Early Childhood Clinical Specialist, Phyllis J Washington College of Education

The Phyllis J. Washington College of Education invites applications for an Early Childhood Clinical Specialist position . Early Childhood Clinical Specialists (ECCS) are employed during the Academic Year to work with the Director, Early Childhood Clinical Specialist and Early Childhood Specialists (ECS) to accomplish the broad, complex objectives based in the Preschool program. The ECCS’s collaborate with the ECC’s to develop curriculum and co-teach during the Preschool sessions (Three-hour session (9:00 AM-12:00 PM), five-hour session (8:30 AM – 1:30 PM) and extended preschool (1:30 PM-5:15 PM).

The ECCS position is highly autonomous and requires daily independent decision-making and judgment. Primary responsibilities include mentoring UM students in clinical experiences, developing and implementing preschool curriculum that meets NAEYC and state standards, providing support for program operations, and delivering professional development for child care and preschool teachers across the community and state. In addition, the ECCS responsibilities will be responsive to emerging trends and interests related to state and campus early childhood initiatives.

Clinical Mentor

• Collaborate with the Director, Early Childhood Clinical Specialist, ECS’s, and Teaching and Learning faculty members to develop and review effective clinical supervision policies and practices for UM students.
• Implement effective clinical supervision strategies to guide and supervise the performance of UM students in clinical experiences. Strategies will include conducting 15-minute team planning sessions with UM clinical students before each session and a 15-minute debriefing following each session.
• Collaborate with ECS and T&L faculty to provide performance feedback for University of Montana students completing course work in the LAB Preschool.

Preschool Curriculum Design and Implementation

• Collaborate with the Director, Early Childhood Clinical Specialist and ECS to develop Preschool curriculum and outcome-based evaluation criteria and processes that meet NAEYC Accreditation Standards, Montana DPHHS licensing requirements, and Montana STARs requirements.
• Assume a co-teaching role in LAB Preschool with an ECS and oversee implementation of Preschool curriculum and outcome-based evaluation criteria and processes for children enrolled in the session.
• Co-teach with ECS in Preschool sessions.
• Apply knowledge of family systems and methods for developing school/home partnerships to develop positive relationships with parents and guardians of children in the program.
• Maintain regular informal and formal communication with families to minimally include facilitating individual new family orientations for parents and children prior to the Preschool start date, weekly written communication, scheduling and facilitating 2 conferences annually with each family, and planning/hosting a family night in partnership with UM practicum students each semester.
• Collaborate with the director, ECS, and T&L Chair to review Preschool curriculum alignment with relevant C&I, EDU, and EDEC courses/clinical experiences.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with faculty and graduate students Counselor Education and other human service fields at UM to facilitate research and provide wrap-around services for Preschool children and their families.

Operations

• Train, supervise and evaluate student employees.
• Set objectives, work plans, methods, and priorities for student employees.
• Maintain and monitor support personnel expectations and motivation to fulfill organizational requirements.
• Collaborate with Preschool staff to complete state DPHHS licensing paperwork and Montana STARs record-keeping annually.
• Collaborate with Preschool staff to complete ongoing NAEYC accreditation process, classroom portfolio, and record-keeping.

Communication and Outreach

• Facilitate educational visits to the Preschool to include existing and potential donors, student tours representing other early childhood programs in colleges and universities across the state, area P-3 teachers, child care providers and other human service professionals, and administrators seeking information about best practice in early childhood education.
• Represent the Preschool at local and state meetings as assigned.
• Develop and offer professional development for child care and preschool professionals in the region.

This position requires incumbent to Maintain at least a Level 6 on the Montana Practitioner Registry by meeting annual professional development requirements; and also maintain Membership in a national early childhood organization (e.g., The National Association for the Education of Young Children or the Council for Exceptional Children/Division for Early Childhood).

