Lead Early Childhood Specialist

About Us

At the Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida, we believe early learning changes lives, and strong communities make that possible. Serving Collier, Glades, Hendry, and Lee counties, we work to ensure children have access to high-quality early learning experiences that prepare them for lifelong success.

We are currently seeking two passionate, collaborative, and experienced professionals to join our team as Lead Early Childhood Specialists. These roles play a vital part in supporting early learning providers through coaching, quality improvement, compliance monitoring, and professional development to help ensure children receive safe, nurturing, and high-quality early education experiences throughout our communities.

Position Summary

The Lead Early Childhood Specialist performs advanced technical, administrative, and field-based activities in support of the Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida (ELC). This role is responsible for promoting high-quality early learning environments and ensuring contracted providers maintain compliance with School Readiness (SR), Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK), and applicable regulatory requirements.

The position focuses on program quality improvement through provider monitoring, classroom assessments, coaching, mentoring, training, and technical assistance. The Lead Early Childhood Specialist partners closely with early learning providers to support compliance, strengthen instructional practices, and enhance outcomes for children and families across the region.

This role requires a high level of professionalism, independent judgment, and relationship management skills. Work is performed with minimal supervision and moderate latitude for initiative and decision-making. The position relies on experience and knowledge of early childhood practices, policies, and procedures to determine effective approaches for provider support, compliance monitoring, and operational success.

The ideal candidate is knowledgeable in early childhood education and quality assessment practices, highly organized, collaborative, adaptable, and capable of balancing field work, provider engagement, compliance responsibilities, and training facilitation in a dynamic environment.

Key Responsibilities:

Provider Onboarding & Contract Administration

• Onboards new providers, including setting up profiles in digital systems and adding providers to monitor records
• Notifies necessary departments and initiates provider contracts and amendments
• Conducts provider orientation and supports onboarding processes
• May initiate annual contracting activities to ensure contracts and amendments are complete and approved
• Facilitates and supports the early learning provider eligibility process

Provider Monitoring & Compliance

• Monitors School Readiness (SR) and Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) providers/programs to ensure compliance with regulations
• Travels to provider locations to conduct monitoring visits and observations
• Performs contract monitoring activities and monitors grant adherence and reporting requirements
• Issues notices of non-compliance, Plans of Correction, and Probationary Status related to DCF inspection violations and VPK compliance issues
• Monitors corrective action plans, probation statuses, and follow-up requirements
• Escalates unresolved non-compliance issues to appropriate ELC staff
• Provides technical assistance and specialized compliance-related training as needed

Assessment, Coaching & Quality Improvement

• Conducts comprehensive assessments for SR and VPK programs through site visits and classroom observations
• Completes and digitally records assessment reports and findings
• Uses assessment scoring tools while achieving and maintaining reliability standards
• Plans and provides mentoring and coaching based on assessment outcomes
• Provides internal and external coaching related to assessment tools and quality improvement practices
• Mentors potential early learning providers

Training & Professional Development

• Develops and conducts training sessions for providers in various formats, including in-person, virtual, phone, and email
• Provides ongoing support and education on early childhood topics, including:
• Classroom and behavior management
• Curriculum development
• Developmentally appropriate learning environments
• Language, literacy, and math concepts
• CLASS Group Coaching
• Childhood trauma and social-emotional support
• Maintains required certifications, including CLASS Infant, Toddler, and Pre-K Observer certifications
• Participates in and facilitates workshops, trainings, and certification programs

Data Management & Reporting

• Maintains provider data and records within the provider portal and related systems
• Generates reports and maintains accurate documentation of provider activities and assessments
• Records and tracks provider communications, complaints, and follow-up activities
• Maintains confidentiality and security of sensitive information and records in accordance with organizational protocols

Provider & Family Support

• Responds to inquiries, concerns, and complaints from providers and families in accordance with established standards
• Resolves sensitive or complex issues professionally and effectively
• Ensures providers receive consistent support and guidance
• Builds positive working relationships with providers and community stakeholders

Operational & Organizational Support

• Performs duties of higher-level service area positions as needed to support uninterrupted operations
• Maintains the ability and means to travel regularly throughout multiple counties for field work
• Follows organizational, OSHA, and public safety guidelines and protocols
• Reports suspected fraud or abuse to ELC Risk Management when infractions are identified
• Supports organizational goals, mission, and culture through collaboration and teamwork
• Demonstrates cultural competency and sensitivity to diverse populations and backgrounds

