Education and Disabilities Coordinator

Job Code: 25-9031                                                     Salary: $18.70 - $38.65

Status: Full-time, Non-Exempt                                   Location: Early Learning Center (ELC)

Department: ED – Early Learning Center                 Reports To: ELC Program Manager

Telecommute: No                                                     Fleet: Yes

SUMMARY:  Under the general direction of the ELC Program Manager, the ELC Education and Disabilities Coordinator is responsible for ensuring that programming is age-appropriate, meets best practice standards, and enhances each child’s individual level of development, along with assisting families with disability paperwork and attending CPSE meetings. This person acts as a mentor for the teaching staff by modeling best practices in the classroom, overseeing curriculum development and program implementation, monitoring child development outcomes, evaluating the classroom environment, and actively working alongside other service area staff and the ELC Supervisors. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

• Adhere to all policies, standards, and procedures as dictated by Tribal Personnel Policies, NYS OCFS Child Care Licensing Regulations, the ELC Behavior Management Plan, the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct, Head Start Program Performance Standards, and all other applicable regulations pertaining to health, safety, and sanitation.
• Coordinate and oversee implementation of program curriculum, lesson planning, development of individual child goals, and classroom environment while ensuring all materials and teaching practices are developmentally and culturally appropriate.
• Create and maintain Individual Professional Development Portfolios for all teaching staff and assist in developing professional development. Provide mentoring, coaching, and technical assistance, and arrange for professional development with consideration of staff goals, program goals, program data, and all guiding standards and regulations.
• Maintain expertise in such tools as Creative Curriculum, Teaching Strategies Gold, CLASS, Environment Rating Scales, Pyramid Model, NYS Early Learning Guidelines, NYS Core Body of Knowledge, Quality Stars Inventory of Practices, as well as current research and best practice in the field by attending annual early education conferences and participating in other relevant training opportunities.
• Promote continuous quality improvement for the achievement of stated program goals by working with specialists from the Office of Head Start and Quality Stars NY, program staff, service providers, consultants, and other relevant community agencies.
• Work in conjunction with Health and Family Services staff to support families, attend CPSE and other necessary meetings, and provide parent education.
• Facilitate the development and monitoring of school readiness goals and relevant data, ensuring goals are being met in classrooms. Coordinate quarterly meetings to share data with the School Readiness Team.
• Coordinate and maintain partnerships with receiving schools for the purpose of easing transitions to Kindergarten, as well as partner with ELC staff, and other programs to ensure that children and families are supported through all transitions into, within, and out of the program.
• Prepare and work with fellow staff on annual reports, budgets, program policies, and goals, and ensure all monthly reports and other documentation are submitted in a timely manner.
• Participate in screening, interviewing, hiring teaching staff, as well as ensuring appropriate orientation and onboarding for a smooth transition into the program.
• Coordinate with the ELC Nurse in implementing screenings and subsequent follow-up according to program policy, assisting families with referral paperwork and ensuring timely submission, follow-up, scheduling, communication, and documentation. 
• Attend CPSE or other local agency meetings, and ensure all appropriate documentation related to evaluations and IFSP/ IEPs is received and filed. Share IFSP/IEP information with teaching staff and monitor curriculum implementation for individualization of services as required by a child’s IFSP or IEP, and coordinate with outside service providers to ensure children’s needs are being met within the program. Facilitate communication regarding the scheduling of services among families, staff, and providers.
• Remain up to date on and ensure compliance with all laws and regulations related to services for children with disabilities.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:  The ELC Education and Disabilities Coordinator shall carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable Tribal rules. Responsibilities also include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining the Culture and Language Coordinator.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Due to the sensitive nature of information and files maintained within the Early Learning Center, staff must maintain strict confidentiality at all times.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• A Master' s degree in education or related field (Curriculum, Literacy, Teaching) or a Baccalaureate or advanced degree in Early Childhood Education.
  • A minimum of four (4) years’ teaching experience in the Early Childhood field.
• Knowledge of Mohawk language and traditions is required

Preferred

• Supervisory and coaching/mentoring experience.
• Knowledge of the Head Start and Child Care programs.

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES: Strong oral and written communication skills. Must have computer skills, including Microsoft programs. 

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS: 

• Exhibit a friendly and courteous manner while maintaining a high level of professionalism in relationships with children, families, visitors, colleagues, other staff members, management, and community members.
• Positively deal with crisis situations. Deal with hostile, aggressive persons or situations.
• Be aware and sensitive to the needs that may arise when handling stressful and demanding circumstances.  Immediate debriefing will be made available.
• Assist in maintaining a safe working environment in the ELC.
• Promote a positive image of the ELC and foster a climate of respect and integrity.

REASONING ABILITY:

• Ability to implement regulations that govern programs for young children, acknowledging that all staff will cooperate to implement a program that far exceeds minimum regulations.
• Ability to ensure that the rights and needs of children are the highest priority, while also recognizing the needs of other family members.
• To provide needed human and financial resources that will benefit families and children.
• To contribute to the ongoing review, evaluation, and modification of services as needed by the community, families, and children.
• To provide information about the services of the program to the community and to engage staff in cooperative problem solving, planning, and continuing evaluation of themselves and the program.

The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe strives to be an equal opportunity employer dedicated to the policy of non-discrimination based on race, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, physical disability, veteran status, or any other non-job-related factor. The SRMT will give preference to the qualified native applicant.

Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license in accordance with the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe’s Fleet Policy. 

The successful candidate must pass a test for illegal substances prior to employment being confirmed. 

The successful candidate must pass a criminal background check prior to employment.