with educators and community partners to support English Language Learners (ELL), school readiness, and community integration, while promoting positive parent-child interactions.
• Empower parents through peer connections, social groups, and parenting classes. Provide essential information on child welfare laws and available resources.
• Ensure participant eligibility and implement a monitoring and evaluation structure to determine areas for improvement.
• Maintain communication on program status and ensure compliance with all relevant standards and grant requirements and reporting.
• Collaborate to maintain and develop partner relationships, determine children and family needs, and conduct outreach events in collaboration with the Youth and other departments to raise awareness of the program and recruit participants.
• Supervise the team of Early Childhood Education Specialists and interns, supporting their professional growth.
• Develop and deliver comprehensive team training and complete performance management plans, progress meetings, and evaluations as per IRC standards.
• Actively participate in the IRC internal Education & Youth network through recurring meetings, resource sharing, collaborative initiatives, and program data tracking, while also assisting in resource development and grant proposal writing to support the youth and education work of IRC Phoenix.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree required, preferably in early childhood education, education, social work, psychology, or a related human services field.
• Minimum two, prefer three to five years of experience in education or social programs for children and youth, including previous experience supervising staff or volunteers.
• Knowledge of standards for high quality early childhood education programming, including engaging content, and strong safeguarding, safety, and security measures.
• Proficiency in documenting program services and tracking data to monitor against program benchmarks to meet reporting and funder requirements.
• Experience delivering training and professional development to adults. Knowledge of adult learning principles.
• Strong cross-cultural communication skills, both written and verbal. Ability to work effectively in a multicultural setting and with limited English proficiency speakers. Organized, responsible, and flexible with the ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment. Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to promote an organizational culture reflecting service, accountability, integrity, and equality. Leadership that values collaboration of diverse cultures and perspectives.
• Fluent in English, both spoken and written; bilingual ability in a language spoken by the local refugee population is desired.
• Valid driver’s license, active insurance policy, reliable transportation, and eligibility to receive a Level 1 fingerprint clearance card.

Working Environment:

• A combination of standard office environment, remote work, and ‘field’ time within the service delivery area to perform the above outlined responsibilities.
• May require occasional weekend and/or evening work to meet the needs of clients’ schedules.

Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employer: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

US Benefits: The IRC offers a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. All US employees are eligible for sick time, a 403b retirement savings plans: up to 4.5% immediately vested matching contribution, plus an 3-7% additional IRC contribution, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support in times of crisis and mental health struggles.

In addition, full-time employees are eligible for 10 US paid holidays, 20-25 paid time off days, disability & life insurance, medical, dental, and vision insurance (employee contribution starting at $135, $7, and $5 per month respectively) and FSA for healthcare, childcare, and commuter costs. Part-time employees are eligible for a proportionate amount of paid time off. These additional benefits apply to employees who work at least 6 months within a 12-month time period.