Early Childhood Education Specialist

Job Overview:

The Early Childhood Education Specialist is responsible for implementing programming for children ages 0-5, their parents, and local preschool or childcare providers. This includes working with families and child care facilities 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.

Major Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement 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.
• Assist parents with applying for childcare assistance and enrollment in childcare services while identifying and removing barriers to childcare access for parents
• Provide 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).
• Lead 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 for the program, required intake documents and service plans are recorded and implemented, and collect client feedback to determine areas for improvement.
• Maintain communication on program status and ensure compliance with all relevant standards and grant requirements and reporting.
• Attend outreach events in collaboration with the Youth and other departments to raise awareness of the program and recruit participants.
• Participate in all program meetings, staff development activities, and other duties as assigned.
• Work as part of a team to provide comprehensive strength-based services to IRC clients through coordination of cases and effective communication between team members and departments.
• Comply with all policies, procedures, and protocols of the agency, placing importance on client confidentiality.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, education, social work, psychology, or a related human services field is preferred.
• Minimum of 2 years relevant work experience in human services or early childhood education field is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success working and communicating effectively in a multicultural environment.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute both independently and as a key team member, coupled with excellent problem-solving skills, including multitasking, prioritization, and effective time management.
• Fluent in English, both spoken and written; bilingual ability in a language spoken by the local refugee population is desired.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• 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.