TRS Mentor

About the Role

The Texas Rising Star Mentor provides remote or face-to-face coaching to Early Learning Programs (ELPs) to guide, advise, and support them in attaining or maintaining Texas Rising Star certification. This role assists programs in improving their practice, achieving higher levels of quality, and accessing resources and professional development. The position serves the Child Care Services Program across an 11-county region.

Responsibilities

• Provide coaching and mentoring to classroom teachers and administrators using Texas Rising Star mentoring strategies.
• Maintain accurate and detailed case files for all contracted Child Care Providers.
• Prepare and explain Provider Contractual agreements to newly contracted child care centers.
• Partner with providers to develop and implement Texas Rising Star Continuous Quality Improvement Plans (CQIPs).
• Deliver professional development experiences to support continuous quality improvement among ELPs.
• Collaborate with administrators, teachers, and others to interpret child data and improve instructional practices.
• Promote the Texas Rising Star program with partnering agencies, clients, child care centers, and the public.
• Maintain assigned caseloads of TRS Providers in accordance with TWC and Workforce Solutions Board guidelines.
• Complete accurate documentation and data entry for contracted child care centers.
• Implement corrective action plans and sanctions with Providers as necessary.
• Create workshops and training activities for providers, teachers, and staff.
• Develop Inclusion Plans for children with disabilities, ensuring compliance with policies and eligibility for enhanced rates.
• Serve as a liaison with local entities working to improve child care quality.
• Conduct evaluations and follow-up strategies to assess training effectiveness.
• Maintain Provider files according to department policies and notify management of any issues.
• Demonstrate continuous effort to improve operations, streamline processes, and work cooperatively with providers and staff.
• Arrive on time and document pertinent information accurately in Provider files.
• Submit all paperwork and time sheets accurately and timely.

Requirements

• Adjust schedules to include evening or weekend work as needed.
• Communicate positively with parents, caregivers, and child care providers.
• Work independently and cooperatively with strong time management skills.
• Report suspected child abuse, neglect, or fraud in accordance with legal and professional responsibilities.
• Ensure non-discrimination based on race, religion, family background, or culture.
• Participate in job-related in-service trainings, conferences, and workshops.
• Operate office equipment including computers, scanners, copiers, and multi-line telephone systems.
• Handle and prioritize multiple assignments to meet deadlines.
• Report on-the-job accidents immediately.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in early childhood education, child development, special education, child psychology, educational psychology, elementary education, or family consumer science.
• One year of full-time early childhood classroom experience in a child care facility, Early Head Start, Head Start, or prekindergarten through third grade school program.
• Experience in social services relating to parents, children, and providers in the child care industry.
• Willingness to take and pass Texas Rising Star Mentor certification (failure to pass may result in termination).
• Knowledge of child care licensing standards and the needs of young children preferred.
• Ability to write clearly and maintain records.
• Ability to relate to diverse groups and work with low-income individuals.
• Knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices for young children.
• Ability to coordinate trainings for adults in early childhood.
• Ability to organize and track provider agreement and accreditation deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Suite.
• Strong oral and written communication skills using correct business English.
• Ability to balance multiple duties and meet deadlines.
• Willingness to pass a drug/alcohol test and comply with the agency’s “Drug Free” policy.
• Minimum age of 25 to operate a company vehicle (waivable to 24 with a satisfactory motor vehicle report).
• Reliable self-transportation for regional travel and a valid Texas driver’s license.
• Agreement to maintain a satisfactory motor vehicle report and minimum insurance requirements.

Physical Demands

• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods, drive or ride in vehicles, and operate office equipment.
• Occasional lifting and moving of up to 25 pounds.
• Occasional pushing or pulling of weight over 25 pounds.
• Ability to lift boxes of supplies and adjust office furniture.

Work Environment

• Ability to adapt to inclement weather and long-distance travel within or outside the service area.
• Adaptability to moderate noise levels in an office environment.
• Ability to work in a stressful environment and manage stress effectively.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing work schedules, including potential remote work during extraordinary circumstances.

Travel Requirements

• Normal to heavy travel to Provider locations within the Workforce Solutions Workforce Resource Child Care area.
• Travel for meetings, classes, and workshops in and out of the service area.
• Ability to travel by air for training, conferences, and related activities.