Position: Early Childhood Career Development Specialist 

Reports To: Senior Director, Programs 

Work location: Remote work based in Michigan and travel 25-35% of the time. Travel will be mainly within Michigan with some travel to other geographical areas for projects, ECIC meetings and to meet the organization's needs.

Classification: Full Time, Non-exempt

Position Summary:

We are looking for a dedicated Early Childhood Career Development Specialist to join our team. The ideal candidate will have a strong passion for early childhood education and a deep understanding of the career development needs within this field. The specialist will be responsible for providing career guidance, mentorship, and professional development opportunities to early childhood educators and professionals. This role requires excellent communication and interpersonal skills to build strong relationships with individuals seeking career advancement in the early childhood field. The candidate should also have a solid understanding of educational requirements, licensing, and certification processes relevant to early childhood education. If you are a proactive and empathetic individual who is committed to supporting the growth and development of early childhood professionals, we would love to hear from you. 

Job Requirements:

• Cultivate and manage trusting, collaborative partnerships with internal and external stakeholders. 
• Provide technical assistance and consultation services related to career and workforce development to organizations and individuals, internal and external. 
• Creates, produces, and delivers a range of promotional, educational and informational presentations and/or resource materials related to career pathways in the ECE field. 
• Stay abreast to emerging trends, best practices and research to share with ECE programs and providers. 
• Meet regularly with supervisor, and other ECIC colleagues to provide updates, discuss issues and challenges. 
• Collaborates with Michigan AEYC, TEACH, CDA Council, and other community partners to create strategies to support the workforce. 
• Develops and implements career paths and professionalism information sessions for providers.  
• Other responsibilities as assigned 

Skill, Knowledge and Abilities: 

• Associates degree with three (3) years of experience in relevant field, Bachelor’s preferred. 
• 5-10 years’ work experience, including at least two years in training, facilitation or career consulting role.
• Experience working with early childhood professionals (e.g., training or technical assistance provider, teacher coach, or mentor)
• Strong understanding of the unique needs of Infant and Toddler Teachers.
• Demonstrated commitment to racial equity.
• Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and professionally both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to maintain accuracy and attention to detail while managing multiple tasks, projects, and timelines.
• Knowledge of best practices in early childhood, specifically with infants and toddlers.
• Strong knowledge and/or experience in state quality recognition and improvement systems and effective coaching, mentoring, and adult learning strategies.
• Knowledge of MiRegistry (Michigan’s Professional Development Registry System) and career pathways in ECE 
• Knowledge of EC Credentials, TEACH and CDA requirements and procedures. 
• Strong interpersonal and relationship building skills. Facilitation skills with work groups. 
• Creative, resourceful and forward thinking.
• Ability to conduct relative research and provide written feedback. 
• Ability to partner with racially and ethnically diverse colleagues and community members.
• Ability to use data and analytical skills to proactively identify opportunities, set priorities, and solve problems. 
• Ability to organize, oversee and monitor pilots and/or projects. 
• Detail oriented with a multi-tasking aptitude.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently.
• Proficient in distance learning technologies including conference calls, online meetings, and webinars.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Adobe and web-based applications.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license and vehicle or other ability of travel throughout Michigan, including periodic overnight travel.

Physical Requirements:

• Talking - Expressing or exchanging ideas by the spoken word to impart oral information to others accurately. (4-5 hours daily)
• Hearing - Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make the discriminations sound. (4-5 hours daily)
• Walking - Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another. (2-3 hours daily)
• Standing – In one position, particularly for sustained periods of time. (2-3 hours daily)
• Visual Acuity: Viewing objects with close visual acuity to perform an activity like preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; and/or extensive reading. (4-5 hours daily)
• Office Setting - Sedentary work in which exerting up to 10 pounds of force is occasional and a negligible amount of force is frequently or constantly used to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time.

Work Location: Work remotely and travel 25-35% of the time. Travel will be mainly within Michigan with some travel to other geographical areas for projects, ECIC meetings and to meet the organization's needs.