STARS Technical Assistant Coach

STARS TA Coach, State College/Selinsgrove Pa Area

Department/s ELRC

FLSA Classification Exempt

Reports to STARS Manager/Assistant ELRC Director

Primary Contacts CCC staff and board members, Certification staff, PA Key staff, Early Learning program owners, administrators, and staff, other community agency representatives

Job summary

The TA Coach works under the general supervision of the STARS Manager, to provide specialized Coaching, professional development, and technical assistance to Keystone STARS sites. While a major role of the TA Coach is to act as a valuable resource to ECE programs, the scope of the work should be seen as a parallel, collaborative effort between programs and coaches. The position requires frequent travel throughout all counties served in all ELRC regions. The TA Coach holds and demonstrates a strong belief in the mission and vision of the Keystone STARS program and all CCC programs. This description is an outline of job duties, tasks, and functions, is not exhaustive and/or all-inclusive, and is subject to change.

Summary of job responsibilities

Maintains a thorough understanding of and ability to interpret STARS standards in keeping with OCDEL policies and guidelines.

Develops and maintains positive, productive, and professional relationships with Keystone STARS programs.

Provides Coaching, training, targeted technical assistance, and referrals to other agencies to providers who need support as identified by OCDEL Certification, Quality Coaches, and/or Program Quality Assessment reports. Areas of support could include Regulatory Referral, Supervision, Curriculum, Assessment, Classroom Management, Social Emotional, Business Practices, DAP, and/or other supports as requested.

Develops and monitors individualized improvement plans based on the STAR levels to help ensure continual quality improvement; inform programs of available resources such as trainings, additional grants, or consultants.

In collaboration with other CCC staff, identifies and recruits STARS facilities to participate in targeted coaching and consultation. Works with STARS Manager and Team Leads to determine appropriate prioritization strategies.

Maintains frequent regular communication and collaboration with STARS Quality Coaches and other STARS staff regarding the progress and needs of programs currently receiving services.

Designs an infrastructure of supports (e.g., resource library, networking opportunities, mentors, resource lists) that meet the needs of ECE professionals. Distributes resource materials to meet the specific needs of the programs.

Plans and leads Roundtables, Communities of Practice, and professional development on a variety of topics.

Maintains frequent contact and communication with programs assigned through email, telephone calls, and visits

Works collaboratively with other Technical Assistance, Program Quality Assessors, OCDEL Certification staff, Infant Early Childhood Mental Health, Pre-K Counts, and other partners to provide coordinated services to programs.

Maintains current and accurate records using PELICAN, PA PD Registry, and internal spreadsheets, and completes assigned reports on a timely basis.

Actively works to maintain awareness of current national, state, and local trends and changes in early education and school-age care needs.

Represents CCC on identified state committees and workgroups.

Represents CCC at AEYC, PACCA, conferences, and other provider organizations/groups & community events; networks with other agencies and works collaboratively with Community Groups.

Attends seminars, training courses and conferences related to STARS program and ECE.

Attends and participates in agency, department, and other meetings.

Promotes and supports the mission, values, and goals of CCC, maintaining high performance standards.

Core Competencies

Practices curiosity, openness, presence (aspects of the coaching mindset)

Self-Awareness of how to show up as a leader.

Willing to utilize reflection to grow as a member of the team and as a leader.

Wiling to grow and develop in the coaching skillset.

Ability to foster team building and to work effectively in various roles on a team.

Deep understanding of the daily operations and challenges of early care and education and school age programs

Ability to understand, analyze, and make recommendations for systems improvement.

Extensive knowledge of PA early education system, including Certification requirements, Child Care Works, PA Pre-K Counts, Head Start State Supplemental Assistance Program, Early Intervention, and others

Knowledge of early childhood mental health issues and supports, child development, developmentally appropriate early childhood education, PA’s Early Learning Standards, STARS Standards, CQI, grant processes, and ability to effectively communicate this information to providers by utilizing a coaching model.

Ability to communicate effectively (both verbally and in writing) and work productively with a diverse population of internal and external clients.

Excellent communication skills, including telephone etiquette, listening skills, and the ability to respond sensitively and empathetically to the needs of others.

Ability to prioritize competing demands effectively and appropriately.

Ability to independently plan, organize, and complete assigned work correctly and professionally within specified time frames.

Ability to take initiative and work independently and be a good team player.

Excellent organizational skills and the ability to excel at details and work under pressure.

Understanding of confidentiality issues and ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality in all working relationships.

Demonstrates a commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion principles and adherence to CCC’s DEI policy statement.

Demonstrates a commitment to safety and compliance.

Exhibits sound decision making.

Ability to work collaboratively with ECE programs to support efforts to increase quality and STAR levels or maintain a STAR 3 or STAR 4.

Ability to work effectively with others including CCC staff, providers, OCDEL, PA Key, PDE, ELRCs, PDOs, and community partners.

Ability to handle a high volume of providers in a professional manner with a focus on providing excellent customer service.

Ability to enter, manipulate and retrieve data in the PA PD Registry, PELICAN and Excel.

Proficient computer skills in word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations (MSOffice preferred)

Ability to input, access, manipulate, and retrieve information from a computer and use a mobile telephone.

Ability to travel independently, with a reliable form of transportation, throughout CCC’s service area in Pennsylvania. Occasional overnights.

Normal physical demands associated with work in an office environment, including lifting, bending, and carrying.

Minimum qualifications and experience

Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field, as defined by the PA Keys Quality Career Pathways

PQAS Certified Instructor preferred (must obtain within six months of start if not current at time of hire)

Related experience in early care and education, preferably in a leadership role.

Experience at a Keystone STARS facility strongly preferred.

Bilingual in Spanish preferred

Work schedule

Rotation Schedule: Weeks 1, 2, 3 – 40+ hours/week Mon. – Fri.

Week 4 – 30+ hours/week Mon. – Thurs.

Some evenings and weekends

CCC is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Accordingly, all terms and conditions of employment will be carried out without regard to race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, marital status, age, disability, genetic information, veteran or family status or any other status or condition protected by applicable state or federal law except where a bona fide occupational qualification applies.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $45,000.00 - $50,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: Remote