Early Childhood Clinical Specialist, Learning and Belonging Preschool

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The Learning and Belonging Preschool (LAB Preschool) of the Phyllis J. Washington College of Education and Human Sciences invites applications for an Early Childhood Clinical Specialist to develop curriculum and teach Transitional Kindergarten (ages 4 ½ to 6). The Early Childhood Clinical Specialist (ECCS) is employed during the Academic Year to work with the Director to accomplish the broad, complex objectives based in the LAB Preschool.

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 transitional kindergarten curriculum that meets NAEYC and state standards, providing support for program operations, and delivering professional development for child care, preschool and early elementary 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.

Responsibilities include:

Clinical Mentor

• Collaborate with the Director, other Early Childhood Clinical Specialists, and Teaching and Learning (T&L) 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. Conduct 15-minute pre- and post-session planning/reflection meetings with UM clinical students. Provide time and space within classroom routines for clinical students to plan and offer learning opportunities based on aligned coursework. Develop training for weekly Early Childhood Education (ECE) student seminars.
• Collaborate with T&L faculty to provide performance feedback for University of Montana students completing course work in the LAB Preschool.

Transitional Kindergarten Curriculum Design and Implementation

• Collaborate with the Director and other ECCSs to develop outcome-based program evaluation criteria and processes that meet NAEYC Accreditation Standards, Montana DPHHS licensing requirements, and Montana STARS requirements.
• Oversee implementation of Transitional Kindergarten curriculum and outcome-based evaluation criteria and processes for children enrolled in the LAB.
• Implement Positive Child Guidance social-emotional teaching practices in alignment with Conscious Discipline.
• 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 director, ECE faculty and T&L Chair to review Transitional Kindergarten curriculum alignment with relevant C&I, EDU, and EDEC courses/clinical experiences.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with faculty and graduate students in Counselor Education, Communication Science and Disorders, and other human service fields at UM to facilitate research and provide wrap-around services for Transitional Kindergarten 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 LAB staff to complete state DPHHS licensing paperwork and Montana STARS record keeping annually.
• Collaborate with LAB staff to complete ongoing NAEYC accreditation process, classroom portfolio, and record keeping.

Communication and Outreach

• Collaborate with the Institute for Early Childhood Education to promote a model of high-quality ECE practices to professionals in other ECE settings across the state and region.
• Facilitate educational visits to the LAB 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, other human service professionals, and administrators seeking information about best practice in ECE.
• Represent the LAB at local and state meetings as assigned.
• Develop and offer professional development for child care, preschool, and early elementary professionals in the region.
• Coordinate family events and maintain family resource materials.

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 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, Publisher.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and files.
• Maintain strict confidentiality.

Minimum Required Experience

• Bachelors Degree in early childhood education, elementary education, or a closely related field and three (3) years of teaching experience in an early childhood program or classroom (Preschool through grade 3); or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Hold a minimum of a Level 4 on the Montana Early Childhood Project Practitioner Registry or able to achieve a Level 4 within one year of employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• M.Ed. in early childhood education with current PK-3 license preferred

• Three (3) years teaching experience as a lead teacher in an early childhood program or classroom (preschool – 3^rd grade).

About the Learning and Belonging Preschool and UM

The Phyllis J. Washington College of Education and Human Sciences 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. We work together producing and disseminating knowledge to advance the physical, emotional, and intellectual health of a diverse society.

The Learning and Belonging (LAB) Preschool of the Phyllis J. Washington College of Education and Human Sciences is a nationally accredited preschool program that offers education for children between the ages of 3-6 in the greater Missoula area. The LAB forms the foundation for an array of early childhood education, research, and services in the following 4 areas.

1. Providing an academic site for more than 100 pre-service and graduate student clinical experiences annually;
2. Delivering exemplary education and family support services for Missoula area children and their families in a multi-age (3-6), inclusive preschool and transitional kindergarten setting;
3. Collaborating with the campus community to facilitate faculty and graduate student research; and
4. Organizing outreach activities to engage early childhood professionals across the state in ongoing learning opportunities

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 75,000, surrounded by mountain grandeur. 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.


Position Details

Position Title: Early Childhood Clinical Specialist (Public Education Coordinator)

Position Number: NEW

Department: Learning and Belonging Preschool

Work Schedule: Full-Time, 1.0 FTE (40 Hours a week), Academic Year

(10 months/year, August through May).

Salary: $21.039/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,

partial tuition waiver, 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

Open Until Filled. Application review has begun, but applications are still being accepted.

To receive full consideration, candidates are required to submit all of the following materials.

Please submit the following application materials** via the UM Jobs portal and by clicking "New Resume/CV" button. Please do not apply through Indeed.com*.

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.

* Applying through Indeed.com or easy apply through Indeed.com may result in submission of an incomplete application. Applications may be removed from full consideration if they are not complete with materials listed above under the "How to Apply" section. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure complete application materials are submitted and received by the date listed above.

** Please note: only five (5) attachments are allowed per application. Please combine documents accordingly.

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