Education Specialist - Family Child Care Network (FCCN)

Education Specialist

Job Description

Organizational Summary

Union Settlement is an East Harlem based nonprofit organization founded in 1895. For over 130 years, Union Settlement has provided critical and innovative programming to children, youth, families, and older adults. As a pioneer of the settlement house movement, Union Settlement continues to meet the needs of the ever-changing East Harlem community through its core programs. Through these programs, New Yorkers gain opportunities, develop skills, and become empowered to pursue and achieve their dreams. 

Today, Union Settlement provides services through 33 program sites in approximately 28 locations. Union Settlement’s current programmatic portfolio includes the following service areas: Early Childhood Education, Youth Development and Opportunity, Family Services (including the Family Enrichment Center, the Family Childcare Network, and the East Harlem Community Partnership, NYC Benefits, Adult Education, Mental Health Services, Older Adult Centers, and Economic Development. Union Settlement serves more than 10,000 individuals and nearly 1,000 businesses every year. 

Strengthened by a dynamic, diverse, and collaborative workforce of more than 350 employees, Union Settlement also serves as a connector, convener, and advocate for East Harlem and its partners. To learn more about Union Settlement, visit www.unionsettlement, visit www.unionsettlement.org

Position:  

Educational Specialist  

Department:  

Family Childcare Network (FCCN) 

Reports to:  

Director of Curriculum, Training & Coaching  

Hours:  

Full-Time  

FLSA:  

Exempt 

Position Summary:  

Union Settlement and Department of Education (DOE) view family child care as a respected and valued profession within the early care and education system in New York City. We seek to support and enhance the existing strengths of family childcare as birth-3 programs that promote continuous and responsive relationships, strengthen early learning skills, build resilience, and lay the foundation for all future learning. The primary role of the Education Specialist is to build strengths-based relationships with affiliated providers to support the implementation of high- quality play-based instruction.  

Responsibilities:  

• Collaborate with the Education Director to support the professional development needs of home-based childcare providers.
• Adapt and provide guidance to affiliated providers on the implementation of the educational curriculum by meeting with assigned childcare providers twice monthly.
• Deliver strength-based, practice-based coaching for up to 18 affiliated childcare providers as they implement a mixed-age curriculum.
• Review and adapt appropriate curriculum supports and documents with affiliated providers that foster hands-on developmentally appropriate and relationship-based interactions with all children.
• Complete an Ages and Stages Questionnaire with parents of all assigned childcare providers.
• Assist affiliated providers gathering observations of children and entering child assessment data in a timely manner and support its use for curriculum and lesson planning and using this data to guide conversations with parents.
• Assist with the referral process for special services and follow up with assigned services for children enrolled, as needed.
• Document and keep records of all coaching sessions aligned with the DOE’s Early Childhood Framework for Quality (EFQ).
• Support the Director of Curriculum, Training & Coaching in coordinating all required professional learning days throughout the year.
• Participate in FCC Education meetings with other Education Staff members as well as the Director of Curriculum, Training & Coaching to connect about individual childcare providers, families, and coordinate all needed services.
• Participate in biweekly individual supervision arranged by the Director of Curriculum, Training & Coaching.
• Participate in Network staff professional learning sessions.
• Other tasks as assigned by the Director of Curriculum, Training & Coaching.

Skills:  

• Willingness to travel within the Manhattan area. 
• Time management skills are essential. 
• Ability to multitask. 
• Must be a team player. 
• Appreciation for the unique needs of all childcare providers and families.

Qualifications:  

• BA/BS in early childhood or infant/toddler studies (required) 
• Experience teaching children under four (required) 
• Excellent computer skills (required) 
• Experience working within a family childcare network (preferred) 
• Excellent organizational skills and interpersonal skills. 
• Overall flexibility and ability to work under pressure and meet many deadlines. 

C O R E C O M P E T E N C I E S 

• Leading Others: Creates a sense of urgency throughout the organization on the importance of achieving outcomes. Inspires, influences, and enables team members to reach their goals
• Facilitating Change: Approaches challenges with creativity and flexibility. Demonstrates analytical thinking. Guides change to meet Union Settlement’s goals.
• Managing Performance: Evaluates and revises goals semi-annually with the team. Provides consistent supervision and documents performance highlights and concerns
• Applying and Developing Expertise: Embraces and leads the team to achieve milestones. Seeks and supports professional development opportunities for team members. Manages finances and budgets effectively
• Communicating and Collaborating: Listens well and actively engages with others with honesty and integrity and holds team accountable to the same standard

Union Settlement’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Commitment 

Union Settlement is an equal opportunity employer. They do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.