Position Type:
Early Childhood Education

Date Posted:
5/13/2021

Location:
District-wide

RFSD is seeking an Interim Director of Early Childhood Education who will provide day-to-day leadership of the program while the program prepares for a transition. Due to the passage of Proposition EE in Colorado in 2020, the state is undergoing a major restructuring of early childhood programming, including increased programming, regulatory changes, and universal preschool access beginning in 2023. The interim director will support all of our preschool centers located in Glenwood, Carbondale, and Basalt during the 2021/22 SY in addition to participating in a strategic planning process for the program to align with the implementation of Proposition EE. Candidates must be Large Center Director qualified according to the requirements of the Colorado Department of Human Services.

Starting pay $72,362+ per year based on years of experience.
209 work days - beginning July 26th, 2021

RFSD offers full district paid employee health benefits as well as voluntary vision, dental, and dependent coverage. Other benefits include: paid leave, CO PERA (pension plan) enrollment with district contribution, TSA options, Employee Assistance and Wellness Programs.

DEFINITION
The person in this position is responsible for directing and coordinating the early childhood programs to ensure quality care and to work in partnership with parents, students, teachers, paraprofessionals and administrators in accordance with Federal and State Regulations.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives direct supervision from the Chief Academic Officer.

Provides direct supervision to the Child Find Coordinator and site program directors.

Will provide coaching or training to teachers and paraprofessionals as needed.

PRIMARY DUTIES - The following are examples of primary duties assigned to the Director of Early Childhood Education. Other related primary duties and responsibilities may be assigned.

Assist Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) Teachers as well as preschool and toddler teachers and directors with processing general preschool inquiries and registration as needed.

Collaborate with early childhood team in meeting Colorado's Content Standards for preschool and monitoring student performance using the Teaching Strategies GOLD system.

Collaborate with early childhood team to develop and maintain program policy.

Monitor Division of Child Care state licensing.

Disseminate information on statewide initiatives to early childhood team.

Prepare November count information for children enrolled in Special Education, CPP, and ECARE.

Chair or co-chair the RFSD Early Childhood Council.

Plan for and lead early childhood team meetings as needed.

Collaborate with early childhood team to assess and plan for staff and program development needs.

Collaborate with the child find coordinator to provide a smooth transition for families entering our district who have children on an Individualized Educational Plan or an Individualized Family Support Plan.
Assist early childhood staff in obtaining funding in order to augment training and increase quality of the program, including researching and writing grants.

With support from the Chief Financial Officer, monitor the early childhood budget.

Assist and supervise the Child Find Coordinator

Provide observations and coaching for directors, teachers and ECSEs as needed.

Recruit and hire qualified early childhood teachers.

Hire and supervise a pool of qualified early childhood substitute teachers.

Monitor programs to ensure teachers are providing high quality programming using an evidence based curriculum.

Support directors and staff as they work to receive and maintain Colorado Shines ratings of a 3 or higher.

Other duties as assigned.

COLORADO PRESCHOOL PROGRAM AND EARLY CHILDHOOD AT-RISK ENHANCEMENT (CPP/ECARE) COORDINATION

Assist CPP/ECARE providers with maintaining preschool wait lists.

Design and implement a public awareness campaign.

Determine student eligibility by prioritizing those children with the highest number of risk factors.

Maintain provider, family, and child records required by The Administration of CPP Act.

Coordinate placement of eligible children including providing student registration and eligibility forms.

Monitor program sites with assistance from CPP district council members.

Consult with private program contractors.

Meet requirements for the CPP district council through the RFSD Early Childhood Council.

Design and implement annual program evaluation.

Prepare annual reapplication report.

Provide ongoing training for teachers in the use of Teaching Strategies GOLD and the Creative Curriculum.

Monitor usage of Teaching Strategies GOLD and support teachers in using GOLD data to enhance programming.

QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:
Content and teaching methods in special education and early childhood education
Development needs of students
Screening and evaluation of students
Principles of supervision and training and performance evaluations
Pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulation regarding early childhood education and special education
Planning and implementing staffings and other team meetings
Standards based education
Early Childhood curriculum development and instruction
Positive discipline and classroom management techniques
Effective public speaking and presentation techniques
English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation
Modern office procedures and methods
Principles of budget maintenance and preparation
Microsoft Office programs
Principles of business and letter writing and basic report preparation
Grant writing

Ability to:
Assist teachers in the development and administration of goals and objectives for ILPs
Oversee, direct and coordinate the work of staff in conjunction with principals.
Select, supervise, train and evaluate staff in conjunction with principals.
Develop, interpret and apply District policies and procedures.
Attend in-service trainings, conferences and meetings (including evenings and weekends)
Operate and use modern office equipment including a computer and various software packages
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
Work in multiple sites and conduct screenings during the summer when available
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work
Communicate with Spanish speak families

EXPERIENCE & TRAINING GUIDELINES
Experience:
Three years experience working with young children ages 0-5 and families from diverse backgrounds. Bilingual (Spanish) preferred.

Training:
Equivalent to the completion of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college in Early Childhood Special Education or a related field.

License or Certificate:
Possession of or the ability to obtain a Colorado Teaching License is preferred. Possession of or enrollment in a program to obtain appropriate early childhood special education endorsement preferred

Large Center Director's Certification from Colorado Department of Human Services.

Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Colorado Driver's License.

WORKING CONDITIONS
Requires driving from site to site. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works inside. The noise level is usually moderate. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, walk and stand.

Physical Conditions:
Primary functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for traveling, sitting, and standing, for prolonged periods of times; use of a computer; lifting; and carrying.