Early Childhood Education Coach

About the role

WACOG is the Head Start Grantee for Mohave, La Paz, and Yuma Counties, focusing on school readiness for all children and families. As a leader in quality early childhood programs, WACOG champions developmentally appropriate practices. Under supervision, you will provide assistance to clients to overcome crisis and maintain self-sufficiency while displaying a positive and professional image of Head Start education services for children in Yuma, La Paz, and Mohave counties, adhering to federal Head Start Performance Standards and the program’s early education policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Assess teaching staff based on established teaching principles, create practical goals, mentor and coach staff to achieve set goals, provide strategies and resources, evaluate progress and effectiveness, and update goals as needed.
• Perform CLASS assessments and determine planned trainings.
• Conduct formal classroom and individual-specific trainings as needed.
• Observe Head Start classroom operations and report on safety and compliance issues.
• Perform data entry and comply with relevant laws and regulations.
• Track children’s assessment outcomes, identify school readiness goals for WACOG, provide expertise to implement activities for children to meet goals, and investigate scores for accuracy.
• Participate in assigned program professional development.
• Work as part of a cohesive team to ensure efficient and effective functioning of the department.
• Demonstrate continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively to provide quality seamless coaching.
• Travel within WACOG service area, including overnight stays as needed; additional travel may be required.
• Maintain regular and punctual attendance; work outside of standard business hours as needed.
• Utilize tact and discretion to maintain confidentiality; project a positive and professional image of WACOG at all times.
• Other duties as assigned or required of the position.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree with a focus on Early Childhood Education (preferred).
• Minimum of five years in Early Childhood Education.
• Minimum 21 years of age.
• Valid Arizona Driver License, MVR Report of Acceptable Driving Record, and Proof of Vehicle Liability Insurance.
• Current Health Physical and TB clearance.
• Current AZ DPS Fingerprint Clearance Card, Criminal History Affidavit, and Central Registry Background Check.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, high-energy environment.
• Ability to secure and maintain a driver’s license valid in the state of Arizona or an acceptable alternative means of transportation. May be required to drive an agency vehicle. Employees authorized to operate a private vehicle for WACOG business must carry liability insurance minimums.

Skills

• Knowledge and understanding of the Head Start Program performance standards and other applicable regulations.
• Knowledge and understanding of child development.
• Experience in theories and principles of child growth and development, early childhood education (birth to age five), and family support.
• Ability to interpret a wide variety of technical instructions.
• Ability to handle all situations with tact and remain impartial.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to research solutions and take action when information is not readily available.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Head Start staff, parents, and community members reflecting various lifestyles, cultural/ethnic differences, and educational levels.
• Ability to collect and compile data relevant to all aspects of Child Development Services for Head Start quarterly program-wide reporting of children’s learning progress.
• Ability to provide effective presentations regarding Head Start early childhood education services to parents.
• Skill in communicating with tact; ability to present in front of groups with clarity and professionalism.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage.
• Flexible Spending Account.
• Health Savings Account.
• Arizona State Retirement System.
• Tuition Reimbursement.
• Paid Time Off.