Program Specialist (Early Childhood)

Company: University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Location: Greensboro
Posted on: January 8, 2021

Job Description:

Position Number:013729Functional Title:Program Specialist (Early Childhood)Position Type:ResearchPosition Eclass:EP - EHRA 12 mo leave earningUniversity Information:UNC Greensboro, located in the Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina, is 1 of only 57 doctoral institutions recognized by the Carnegie Foundation for both higher research activity and community engagement. Founded in 1891 and one of the original three UNC System institutions, UNC Greensboro is one of the most diverse universities in the state with 20,000+ students, and 3,000+ faculty and staff members representing 90+ nationalities. With 17 Division I athletic teams, 85 undergraduate degrees in over 125 areas of study, as well as 74 master's and 32 doctoral programs, UNC Greensboro is consistently recognized nationally among the top universities for academic excellence and value, with noted strengths in health and wellness, visual and performing arts, nursing, education, and more. For additional information, please visit uncg.edu and follow UNCG on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.Primary Purpose of the Organizational Unit:The SERVE Center is a university-based research, development, dissemination, evaluation, and technical assistance center. Through customized research and evaluation services, SERVE delivers actionable insights for both policymakers and practitioners. From large-scale experimental studies to small-scale qualitative work on topics ranging from early childhood to high school reform, SERVE builds the capacity of educators and policymakers to improve educational outcomes for students of all ages.Position Summary:This position will provide support, technical assistance, and policy guidance across early learning projects and specifically to low performing schools and districts identified by Region 6 Comprehensive Center SEAS in GA, NC, and SC. Intentional support is needed to ensure children reach their optimal development and experience school success as these schools typically serve high need students. Furthermore, achievement gaps form prior to kindergarten entry and widen during the elementary grades. Thus, the focus on strengthening the preschool through third grade continuum is crucial as the early years define third grade outcomes and can predict future academic achievement and career success.The position will be responsible for supporting low performing schools and districts, to include specific strategies for improving early learning in local school improvement plans. This position will also work to support the inclusion of early learning in the comprehensive needs assessment process. Technical assistance will be provided to the SEA and LEAs to assist in providing high quality services using recommended practices based on current research. Areas of focus are evidence based instructional practices, program development, professional development, overall program quality, and cross agency collaboration.The Program Specialist position for early childhood education will be responsible for assisting with capacity building efforts across the three R6CC states, including: designing and implementing professional development and training experiences, assisting with the development of products to disseminate research-based information, assisting with State projects, and providing technical assistance to SEAs and LEAs.The Early Childhood Program Specialist will be expected to have experience working in PreK-12 education (with significant experience in early childhood programming); strong interpersonal and oral/written communication skills; comfort with educational research; demonstrated technical assistance ability; and knowledge and experience working with diverse communities and settings.This position will be a full-time employee of the Region Six Comprehensive Center at the SERVE Center at UNC-Greensboro and will be based at the SERVE office located in Browns Summit, NC.Minimum Qualifications:* Masters Degree in educational field, with three (3) or more years progressively responsible educational experience.* General knowledge of implementing federally-funded programs to support K-12 education, including SEAs, LEAs, and schools.* Experience with supporting low-performing, high-poverty, and/or rural school initiatives and efforts.* Experience in researching, writing, and editing publications.* Experience in meeting planning and facilitation.* Experience in developing materials and products for training and professional development offerings, and for broad dissemination.* Experience in the use of technology to support communication (e.g., websites, listservs) and virtual professional learning (e.g., webinars, online communities).* Experience with MS Word, PowerPoint, and other applications for developing and preparing materials for meetings, professional learning events, and for online and print publication.* Strong interpersonal and communication skills.* Strong teamwork, leadership, and organizational skills.* Ability to work effectively within a collaborative team of colleagues.* Sensitivity in working with diverse groups.Special Instructions to Applicants:Applicants are required to upload the following documents with their electronic application:* Resume* Cover Letter* List of ReferencesApplicants are required to upload a list of references of at least three (3) professional references that includes:* Name* Company Name* Type of reference (Professional, Supervisor, Colleague, Academic or Personal). One (1) of those references will need to be a current or previous supervisor.* Email Address* Contact Phone NumberApplications are not successfully submitted until an online confirmation number has been received at the end of the application process.Recruitment Range:Commensurate with ExperienceOrg #-Department:SERVE - 12004Job Open Date:11/17/2020Open Until Filled:YesFTE:1.000Type of Appointment:PermanentNumber of Months per Year:12FLSA:ExemptPercentage Of Time:50%Key Responsibility:Capacity Building Efforts across R6CC statesEssential Tasks:Responsibilities include collaborating with SEA Principal Liaisons and other service providers to develop and deliver materials for Technical Assistance activities, meetings, conference presentations, and training and professional development events related to early childhood education.Percentage Of Time:25%Key Responsibility:Early Childhood ResearchEssential Tasks:Research relevant early childhood topics as identified by SEA services staff. Responsibilities include assisting with conducting early childhood programming readiness assessments/needs assessments (e.g., focus groups, interviews, surveys) at the school, district, or SEA level and summarizing data; conducting literature searches; assisting with compilation and analysis of research information and synthesizing for reports, training materials, or publications.Percentage Of Time:20%Key Responsibility:Virtual Technical AssistanceEssential Tasks:Support of virtual technical assistance and communication activities (e.g., webinars, virtual communities). Responsibilities include assisting with managing technologies; organizing events and coordinating with subject matter experts; and collecting attendance and satisfaction data.Percentage Of Time:5%Key Responsibility:Other DutiesEssential Tasks:Other duties as assigned.Physical Effort:Reading, Writing, Hearing, Talking, Walking, Lifting-0-30 lbs.

Keywords: University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro , Program Specialist (Early Childhood), Other , Greensboro, North Carolina