Infant & Toddler Specialist

SUMMARY Reports to the Director of Child Care Resource & Referral, under the Student Affairs Division of Southeastern Oklahoma State University. The Resource and Referral Infant/Toddler Specialist will provide technical assistance or coaching, offer support to childcare programs serving infants and toddlers, and will work in collaboration with licensing specialists and other community agency staff working with childcare providers to improve the quality and availability of childcare. The position will also conduct training as it relates to strengthening the quality of the childcare system in the Southeast Region Service Delivery Area (SDA). This is a full-time position, and travel is required. The position is grant funded with full benefits financed through the Department of Human Services, Division of Child Care, and the Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES · Provide coaching and technical assistance (TA) to childcare providers on infant toddler child development, infant toddler care difficulties, developmentally appropriate practices, The Pyramid Model Practices, and other topics determined upon program visits. · Annually meet Infant Toddler goals defined and set forth by the granting agency, Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness (OPSR). · Establish positive working relationships to include but not limited to, SECCR&R Staff, OPSRF Staff, Regional Infant Toddler Coaches, Infant Toddler Classroom Teachers, and community agencies that serve infants and toddlers. · Works cooperatively and effectively as a team member by communicating and contributing information on a continuous basis. · Effectively communicate with the SECCR&R Program Director about progress of projects and all complications that arise. · Serve on community coalitions to include, but not limited to quarterly SE Partners Meetings. · Promote community awareness and involvement in the field of early childhood education by attending and participating in family events/early care and education events throughout the service delivery area to include health fairs, baby fairs, provider conferences, etc. · Foster partnerships with individuals from other community agencies that serve infants and toddlers. · Provide training for childcare providers in SDA. · Must be able to travel throughout the region, including overnight and/or on weekends. · Participate in staff meetings and all other trainings required for position. · Maintain a working knowledge of the childcare resources available to providers. · Update Worklife Systems (WLS) database with TA and coaching information, for those programs currently being served in a one-on-one capacity. Also record contact made with community organizations, ECE Professionals, attendance at community or ECE events, general provider questions, and any other documentation needed to meet OPSR contract requirements. · Assist in contacting all providers every six months to update information in the WLS database. · Submit at least one Infant Toddler focused article to Program Director for quarterly newsletter. · Regularly contribute Infant Toddler focused social media content to keep childcare providers abreast of industry information regarding best practices, policies and procedures, quality improvement for Stars, emergency preparedness, caregiver/child interaction, health and safety, etc. via social media (Facebook, Pinterest, Remind, Twitter), email and/or print communication. · Provide data and monthly activity report to Director for quarterly reporting. · Treat all information pertaining to childcare providers and children in a confidential manner. · Identify needed areas of self-improvement and actively pursues appropriate means and methods to increase effectiveness in those areas. · Other duties as assigned, by the Program Director, to meet position objectives and to support the Regional Network. ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES (FUNCTIONS, DUTIES) Attendance and Dependability: The employee can be depended upon to report to the assigned duty station at the scheduled time. Employee can be depended upon to complete work in a timely, accurate, and thorough manner and is conscientious, about assignments. 1. Communication and Contact: The employee communicates effectively and professionally both verbally and in writing with superiors, colleagues, and individuals inside and outside of the University. 2. Relationships with Others: The employee works effectively and relates well with others including superiors, colleagues, and individuals inside and outside the University. The employee exhibits a professional manner in dealing with others and works to maintain constructive working environment. 3. Safety: Employee works safely, attends safety training offered/required, and follows appropriate safety rules and regulations. In relation to level of NIMs training completed, participates in incident management preparation, and performs incident duties as assigned. 4. Physical Abilities: The employee will continuously use finger dexterity as well as hand dexterity to take notes, use a computer keyboard, and telephone. May need to remain seated for long periods of time, have the ability to perform repetitive motions and reach for objects. Is frequently required to communicate verbally and hear well enough to detect nuances and receive detailed information. May be required to grasp objects, push, and pull objects, bend, stand, walk, squat or kneel. Should have the ability to lift and carry 25 pounds. Vision abilities include close vision for data preparation or analysis, expansive reading (paper and computer screen), and driving. 5. Working Conditions: The employee will typically work indoors in a heated and air-conditioned space with a mixture of natural, incandescent, and florescent light. When traveling, employee could spend up to eight hours in a vehicle per day, and some low to moderate noise levels can be expected when working on-site at childcare facilities.