Foundations Early Childhood Coach

Job Description

Job DescriptionDescription:

JOINT INITIATIVES FOR YOUTH + FAMILIES (JI) – An Equal Opportunity Employer

Joint Initiatives for Youth + Families (JI) is a nonprofit organization established in 1989 specifically for the purpose of bringing together agencies that serve children and youth to drive collective impact and ensure higher impact services for young people ages 0-21 and their families in El Paso and Teller Counties.

FOUNDATIONS PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Foundations is the early childhood program of JI, bringing together agencies and individuals to work collaboratively on a seamless system of care for young children and their families in El Paso County.

SUMMARY OF POSITION

Provides guidance and support to local Early Childhood Education (ECE) administrators and providers by setting quality improvement and trauma-informed goals and supporting skill development and implementation of quality systems, environments, practices, and interactions. Serves as a trusted thought partner to administrators and providers by helping them navigate challenges, celebrate successes, and build sustainable systems that improve outcomes for children, families, and staff.

Requirements:

RESPONSIBILITIES + DUTIES

• Treats children and families with respect, dignity, and empathy.

• Builds trusting, strengths-based relationships through observation, reflective coaching, and collaborative goal setting.

• Partners with ECE administrators and providers to support implementation of grant requirements, continuous quality improvement, and participation in Colorado Shines and other early childhood initiatives.

• Uses reflective coaching practices to support professional growth and sustainable quality improvement.

• Adapts coaching approaches to meet the unique needs, goals, and readiness of each program.

• Designs, coordinates, and delivers professional development through coaching, training, communities of practice, consultation, and other capacity-building strategies that support evidence-based early childhood practices.

• Connects programs with technical assistance, professional development opportunities, and community resources that support continuous quality improvement.

• Develops procedures, forms, and expectation documents to be utilized by coaches that meet the various requirements of early childhood grants and state initiatives.

• Coordinates and tracks coaching activities across multiple grant funding sources and state initiatives.

• Maintains accurate coaching records and documentation in accordance with grant and organizational requirements.

• Monitors program progress and prepares reports that demonstrate outcomes and grant compliance.

• Ensures required documentation is completed in a timely and accurate manner.

PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSIBILITY

• Engages in productive and respectful communications with JI leadership and colleagues.

• Serves as a positive ambassador of JI to external parties.

• Displays a positive attitude, works well with others, and accepts direction well.

• Works well under stressful and emotionally-taxing circumstances and engages in effective self-care.

• Works effectively with those representing a variety of needs and abilities, with varying socioeconomic, cultural, and racial backgrounds.

• Recognizes that we hold attitudes and beliefs that can detrimentally influence our perceptions of and interactions with individuals who are diverse from ourselves.

• Treats youth and families with respect, dignity, and empathy.

• Reviews work for accuracy, clarity, timeliness, and conformance with procedures and processes.

• Commits to JI’s organizational mission, vision, and operating philosophies in compliance with instructions, policies, and guidance.

• Assumes other tasks and duties as assigned. These tasks and duties may support other programs and departments from time-to-time and the broader JI mission.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS + ABILITIES

· Organizes and manages multiple tasks concurrently.

· Must possess strong leadership skills and an ability to build relationships and connect people with one another for a common goal.

· Excellent written and verbal skills.

· Functions and works effectively both independently and as part of a team.

· Works with a diverse population, modifying intervention strategies for different settings, levels of experience and education, and learning styles.

· Plans and completes projects within designated timeframes.

· Manages conflict constructively and applies problem-solving skills to develop solutions for unanticipated issues and challenges.

· Must be proficient in a Windows and web-based technology environment.

· Maintains confidentiality regarding work performed.

· Background checks, drug testing, education, and previous employment verification required.

EDUCATION + EXPERIENCE

Minimum Qualifications

· Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, or a Level 3.0 Early Childhood Professional Credential, required.

· Coursework and/or experience in early childhood education, quality improvement, adult learning, or coaching preferred.

· Must possess, or be willing to obtain, the Colorado Trainer Credential and Colorado Coach Credential.

SALARY RANGE

$21 - $23 per hour, with an additional 15.35% benefits stipend to provide for health insurance and savings plans.

COMPUTER SKILLS

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Microsoft software (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint). Knowledge of internet tools is desirable (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Safari, Google Chrome).

LANGUAGE + MATH + REASONING ABILITY

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.

• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.

CERTIFICATES + LICENSES

Current, valid Colorado driver’s license and proof of auto insurance.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Remote working may be necessary due to current public health concerns; travel is primarily within the Pikes Peak Region, with occasional travel to surrounding areas in Colorado. For positions that do not have a dedicated JI office, work will be conducted at home, in JI’s open office space, and/or within the community. A laptop computer and cell phone will be provided for every employee regardless of office space designation. This role is five days per week and may need to work evenings and weekends on occasion.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here represent those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distance vision.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear.

• The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms.

• The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.