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TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SPECIALISTS

New Jersey – Central & Northeast Regions

Prevent Child Abuse – New Jersey is the statewide leader in the prevention of child abuse and neglect and the promotion of healthy childhoods for all of New Jersey’s children. With over 35 years of programming experience, we are proud to have been selected for a special 5 year grant by New Jersey’s Division of Family Development to provide technical assistance to programs participating in Grow NJ Kids, New Jersey’s Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS). The objectives of this program are to increase the quality of early care and education for all NJ children.

PCA-NJ has been selected to provide comprehensive technical assistance (TA) services, support the early care and education programs and providers participating in Grow NJ Kids to continuously improve their programs and collaborate with other key quality partners in order to meet Grow NJ Kids standards for the Central and Northeast Regions in New Jersey.

Technical Assistance Specialist Position

The Technical Assistance Specialist is responsible for implementing the comprehensive technical assistance provided to programs participating in Grow NJ Kids.  Responsibilities include providing comprehensive technical assistance and coaching to support infant, toddler and preschool programs and family-care providers to support their progression through the Grow NJ Kids standards, relationship building with early care and education personnel, and ensuring all programs are strengthened and supported throughout the GROW NJ quality rating and improvement process.

Major Responsibilities will include:

  • Provide guidance to early childhood education programs as they complete the Grow NJ Kids self-assessment
  • Assist early childhood education programs in identifying goals and assessing the program’s strengths & challenges
  • Assist programs through the development of a quality improvement plan, approvals of incentives, and rating request.
  • Support, mentor and coach Program Directors and Administrators and Family Child Care Providers to help them move successfully through the GROW NJ Kids quality rating and improvement system standards. This includes providing on-site individualized technical assistance, developing tools/resource kits, collecting and analyzing Strengthening Families Protective Factors data, assisting the site with using the data and adhering to a Coaching Assessment Protocol.
  • Attend training to become certified and/or reliable raters in developmental screening tools, Environmental Rating Scales (ECERS), ITERS), Program Administration Scale (PAS), Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS)
  • Develop an inventory of best practices in the 5 categories of Safe, Healthy Learning Environments, Curriculum and Learning Environment, Family and Community Engagement, Workforce/Professional Development and Program Administration and Management
  • Assist in the development and facilitation of webinars, community of practice networking meetings, etc.
  • Maintain site visit calendars to ensure obligations are efficiently planned, executed and met with quality

SKILLS and KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED INCLUDE:

  • Bi-lingual English/Spanish preferred
  • Demonstrated experience & proficiency in the following areas: •Infant/toddler – understanding of the Birth to Three Early Learning guidelines, knowledge of the Infant Toddler Environment Rating Scale and infant toddler criteria
  • Preschool classroom expertise – understanding of the NJ Preschool Teaching and Learning Standards, preschool curricula and Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale
  • Early Childhood Program Management – familiar with best business practices and/or the Program Administration Scale
  • Family Engagement expertise – familiarity with Strengthening Families Protective Factors Framework (self-assessment, improvement planning, protective factors survey), home visiting, and parent representation on community councils
  • An understanding of Grow NJ Kids quality rating and improvement system that includes expertise related to content knowledge, planning, process and topical subjects
  • Knowledge and understanding of developmental screenings and working with children with special needs, inclusion practices, intervention strategies for children with challenging behaviors, national health and safety standards, nutrition and special diets, and higher level early childhood curriculum expertise
  • Demonstrated mastery in program planning, development and implementation
  • Demonstrated competency in community organization and collaboration building

QUALIFICATIONS INCLUDE:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood (or related field) and 3+ years’ experience providing professional development to other adults, early childcare & education and children & families
  • Two (2) years of experience working as a teacher or primary care provider in an early childhood setting preferred.
  • Demonstration through certification, endorsement, or 3+ years practical experience in one of the following areas: •Learning Environment and Curriculum
  • Family & Community Engagement
  • Child Growth & Development: Infant/Toddler Mental Health
  • Program Organization & Management: Health, Safety, and Nutrition
  • Special Education and/or Inclusion
  • Family Childcare

Preference will be given to those meeting the criteria of PINJ’s Technical Assistance Specialist within the NJ Registry Instructor Approval System

OTHER CONDITIONS:

Travel throughout the state of New Jersey will be necessary; with a focus on Middlesex, Mercer, Monmouth, Ocean and Somerset Counties for the Central Region and a focus on Essex and Hudson counties in the Northeast Region. Hours may need to be flexible to allow for evening and weekend work, in training, site visits or related activities.

TO APPLY:

Please submit resume and cover letter explaining your interest in the position, why you are a strong candidate for consideration, and salary history/expectations to [email protected]  In the subject line be sure to include TA Specialist – GNJK along with the region in which you are interested (Central or Northeast).

Prevent Child Abuse New Jersey is an Equal Opportunity Employer

 

BILINGUAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SPECIALISTS – FAMILY CHILDCARE

Central and Northeast New Jersey

Prevent Child Abuse – New Jersey is the statewide leader in the prevention of child abuse and neglect and the promotion of healthy childhoods for all of New Jersey’s children. With over 35 years of programming experience, we are proud to have been selected for a special 5 year grant by New Jersey’s Division of Family Development to provide technical assistance to programs participating in Grow NJ Kids, New Jersey’s Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS). PCA-NJ has been selected to provide comprehensive technical assistance (TA) services to Family Childcare programs and the objectives of this program are to increase the quality of early care and education for all NJ children.

