ABOUT US:

Illinois Action for Children (“IAFC”), a local, state, and national leader in the early childhood care and education sector for over 50 years. IAFC programs, services, and advocacy improve learning and life outcomes for children and families, including reducing the effects of poverty. IAFC works to ensure that every child in Illinois – particularly those in need – have access to the necessary resources to succeed in school and in life.

Along with our mission, IAFC is committed to building and maintaining a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and anti-racist culture. We are dedicated to this pledge through our hiring practices and our focus on creating a culture and environment where diverse perspectives, ideas, and identities are valued and integrated into our way of working and servicing our staff and clients. IAFC staff represent a wide diversity of racial, socio-economic, gender, religious, and national identities. We welcome all applicants who share our mission and vision to join us in our essential work.

SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the Program Manager of Consultation Programs, the Quality Specialist will provide training, support (technical assistance), and consultation to licensed family childcare homes and licensed childcare centers. The goal of assisting providers to significantly improve the quality and accessibility of childcare centers and family childcare providers, additionally, provide equal supports and technical assistance to those providers who have a Circle of Quality in ExceleRate Illinois or have expressed an interest. All work is to be completed with minimal supervision and in accordance with organizational standards.

This incumbent will be expected to promote and adhere to the workplace core capabilities of: accountability, customer focus, continuous quality improvement (CQI), communication, competent people and clear priorities. All work to be completed in accordance with organizational standards.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following. The organization reserves the right to add to delete, change, or modify the essential duties and responsibilities at any time.

1. Develop time limited working relationships with childcare practitioners (licensed childcare providers, licensed family childcare homes) to support providers around improving the quality of services through the following activities. As well as provide equal support and technical assistance to those identified providers who are involved in ExceleRate Illinois or have expressed an interest.
2. Provide time limited consultation, technical assistance and trainings regarding development, positive discipline, designing environments, transitions, routines, communication/relationships-building with parents/guardians, and around the Environment Rating Scales items.
3. Be available in-person, by phone, email, and zoom to providers.
4. Provide consultation, technical assistance and training to providers who have a Circle of Quality in ExceleRate Illinois or have expressed an interest and are needing support at different stages in the process.
5. Offer resources and information.
6. Facilitate cohorts or CoP’s for the express purpose of providers eligibility to receive Quality Improvement funds via IDHS, additionally provide training, technical assistance, reflective practice, and consultation.
7. Work with other Infant Toddler Childcare Specialist and other Quality Specialist to develop a comprehensive range workshop, CQI cohorts and Communities of Practice (CoP).
8. Work in collaboration with other agency-wide programs, initiatives, meetings, and events.
9. Maintain documentation of the contract related activities through data recording systems such as DTP and ActionForce, through timely submissions.
10. Work with the broader community organizations and stakeholders; including IAFC’s Community Partner agencies.
11. Provide services to childcare providers in fluent spoken and written English.
12. Other functions: The organization may assign other functions to the job at its discretion.

Education and/or Experience:

• Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Early Childhood Education/Child Development or one of the following related fields: Child Psychology/Behavioral Sciences, Family Consumer Sciences, Social Work, Elementary Education, Child Welfare, Family Services, Psychology, Sociology, Human Development, including a minimum of 18 hours in Early Childhood coursework.
• 2. Minimum two (2) years of paid experience in a childcare setting as a family childcare provider, center- based administrator, center-based teacher/teacher assistant or Illinois Preschool for All teacher
• Must be able to fully communicate, speak, listen, write, read, and present trainings in English.
• Shall complete SIDS Prevention, ECERS-R, ECERS-3, SACERS, ITERS, FCCERS, DCFS Child Abuse and Neglect Mandated Reporter Training, QRS Orientation, Business and Program Administration training within 6 months of employment.
• Serve as an approved trainer for the Gateways to Opportunities formerly Illinois Trainer’s Network (ITN) for the Environment Rating Scales within 1 year of employment.
• Complete all INCCRRA required trainings

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• Valid driver’s license, access to reliable personal transportation and insurance required

Other Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent communications and presentations skills in English.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and respect for the ways in which adults learn and adjust to change.
• Accessibility to reliable personal transportation with insurance, valid driver’s license, and ability to travel locally with occasional statewide travel required.
• Strong desire to work with ethnically and economically diverse populations, particularly those with limited access to resources (financial and professional)
• Ability to work with a flexible schedule, which may include nights and/or weekends
• Ability to work well independently and as a team member
• Effective professional written and spoken communication
• Effective program management within budgetary constraints; meeting or exceeding program goals
• Good interpersonal skills
• Highly organized and able to use time effectively
• Accurate record keeping and basic accounting skills
• Ability to travel locally, with occasional statewide and national travel
• Ability to think creatively and strategically

Benefits of Working at IAFC:

• Working with passionate team members that are driven by our Mission: Illinois Action for Children is a catalyst for organizing, developing and supporting strong families and powerful communities where children matter most.
• We strive to foster and implement a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion across our organization. We know it is not only critical to the success of diversity initiatives - but instrumental in creating an unbiased and inclusive workplace! It not only relates to the diverse clients we serve but also creates a positive employee experience.
• We offer an extensive benefits package that adds value to your total compensation. Our benefits include:

• Health, dental and vision insurance plans with company contribution of 95% for single coverage
• 401k with company match
• Generous PTO – first year-23 days, the second year-28 days, the third year and on - 35 days
• 11 Paid Holidays and 1 Floating Holiday
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Flexible Spending Account
• STD & LTD insurance
• Company paid Life Insurance

Salary: $48,200 (annualized) based on background and experience

Location: Chicago, Cook County

Illinois Action for Children is EEO/M/F/V/D employer

While we desire for this job posting to be comprehensive, all aspects of the position may be amended at any time at the discretion of IAFC including job duties, work location and/or work schedule.