Job Function: The role of the Professional Development Specialist (PDS) is to support/assist childcare educators in their participation in the training registry, developing professional development goals and accessing educational opportunities to improve their knowledge, skills, and abilities in working with young children.  This position is expected to work approximately 20% of the time in the field (childcare, preschool centers, and outreach) and approximately 80% of the time performing administrative and other necessary duties.

Specific Job Duties:

The specifics of the duties and responsibilities of this position will include but not be limited to the following:

• Offer support and guidance to educators who want to engage in professional development.
• Set up meetings and appointments with childcare practitioners via phone or on-line to review current educational background, transcript of education, and create a professional development plan with the practitioner.
• Receive and process requests for scholarships by educators and/or programs in Miami-Dade County, as well as follow through with acceptance, rejection, or missing information to complete application.
• Document contacts with childcare educators indicating progress towards initial meetings to development of the professional development plan in PDR.
• Assist childcare educators in locating appropriate educational institutions based on career goals, preparing applications, and filing paperwork as needed for scholarship requests or for enrolling in credit-based or CEU coursework.
• Provide information for childcare educators to educational institutions for the purposes of enrollment, familiarizing educators with the campuses, and accessing all forms of financial aid as appropriate.
• Maintain close communications with other program partners in accessing resources for childcare practitioners (T.E.A.C.H. scholarship program, educator salary supplements, other scholarship resources and incentives, etc.).
• Assist childcare educators in accessing their training records and information from the DCF database.
• Provide adequate advising based on PDS knowledge of state and local education requirements either in person or remotely.
• Assist educators in obtaining translation of transcripts as needed.
• Monitor the progress of childcare educators towards meeting education and training goals.
• Monitor performance targets and maintain documentation as needed in PDR.
• Complete “request for scholarship” process to submit for approval to access Children’s Trust scholarship resources (only when other resources are unavailable to pay for these costs).
• Develop cooperative working relationships with other community partners (QRIS partners, ELC of Miami-Dade, DCF licensing counselors, community partners, etc.) to reduce duplication of effort and ensure that all resources are maximized for the benefit of the childcare practitioner.
• Maintain accurate records of expenses, activities, etc. and submit required documentation as needed.
• Utilize virtual resources to support educator PD needs.

Education: A bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited university or college in early childhood, child development, or related field.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• must be able to read and comprehend written materials.
• should be computer proficient, particularly with Microsoft Office Suite computer software products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook)
• should be able to research and access educational and training resources in the community and other community resources to assist practitioners.
• should possess good interpersonal skills, be able to work with others in a collegial environment, and support / celebrate the accomplishments of others. 
• should have a thorough understanding of the childcare and early learning field and early childhood development.
• should possess good skills in working with adults.
• should be organized and able to effectively manage time.
• should be a self-starter and possess initiative.