Required Skills

• Ability to utilize evidence-based practices to implement high quality early childhood curriculum including the inclusion of children with disabilities and a positive approach to guiding behavior
• Ability to articulate and apply knowledge of evidence-based practices to support and mentor UM students in clinical experiences.
• The ability to seek new knowledge and feedback and implement change in Preschool teaching practices, clinical supervision, and professional behaviors accordingly
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills (written and oral), including ability to work with a diverse population
• Ability to establish and maintain collaborative relationships with each child’s family that foster children’s development and learning
• The ability to exercise diplomacy and good judgment
• Ability to multi task and self-monitor project completion according to timelines
• Demonstrated skill developing and delivering professional presentations
• Skill in the operation of personal computers and software, including the Microsoft Office Suite, Access, PowerPoint, Prezi, and Publisher
• Ability to maintain accurate records and files;
• maintain strict confidentiality
• The ability to seek new knowledge and feedback and implement change in clinical supervision, Preschool teaching practices, and professional behaviors accordingly

Minimum Required Experience

• Bachelor of Education (or equivalency) in early childhood education or a related field, in addition to two (2) years of closely related experience; or any combination of experience and education that provides the competencies necessary to successfully discharge the duties and responsibilities assigned to the position.

About the College of Education, UM , and Missoula

The Phyllis J. Washington College of Education shapes professional practices that contribute to the development of human potential. We are individuals in a community of lifelong learners, guided by respect for knowledge, human dignity and ethical behavior. To advance the physical, emotional, and intellectual health of a diverse society, we work together producing and disseminating knowledge as we educate learners.

We are a community of learners who improve educational realities and change lives.

The University of Montana is a unit of the Montana University System with over 10,000 students. It is located in Missoula, a culturally vibrant community of about 72,000, surrounded by mountain grandeur which was recently ranked in the “ top 20 best college towns with a population of less than 250,000 ” by the American Institute for Economic Research and ranked 9th in Outside Magazine’s “ The 16 Greatest Places to Live in America” in 2014 . Many national publications recognize Missoula for its high quality of life . Abundant recreational opportunities in surrounding state and national forests and nearby Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park complement a thriving intellectual atmosphere. The University of Montana offers eligible employees a generous benefits package that positively separates UM from other local employers and offers many programs and policies to support work-life balance for its employees.

The University of Montana is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity in all areas. In that spirit, we are particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of qualified people who would assist the University in demonstrating its five priorities for action : Place student success at the center of all we do; drive excellence and innovation in teaching, learning, and research; embody the principle of “mission first, people always"; partner with place; and proudly tell the UM story.



To learn more about the University of Montana, Missoula, and the State of Montana, please visit the links below.

• University of Montana
• Video: UM Lifestyles
• University Highlights
• City of Missoula
• Video: There's This Place
• Destination Missoula
• Missoula Area Chamber of Commerce
• The State of Montana
• Visit Montana

Position Details

Position Title: Early Childhood Clinical Specialist (Education Administrator, Preschool)

Position Number: 035050

Department: Phyllis J Washing College of Education

Work Schedule: Partl-time, 0.625 FTE (25 Hours a week), Monday through Friday, variable schedule, 10 months/year (Academic Year)

Salary: $18.887/hr - Current employee’s rate of pay for this position will be determined by the staff compensation plan and will minimally be this posted salary. For questions and details regarding the staff compensation plan, email the Compensation Department .

Union Affiliation: FOCUS - MFPE

Probationary Period: Six months minimum

Benefits Include : Insurance package, mandatory retirement plan, and wellness program.

Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to the Offer of Employment In accordance with University regulations, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations. ADA/EOE/AA/Veteran's Preference Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request. As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, we encourage applications from minorities, veterans, and women. Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law. References: References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant. Testing: Individual hiring departments at UM may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions. Employment Eligibility: All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9).

How to Apply

Application Deadline: Monday, May 31, 2021 by 11:59 PM (Mountain Time)

Candidates are required to submit the following materials online via "New Resume/CV" button below

A complete application Includes:

1. Letter of Interest – addressing your qualifications and experience related to the stated required skills for the position. A general letter salutation such as “Dear Search Committee” or “Dear Hiring Manager” is acceptable.
2. Detailed Resume – listing education and describing work experience.
3. Professional References – names and contact information for three (3) professional references.

Need additional help? Check out our UM Jobs FAQ website.

Job Location Missoula, Montana, United States
Position Type Full-Time/Regular