The Technical Assistance Specialist – Family Childcare is responsible for providing comprehensive technical assistance and coaching to support family-childcare providers in their progression through the Grow NJ Kids standards, relationship building with staff, and ensuring all programs are strengthened and supported throughout the GROW NJ quality rating and improvement process. Anticipated outcomes include positively impacting the quality of early childhood programs resulting in more effective staff, an increase in parental involvement, and ultimately improved childhood outcomes.

Major Responsibilities will include:

  • Support, mentor and coach Family Child Care Providers to help them move successfully through the GROW NJ Kids quality rating and improvement system standards. This includes providing on-site individualized technical assistance, developing tools/resource kits, collecting and analyzing Strengthening Families Protective Factors data, assisting the site with using the data and adhering to a Coaching Assessment Protocol.
  • Provide guidance to the participating early childhood education program as they complete the Grow NJ Kids Self-Assessment.
  • Assist participating programs in identifying goals and assessing the program’s strengths and challenges.
  • Assist participating programs through the development of a quality improvement plan, approvals of incentives, and rating request.
  • Attend training to become certified and/or reliable raters in developmental screening tool(s), and Family Child Care Environmental Rating Scales (FCCERS),
  • Use skills and knowledge gained in training to enhance TA services provided.
  • Develop an inventory of best practices in the 5 categories Safe, Healthy Learning Environments, Curriculum and Learning Environment, Family and Community Engagement, Workforce/Professional Development and Program Administration and Management.
  • Assist in the development and facilitation of webinars, peer learning communities, newsletters, and networking meetings.
  • Maintain site visit calendars to ensure obligations are efficiently planned, executed and met with quality.
  • Work collaboratively with key stakeholders in region and statewide to promote & support GROW NJ Kids implementation. This includes facilitating ongoing relationships with Central Intake, County Councils for Young Children, NJ Division of Family Development, Professional Impact NJ, William Paterson University, Grow NJ Kids programs and other school and community based agencies.
  • Represent the program both outside and inside the agency.
  • Monitor each program’s/providers activities and progress.
  • Submit monthly data reports.
  • Fulfill other duties as assigned.

Skills and Knowledge Required Include:

  • Bilingual English/Spanish
  • Demonstrated experience & proficiency in the following areas:
    • Infant/toddler – understanding of the Birth to Three Early Learning guidelines, knowledge of the Infant Toddler Environment Rating Scale and infant toddler criteria
    • Preschool classroom expertise – understanding of the NJ Preschool Teaching and Learning Standards, preschool curricula and Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale
    • Early Childhood Program Management – familiar with best business practices and/or the Program Administration Scale
    • Family Engagement expertise – familiarity with Strengthening Families Protective Factors Framework (self-assessment, improvement planning, protective factors survey), home visiting, and parent representation on community councils
  • An understanding of Grow NJ Kids quality rating and improvement system that includes related content knowledge, planning expertise, process expertise and topical expertise
  • Familiarity with the Manual of Requirements for Family Child Care Registration
  • Knowledge and understanding of developmental screenings and working with children with special needs, inclusion practices, intervention strategies for children with challenging behaviors, national health and safety standards, nutrition and special diets, and higher level early childhood curriculum expertise
  • Strong written and oral communication skills.
  • Ability to comfortably enter the homes of others.
  • Proven ability to build relationships with persons at all levels.
  • Awareness of and sensitivity to cultural diversity and its impact on planning and provision of services.
  • Demonstrated expertise in program planning, development and implementation.
  • Demonstrated expertise in community organization and collaboration building.
  • Demonstrated ability to problem solve independently.
  • Computer proficiency.
  • Highly organized, motivated and flexible.

Qualifications Include:

Education and Work Experience: A Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education (or related field) and 3+ years’ experience with family childcare, home visitation and/or children and families. Experience providing professional development to other adults is required.

Candidates must be able to demonstrate expertise through certification, endorsement, or practical experience in one of the following content areas: Learning Environment and Curriculum; Family and Community Engagement; Child Growth and Development: Infant/Toddler Mental Health; Program Organization and Management: Health, Safety and Nutrition; Special Education and/or Inclusion; Family Childcare

Preference will be given to those meeting the criteria of PINJ’s Technical Assistance Specialist within the NJ Registry Instructor Approval System.

Bilingual English/Spanish required

Other Conditions:

Travel throughout the state of New Jersey will be necessary with a focus on Essex & Hudson counties in Northeast NJ and Middlesex, Mercer, Monmouth, Ocean and Somerset Counties in Central NJ. Hours may need to be flexible to allow for evening and weekend work, in training, site visits or related activities.

TO APPLY:

Please submit resume and cover letter explaining your interest in the position, why you are a strong candidate for consideration, and salary history/expectations along with a writing sample to:

[email protected]

In the subject line be sure to include “TA Specialist FCC – GNJK” along with the region in which you are interested (Central or Northeast).

Prevent Child Abuse New Jersey is an Equal Opportunity Employer