The Quality Support Specialist will support child care programs and providers to improve their quality through recruitment, assessment, coaching, mentoring, training, monitoring and technical assistance. The Quality Support Specialist 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. The YMCA of San Diego County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer Minority/Female/Disability/Vets. We are committed to a diverse workforce.

• BA/BS degree with an emphasis in child development, health sciences, health education or related field and at least two years of experience training, coaching, or providing services in an early care and education setting.
• Knowledge of child growth and development (including child nutrition, physical activity, and overall wellness), developmentally appropriate practices, activity planning for young children, and adult learning styles and principles.
• Knowledge of community resources available to child care providers and families including organizations, community agencies, websites, and projects.
• Specialized knowledge and/or expertise in an area of child care quality.
• Ability to effectively use English including speaking, reading and, writing. Bilingual Spanish with ability to provide oral and written translation preferred.
• Experience conducting ERS and CLASS assessments, including conducting observations, scoring and reporting results, or other data analysis to develop individualized plans of action preferred
• Experience analyzing data to provide individualized technical support.
• Experience and ability to train, coach, mentor and provide technical assistance to early care and education providers and monitor quality improvement goals.
• Ability to manage and complete program goals according to timelines and to follow standard operating procedures.
• Experience working with diverse populations and understanding the importance of cultural sensitivity and effective strategies for Dual Language Learners.
• Strong organization and communication skills and the ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
• Knowledge of developmental screening and quality assessment tools including ASQ, DRDP, NAP SACC, and California Early Learning and Development System.
• Understanding of the cognitive, physical, social, emotional, linguistic/language development of children birth to five.
• Ability to develop and conduct quality training in various settings to all types of early care and education providers and families.
• Ability to support early care and education staff in the implementation of theory and research-based interventions.
• Computer literate with excellent typing skills. Knowledge of Microsoft Office and web based applications preferred.
• Ability to stand or sit for extended periods of time and bend, stretch, reach and lift to perform job tasks and activities.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule with alternating work days, weekends and evenings to fulfill job responsibilities of the position.
• Must have reliable transportation to travel efficiently throughout San Diego County.
• Current CPR and First Aid certification required and must be from one of the following certifying organizations: American Red Cross, American Heart Association or American Safety & Health Institute.

• Manage daily operations of quality improvement contracts working with early care and education programs, including participant tracking, observations, evaluations, coaching, technical assistance and one on one supports.
• Conduct outreach to recruit early care and education programs to participate in Quality Improvement activities, including holding outreach events to provide an overview of program requirements.
• Create data driven reports and analyze trends per contract requirements. Develop an understanding of program activities and structures.
• Market Quality Improvement activities in collaboration with the YMCA CRS Marketing Department.
• Provide on-site coaching and technical assistance to early care and education programs in accordance with coaching protocols in place with contractors and YMCA CRS.
• Develop an individual Quality Improvement Plan or individualized plan of action for each program/classroom/agency/site using research based observation tools as the guide for improving the environment, interactions, processes, and assessment scores.
• Monitor the progress of each Quality Improvement Plan or plan of action through continued site visits, coaching observations and technical assistance visits.
• Convey expertise through presenting at conferences and community meetings.
• Maintain a positive relationship with collaborative service providers by responding in a timely manner to their needs, informing them of any changes or updates.
• Participate in certification/reliability training on Environment Rating Scale or CLASS tools and maintain a passing score on annual reliability and mid year calibrations.
• Assist with providing Environment Rating Scale and CLASS, and relevant assessments, including conducting observations, scoring, reporting results, and assisting agencies with assessment completion.
• Develop and conduct trainings for early care and education programs on topics that support quality programs, including assessment and observation tools as well as best practices.
• Utilize data management systems to input coaching, site visits, technical assistance, professional development, family engagement, and program level data to track contract compliance and continuous quality improvement for each early care and education program, including data reporting for contract reports.
• Write narrative reports including data as required for contract and agency requirements.
• Attend community meetings to network and build relationships that help strengthen families.