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 Bilingual Infant Toddler Child Care 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 infant and toddler childcare, 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 to be completed with minimum 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, and childcare homes) to support providers around improving the quality of services to infants and toddlers, 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.
   1. Provide time limited consultation, technical assistance and trainings regarding infant toddler development, brain science and development, positive discipline, designing environments, transitions, routines, communication/relationships-building with parents/guardians.
   2. Be available in-person and by phone, email, and Zoom to providers.
   3. 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.
   4. Offer resources and information.
2. 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.
3. Work in partnership with providers, other specialist to jointly assess and identity infant toddler program needs and concerns.
4. Work with other Infant Toddler Childcare Specialist and other Specialist to develop a comprehensive range of infant toddler trainings/workshop, CQI cohorts and Communities of Practice (CoP).
5. Work in collaboration with other agency-wide programs, initiatives, meetings, and events.
6. Maintain documentation of the contract related activities through data recording systems such as DTP and ActionForce, through timely submissions.
7. Work with the broader community organizations and stakeholders; including IAFC’s Community Partner agencies.
8. Must meet the IDHS credentialing requirements for Infant Toddler position.
   1. Candidate must hold the Gateways to Opportunity ECE Level 5 and ITC Level 4 credentials.
      1. Early Childhood Education
      2. Infant Toddler
9. Will meet the IDHS below requirements within the first year of employment:
   1. Attend ‘Program for Infant Toddler Caregiver’ (PITC) trainings, become certified on all 4 PITC modules (at least 50% completion of certification process by first anniversary of employment, in re: to PITC training and review schedule)
   2. Enroll in ITN Trainer Registry (through INCCRRA)
   3. Complete all INCCRRA required trainings
   4. Provide services to childcare providers in spoken and written Spanish.
10. Other functions: The organization may assign other functions to the job at its discretion.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or related field OR
• A Bachelor’s Degree in one of the following related fields: Child Psychology/Behavioral Sciences, Family Consumer Science, Social Work, Elementary Education, Child Welfare, Family Services, Psychology, Sociology, Human Development, AND a minimum of 18 hours in Early Childhood coursework.
• Three years of experience working in a licensed childcare program -- Licensed Family Child Care, center-based administrator, center-based teacher or teacher assistant or Preschool For All teacher -- which should also include experience working directly with infants and toddlers.
• Knowledge of infant toddler development.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

• Candidate must hold the Gateways to Opportunity ECE Level 5 (1200 total hours of documented ECE work experience) and ITC Level 4 credentials (900 hours of documented IT work experience).
• A valid driver’s license.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Excellent commucommunication and presentation skills in English and Spanish.

• 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 the ability to travel locally with occasional statewide travel required.

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 compaa ny 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 begins at $53,000 (annualized) based on background and experience

Location: Chicago (North/Northwest side)

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.