Infant and Toddler Specialist

Job Description

Job Description
Summary

Infant and Toddler Specialist
We are looking for an enthusiastic, lifelong learner with an expertise in working with infant and toddler classrooms and professionals. In this role the Infant Toddler Specialist (ITS) would be expected to partner with Infant and Toddler programs to assist in meeting quality standards. This would include: traveling independently to various child care programs throughout Monmouth County, communicating with state partners and attending meetings throughout New Jersey, encourage the use and development of resources to share with providers, develop trainings, training adult learners, and modeling quality classroom practices.

The position requires an individual with a positive outlook, comfortable with working as a team, and flexibility in understanding our ever-evolving work! We are seeking an individual with a big picture mindset, able to connect Infant Toddler Specialist Network (ITSN) work to other agency initiatives.The ITSN is a quality initiative funded by the Department of Human Services. The purpose of the initiative is to help child care providers understand how to implement quality care for our youngest children. In this role you will be learning the newest and greatest in early childhood education and provided with endless resources.You may also identify and develop plans to support provider needs.

A bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, child development, or related area of study is required; Master’s degree in a related field is preferred. Applicant must have five years of experience working directly with Infant/Toddler programs, preferably with the birth - 3 population. Familiarity with child care operations and regulations, and knowledge of local human service agencies and organizations is a plus. Bilingual (English/Spanish) candidates are preferred.

Duties

• Promote and support the vision and goals of DFD
• Professional development framework that serve the needs of infants and toddlers in diverse settings
• Promote and support quality enhancement initiatives in existing programs that serve infants/toddlers
• Provide services, such as; coaching, training, onsite consultation, technical assistance, resource identification, community outreach,education
• Provide technical assistance to programs interested in participating in subsidy program, as directed by DFD
• Work and communicate with government agencies and community entities to coordinate the outreach services set forth in this initiative
• Promote public awareness of the services through the dissemination of information including presentations at conferences, workshops, public service announcements, print material and presentations to organizations and agencies
• Work in cooperation with the Technical Assistance Centers to support programs and providers participating in GNJK to rating
• Ensure that all program reports are submitted timely
• Work closely with other Infant/Toddler Specialists and other departments to facilitate and ensure internal, external communications and knowledge sharing takes place.
• Community Outreach- Promote agency’s services, raising awareness about child care issues
• Participate in agency and community events when needed.
• Cover a minimum of one workshop or community event a month, along with rotating late-night coverage on Wednesday evenings.
• Submit monthly reports as required
• Other tasks as assigned

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required in Early Childhood Education is preferred; Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education is preferred
• Must obtain certification for Infant/Toddler Care (PITC) within one year of hire
• Must be registered with the NJ Workforce Registry, maintain membership in the Registry and become an approved Trainer through the Registry Instructor Approval System
• Five years of experience working directly with Infant/Toddler programs, preferably with the birth - 3 population
• Must have knowledge and training in the Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale (ITERS);
• ITS-SIDS
• Familiar with facilitating and supporting community of practice and peer to peer partnerships
• Knowledge of agencies and organizations with child care missions
• Comfortable with teamwork as well as with independent decision making
• Record keeping experience helpful
• Computer literacy, database experience helpful
• Must be able to travel independently to sites, meetings, conferences and training sessions in Monmouth County and elsewhere in New Jersey
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred
• Some evening coverage required/ Participate in agency and community events when needed
• Community Outreach- raise awareness about child care issues, promote agency’s services and on-line presence

Benefits

• Health Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Simplified Employee Pension Plan
• Hybrid Work Schedule (3 days in the office 2 days from home)