Early Childhood Education Community Specialist, DECE - 27220

About the role

Position Summary: The Division of Early Childhood Education (DECE) supports the operational and programmatic functions of early childhood education programs for New York City children in elementary schools, Pre-K Centers, and New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) contracted settings including Community Based Organizations (CBOs) and Family Childcare (FCC) programs. DECE provides families with access to high quality, inclusive early childhood programs for children birth to five in diverse settings, supporting children’s growth and development. By working in partnership with families and programs, DECE ensures that children are engaged, nurtured, and supported. The Community Specialist, under the direction of the Project and Operations Manager, within the Learning & Partnerships vertical, serves as the operational and executive support hub for the vertical. The role combines strategic operations such as; managing priority initiatives, tracking goals and deliverables, and ensuring follow through on leadership decisions and with executive support, including calendar management, scheduling, communications development, and logistics coordination for leadership. This is a citywide position based in one of the five boroughs (Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, Staten Island), with a portfolio spanning all borough offices. The Community Specialist serves as the primary operational liaison between central leadership and borough based teams, supporting multiple Leadership Coaches and Instructional Coordinators as a boroughwide resource rather than being attached to a single borough office team. The role provides daily administrative and office operations support, including timekeeping, workspace, and technology coordination and ensures coherent systems, timely communications, and consistent coordination across the vertical. Performs related work.

Reports to: Project and Operations Manager, Learning & Partnerships; Direct Reports: N/A; Key Relationships: Chief of Learning & Partnerships; Senior Leadership, Learning & Partnerships; Leadership Coaches and Leadership Coach Specialists; Instructional Coordinators; Inclusion Specialists; borough office leadership teams; DECE Program teams.

Responsibilities

• Manage strategic projects and priority initiatives for the Learning & Partnerships vertical.
• Develop systems for tracking goals, deliverables, and performance indicators.
• Coordinate cross functional work among leadership coaches, instructional coordinators, and borough and central teams.
• Manage calendars, scheduling, and meeting logistics.
• Develop agendas, briefing materials, presentations, and executive communications.
• Track action items and ensure follow through on leadership decisions.
• Support Leadership Coaches and borough based staff with TRAC entries, timesheets, and related personnel and payroll processes.
• Coordinate seating assignments, space requests, and office maintenance needs across borough offices.
• Serve as the point of contact for technology, equipment, and supply needs, coordinating with central teams to resolve issues.
• Serve as the primary operational liaison between central and borough based teams.
• Coordinate citywide meetings, trainings, and leadership convenings.
• Support implementation of Learning & Partnerships initiatives across all borough offices.
• Prepare reports, analyses, dashboards, and summaries for leadership.
• Develop internal communications that ensure consistency across borough offices.
• Maintain organizational systems, resources, and operational documentation.

Requirements

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and two (2) years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties described above; or
• High school graduation or equivalent and six (6) years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties as described above; or
• Education and/or experience which is equivalent to “1” or “2” above.
• However, all candidates must have at least one (1) year of experience as described in “1” above.
• In addition to meeting the minimum requirements, individuals must have two additional years of relevant work experience.

Skills

• Experience providing direct support to leadership (e.g., executive operations, special assistant, or strategic coordination roles).
• Experience coordinating projects, communications, or operations across multi-site or field-based teams.
• Knowledge of the NYCPS system and the early childhood education landscape.
• Familiarity with NYCPS administrative and timekeeping systems (e.g., TRAC).
• Strong proficiency in the Microsoft 365 applications, including Excel, SharePoint, Forms, and Outlook; comfort building and maintaining trackers and dashboards.
• Excellent interpersonal, spoken, and written communication skills, with the ability to draft polished communications on behalf of leadership.
• Demonstrated discretion in handling confidential personnel and organizational matters.
• Ability to prioritize, multitask, and exercise initiative and independent judgment.
• Willingness to be flexible.
• College coursework in early childhood education or behavioral sciences.
• Bilingual.
• Willingness to travel among the five borough offices as needed.

Pay

Salary: $72,114 - $79,325 (Internal candidates who are selected for this position and who currently hold comparable or less senior positions within the DOE will not earn less than their current salary.)