Position Title: Early Childhood Education Support Specialist
Department: Early Childhood Education
Employee Status: Professional Staff Association /Full-time/Grant Funded through 2024
Grade: A
Target Salary Range: $40,000 - $42,000

To save time applying, Rock Valley College does not offer sponsorship of job applicants for employment-based visas for this position at this time.

Reporting Relationship
Reports to: Dean of Arts & Social Sciences

Job Summary: The Early Childhood Education (ECE) Support Specialist is responsible for providing targeted support for ECE students seeking to obtain ECE stackable credentials and/or complete an AAS degree in Early Childhood Education. The ECE Support Specialist actively engages students as a mentor, liaison, and key resource person from recruitment through graduation or transfer to a baccalaureate program. The ECE Support Specialist has significant accountability in sustaining the College’s focus on student learning and achievement, specifically supporting students seeking Early Childhood Education credentials.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following (related duties may be assigned):

• Develop and execute ongoing mentoring activities using college-wide resources
• Collaborate with ECE Academic Coach, Dean, faculty, and staff to develop workshops, seminars and other professional development opportunities tailored to meet the needs of ECE students
• Actively engage students through ongoing, scheduled mentoring activities with a direct focus on stackable credential and/or AAS ECE degree completion
• Support students via scheduled face-to-face and online/virtual appointments, face-to-face drop-in visits, email correspondence and other means of communication approved by the college
• Collaborate with the ECE Academic Coach, Dean, faculty, and staff in actively monitoring student progress for students seeking an ECE stackable credential or degree, providing intervention options as necessary.
• Collaborate with the ECE Career Coach, Dean, faculty, and staff to actively monitor student progress for students seeking an ECE stackable credential or degree. Track data and notes for each assigned student using a central filing system.
• Connect students to external stakeholders (e.g., Illinois Student Aid Commission) and provide targeted support with the scholarship application process.
• Provided targeted, individualized support during registration periods throughout the academic year and summer semesters
• Develop and utilize relationships within internal and external stakeholder to support student completion of stackable credentials and/or ECE AAS degree
• Maintain a working knowledge of campus processes and be able to connect students to other offices, resources, and information
• Visit K-12 partners and community stakeholders to recruit and promote the ECE program
• Collaborate with the ECE Academic Coach, Dean, faculty, and staff in actively monitoring student progress for students seeking an ECE stackable credential or degree, providing intervention options as necessary.
• Collaborate with the ECE Career Coach, Dean, faculty, and staff to actively monitor student progress for students seeking an ECE stackable credential or degree. Track data and notes for each assigned student using a central filing system.
• Possess considerable knowledge of Illinois DCFS 407 licensing regulations, Illinois Early Learning Standards, and Illinois Gateways Credentials & Competencies
• Coordinate recruitment activities in conjunction with faculty and staff using college-wide resources
• Develop relationships with internal and external stakeholders to best support students and connect them to offices/individuals
• Maintain a basic working knowledge of RVC’s Early Childhood Education Program
• Provide complete, accurate, and timely information to the Dean, department chairs, faculty, staff, students, and the community
• Create and maintain a variety of documents (e.g., forms, presentation materials, meeting agendas, minutes, etc.), aligning with branding standards of the College
• Provide administrative support for projects (e.g., reports, communications) including, but not limited to, gathering data, composing, proofreading, disseminating, and updating information in a variety of modes
• Perform general clerical duties and be proficient in using the Microsoft Office Suite, including but not limited to Word, Excel, and Google Suite
• Serve as a representative at college meetings, professional meetings, seminars, and workshops as requested
• Serve on college-wide committees as needed
• Assume additional duties as assigned by immediate supervision

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or related field from an accredited institution
• Three to five years teaching experience in the Early Childhood Education field
• Strong record of working with individuals from diverse populations and a demonstrated commitment to the Rock Valley College’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Core Values
• Ability and willingness to travel to various locations for ECE program implementation
• Ability and willingness to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with Illinois DCFS 407 licensing regulations, Illinois Early Learning Standards, and Illinois Gateways Credentials & Competencies
• Experience in a higher education or community college setting
• Five or more years of experience in the Early Childhood Education field
• Program management
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) language skills

Full-time Positions: (ADL, ADM, PSA, ESP)
The chosen candidate for this position will be offered an excellent benefit package including medical, dental, vision, and group life along with AD&D insurance. In addition, optional flexible spending accounts, LTD, supplemental life insurance and AD&D for you and your dependents. State Universities Retirement System (SURS) pension in place of Social Security and optional retirement savings programs. Complimentary use of the Fitness Center for employee and spouse or domestic partner, Educational Assistance, and Tuition Waivers for employee and dependents, paid holidays, 20 vacation days first year, 12 days paid sick leave each year, three personal days each year, which can accumulate up to 9 days. The College has an onsite clinic - RVCare.

Rock Valley College values diversity and is committed to fostering an inclusive, diverse and respectful environment, as we believe that diversity in our organization encourages a rich and creative environment. We are actively engaged in building a more diverse organization and encourage all qualified applicants to apply today. We are also committed to providing accommodation for persons with disabilities. If you require accommodations, please contact our Human Resources Department at (815) 921-4760. Check out Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Wellness, Benefits, job openings, and more at Rock Valley College!