The Quality Support Specialist will support childcare programs and providers to improve their quality through recruitment, assessment, coaching, mentoring, training, monitoring, and technical assistance. This position will use research-based observations, data, and assessments to help develop quality improvement plans and plans of action to build on the early care and education program’s current practices and skills. 

Learn more about YMCA Childcare Resource Services programs CLICK HERE 

For more on Employee Perks, click on this link: Employee Benefits | YMCA of San Diego County (ymcasd.org) 

SCHEDULE: 

• Standard Monday through Friday work schedule, with flexibility and availability to work evenings and weekends approximately 4 to 6 times per month

WORK DESIGNATION: 

• Remote (must work within San Diego County Region) 
• Approximately 6 in-person meetings/trainings per month
  
  • Please note that the work designation may change based on business needs. 

PROGRAM SUMMARY: 

The Preventive Health and Safety program is funded to provide health and safety trainings to child care professionals in San Diego, Imperial and Orange County.

• Manage daily operations of quality improvement contracts, including participant tracking, observations, evaluations, coaching, technical assistance, and one-on-one supports
• Utilize data management systems to input coaching, site visits, technical assistance, professional development, family engagement, and program-level data for tracking contract compliance and continuous quality improvement for each early care and education program
• Conduct outreach, including coordinating and facilitating events, to recruit early care and education programs for Quality Improvement activities, collaborating with the Marketing Department; Share expertise by presenting at conferences and community meetings; Attend community meetings to network and foster relationships that contribute to strengthening families
• Generate data-driven reports, analyze trends, and develop an understanding of program activities and structures to meet contract requirements; Write narrative reports, including necessary data, to fulfill contract and agency requirements
• Provide on-site coaching and technical assistance to early care and education programs, following established protocols
• Develop and conduct trainings for early care and education programs, focusing on topics that enhance quality programs, including assessment and observation tools, as well as best practices
• Develop individualized Quality Improvement Plan or individualized plan for each program/classroom/agency/site, using research-based observation tools to enhance the environment, interactions, processes, and assessment scores; Monitor the progress of each Quality Improvement Plan or plan of action through site visits, coaching observations, and technical assistance visits
• Maintain positive relationships with collaborative service providers, promptly responding to their needs and keeping them informed of any changes or updates
• Conduct Environment Rating Scale and/or CLASS assessments, including observation, scoring, reporting results, and assisting agencies with assessment completion; Maintain certification on Environment Rating Scale or CLASS tools, maintaining passing scores on annual reliability and mid-year calibrations

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Must have access to reliable transportation to travel throughout San Diego County 

• Bachelor’s degree in child development, human services, or related field or four (4) years’ equivalent related experience required AND,
• A minimum of three (3) years’ work experience required in:
  • A minimum of two (2) years’ experience in training, coaching, or providing services within early care and education settings serving children 0-8 years of age
  • One (1) year of experience analyzing data to provide individualized technical support
• Bilingual in Spanish

JOB COMPETENCIES:

• Familiarity with the cognitive, physical, social, emotional, and linguistic/language development of children from birth to age five
• Knowledge of child growth and development, including child nutrition, physical activity, and overall wellness, as well as developmentally appropriate practices, activity planning for young children, and adult learning styles and principles
• Knowledge of community resources available to childcare providers and families, including organizations, community agencies, websites, and projects
• Specialized knowledge and/or expertise in an area of childcare quality
• Strong organizational and communication skills and the ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Experience working with diverse populations and understanding the importance of cultural sensitivity and effective strategies for Dual Language Learners
• Ability to manage and complete program goals according to timelines and to follow standard operating procedures
• Ability to develop and conduct quality training in various settings to all types of early care and education providers and families
• Capable of maintaining a standing or sitting position for extended periods and performing tasks that involve bending, stretching, reaching, and lifting
• Flexibility to accommodate a varied schedule, including alternating workdays, weekends, and evenings as needed to meet the requirements of the position

PRE-HIRE CONTINGENCIES:

• Licensing, state law and our funders require that applicants of critical positions within Community Support Services be fingerprinted, prior to reporting to work, and include subsequent arrest notifications
• CPR/AED, and First Aid Certification, must include Adult and Child/Infant, obtained within 30 days of hire, and must be from one of the following certifying organizations: American Red Cross, American Heart Association, or American Safety and Health Institute
• Position may require additional clearances in order to comply with all program, licensing, state law, and funding requirements:
  • Negative TB test results obtained within the past one year, prior to first day, and annually thereafter, as required
  • Exclusion and Debarment checks prior to first day and monthly thereafter

YMCA will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the San Diego County Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if the YMCA is concerned about conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the opportunity to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Ordinance by visiting the San Diego County Office of Labor Standards and Enforcement.