Child Care Monitor & Family Engagement Specialist

JOB SUMMARY

Under general supervision, will act as a child care advisor (offering guidance to help improve the quality of care), child care monitoring specialist (completing announced and unannounced inspections to ensure to ensure quality/safety, enforcement of the Child Care Development Fund plan, and advise to follow state, county and federal regulations related to the plan) and family engagement specialist (responsible for planning and coordinating events/Trainings for families and providers) of the Muckleshoot CCDF Program.

MAJOR TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Recruits new child care providers; reviews and approves child care provider applications.
2. Reviews qualifications of perspective and current care givers, including education, work experience and background checks.
3. Performs announced and unannounced inspections of child care centers/homes to assess compliance with applicable laws and regulations to ensure that facilities meet existing health and safety standards.
4. Conducts workshops/trainings for child care providers designed to improve the quality of care, enhance the ability and capability of care to effectively meet the needs of the children/families.
5. Assist providers with developing age and developmentally appropriate activities, incorporating a school readiness program for interested families/providers.
6. Conducts workshops/trainings to build families’ capacity for becoming involved in improving their child’s development and school readiness skills.
7. To explain parental choice and ensure families have information to make well-informed decisions for finding child care.
8. Maintains data on childcare providers including results of inspections, recommended action plans to ensure compliance, authorized hours of care, changes in information, child/provider ratios, etc.
9. Receives, attends to, interprets, and responds to verbal messages and expresses information to individuals or groups effectively.
10. Because of the Tribe’s commitment to community service and the well-being of its members, each employee may be expected to perform a wide range of office and field duties from time to time. Such duties may or may not be related to their regular responsibilities.

EDUCATION - EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING FOR POSITION

Required: Associate’s degree in early childhood development, teacher education, sociology or psychology and four years of work experience inspecting, licensing and/or monitoring child care centers, family day care homes and non-public nursery schools or working closely with the Muckleshoot families in an early childhood program, conducting home visits or outreach services.

Preferred: Bachelor’s degree in child development, education, social work or psychology from an accredited college or university with one year of experience inspecting, licensing or monitoring child care centers, family day care homes and non-public nursery schools.

SPECIFIC SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE/ABILITIES REQUIRED FOR POSITION

Skilled In:

• Possesses or is capable of developing the specific knowledge and technical abilities to succeed in the specified position.
• Effectively manages emotions and impulses and maintains a positive attitude.
• Models and demonstrates high standards of integrity, trust, openness, and respect for others. Demonstrates integrity by maintaining necessary confidentiality.
• Seeks to understand and meets and/or exceeds the needs and expectations of customers.
• Treats customers with respect, responding to requests in a professional manner, even in difficult circumstances.

Knowledge of:

• Has knowledge and applies appropriate methods related to monitoring child care providers and programs. Develops plans and training programs to improve the quality of child care providers and programs.
• Has knowledge of principles, theories, concepts and practices of early childhood development encompassing infant through school age youth.
• Is up-to-date early childhood education legislature and initiatives, Muckleshoot culture and language, and ongoing monitoring.

Ability to:

• Possesses or is capable of developing the specific knowledge and technical abilities to succeed in the specified position.
• Carries out, completes, and follows up on work that is performed.
• Shows understanding, courtesy, tact, empathy, and concern to develop and maintain relationships.
• Adapts behavior or work methods in response to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles.
• Possesses the capacities and aptitudes acquired by means of personal or professional experience, which enable functions to be fulfilled, and to deal with situations in the workplace in a professional manner.
• Demonstrates a commitment to quality of public service through statements and actions.
• Provides accurate and timely service.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this class. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear.  The employee is occasionally required to walk; use hands to operate, finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet.

Licenses or Certifications Required

A valid Washington State driver’s license is required at time of appointment or at a time set by the Tribe.