Collaboration & Relationship Management

• Establishes and maintains collaborative relationships with colleagues, providers, and stakeholders
• Promotes trust, teamwork, and organizational cohesion
• Supports cross-functional communication and coordination across departments

Supervision & Staff Support

• Schedules, trains, and motivates personnel
• Coordinates and provides staff training and development opportunities
• Works with employees to address and correct performance deficiencies
• Provides guidance and oversight to individual contributors to accomplish operational goals and objectives

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Special Education, Child Development, Human Development, Psychology, Social Work, or a related field
• Four (4) years of directly related experience, including at least one (1) year as an Early Childhood Specialist II and/or conducting observation-based classroom assessments using designated assessment tools such as CLASS Infant, CLASS Toddler, or CLASS Pre-K
• Equivalent combinations of education, certifications, training, and experience may be considered
• Participation in and successful completion of ELC-sponsored certification activities is required, including:
• CLASS Infant Observer Certification
• CLASS Toddler Observer Certification
• CLASS Pre-K Observer Certification
• Valid State of Florida Driver License required
• Proof of automobile insurance required
• Ability to secure transportation through an authorized car rental agency as needed

Preferred Qualifications

• Two (2) years of experience as an Early Childhood Specialist II
• Coaching Certification preferred
• Community of Practice Facilitator Certification preferred
• International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) Trainer Certification preferred

Other Employment Requirements

Employment in this position is contingent upon successfully authorizing, completing, and maintaining the following:

• Level 2 Criminal History Record Check in accordance with State of Florida Statutes
• Employment eligibility verification through the State of Florida E-Verify system
• Drug screening and testing requirements
• Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) review with no record of criminal driving offenses or license suspension in accordance with organizational standards and policies

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Successful candidates will demonstrate:

• Working knowledge of child development principles and best practices in early childhood education programs
• Knowledge of classroom observation methods, assessment practices, and the use of designated assessment tools, including CLASS Infant, Toddler, and Pre-K
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, and Excel, and the ability to quickly learn specialized organizational software and systems
• Ability to analyze information, apply reasoning skills, and coordinate multiple responsibilities efficiently while minimizing duplication of effort
• Strong mathematical and data interpretation skills required for reporting, assessments, and documentation
• Effective presentation, facilitation, and training skills with the ability to adapt communication styles to different audiences and learning needs
• Strong conflict resolution and problem-solving skills with the ability to address sensitive situations professionally and constructively
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions with strong attention to detail and follow-through
• Ability to establish and maintain positive, collaborative working relationships with providers, families, colleagues, community stakeholders, and individuals from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds
• Strong organizational, time management, and prioritization skills in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to maintain professionalism, sound judgment, and confidentiality when handling sensitive information and records
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while exercising initiative and good decision-making
• Reliable attendance and punctuality in support of operational and provider needs
• Ability and means to travel independently and frequently throughout the service area to conduct field work and provider visits

Work Schedule

Hours of operation are Wednesday through Tuesday (weekdays), 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (40-hours); evening and weekend hours may be required.

Physical Requirements

This position requires the ability to perform light physical activities, including lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling objects weighing up to 20 pounds. Duties may involve walking, standing, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or other physical movement associated with conducting field work and provider site visits.

Environmental Requirements

Work is performed in both office and field environments, including provider locations throughout the service area. Field work may involve exposure to varying environmental conditions, including heat, rain, dirt, fumes, and other outdoor elements.

Sensory Requirements

This position requires manual dexterity, visual acuity, and hearing ability sufficient to perform essential job functions. Responsibilities may include observing classroom environments, identifying visual cues and signals, distinguishing colors, and effectively communicating information both verbally and in writing.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on children, families, and early learning providers throughout Southwest Florida by supporting high-quality early childhood education and strengthening school readiness across our communities.

If you thrive in relationship-building, coaching and mentoring, program quality improvement, compliance monitoring, and supporting early childhood professionals in a dynamic and mission-driven environment, we encourage you to apply.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides reasonable accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

How to Apply

Apply through Indeed with your resume.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $49,440.00 - $55,620.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person