Professional Development Specialist (Birth-Preschool)

Professional Development Specialist (Birth-Preschool)

About Us
Thank you for your interest in employment at our university. Georgia College is an integral part of our local and neighboring communities and we are seeking candidates who share that commitment and want to support our mission. Our university team is comprised of faculty and staff professionals who are dedicated to continuing to move Georgia College forward as a nationally preeminent public liberal arts university. Georgia College is located in Milledgeville, a charming town less than a two-hour drive from Atlanta. As you take the time to learn more about our university, we hope you enjoy it as much as we do. We invite you to review the current employment opportunities that are available at Georgia College.

In keeping with the University's mission, we especially encourage applicants who will further our goal of cultural, ethnic, racial, and gender diversity.

Job Summary
Reporting to the Program Manager, the Professional Development Specialist (Birth to Preschool) will develop a statewide professional development program in early language and literacy and early brain development for center directors, caregivers, and teachers of children birth to Preschool. Reporting to the Program Manager, the Professional Development Specialist serves as the Center's expert on the unique needs of infants to preschoolers and their teachers and caregivers. The Professional Development Specialist will collaborate with the Department of Early Care and Learning, Technical College System of Georgia, Rollins Center for Language & Literacy of the Atlanta Speech School, and other professional development providers. The Professional Development Specialist, in coordination with other Deal Center staff will develop an annual training calendar, plan Early Language and Literacy Institutes, and provide training to teachers and caregivers of children Birth to Preschool. This position will explore ways to provide language and literacy enrichment for children Birth to Preschool who are not in formal child care settings in collaboration with public libraries, Department of Public Health pediatricians and community health centers, home visiting programs and community non-profits.

Responsibilities
Program Development -Plans and develops a comprehensive program of professional development in literacy for teachers and caregivers of children birth to preschool throughout Georgia. Plans and develops specialized language and literacy institutes for birth to preschool teachers, support staff, and center directors. Identifies and highlights childcare demonstration sites that excel in supporting children birth to preschool in early language development. Designs early literacy grant opportunities for childcare programs and preschool classrooms. Identifies and prioritizes professional development needs and develops an annual professional development calendar.

Training -Designs and delivers high quality professional learning opportunities on developmentally appropriate language and literacy practices, brain development, and infant toddler social development to early childhood teachers, caregivers, directors, and others. Develops content in the areas of language and literacy development and research-based strategies for teachers, support staff, and educational leaders of children Birth to Preschool. Continually reviews/evaluates content to ensure that it is meeting the intended objectives, and makes improvements and revisions, as needed. Develops a systematic approach to curriculum and instructional planning, development, implementation, and evaluation.

Collaboration -Collaborates and coordinates with technical assistance and professional development providers offering support in child care centers, family day care homes, and preschool classrooms in order to increase effectiveness and decrease duplication. Builds strong collaboration with the Department of Early Care and Learning, Rollins Center for Language & Literacy of the Atlanta Speech School, Technical College System of Georgia, and other providers of professional development for caregivers and teachers of children birth to Pre-K. In collaboration with public libraries, Department of Public Health, pediatricians and community health centers, home visiting programs, and community organizations, develops strategies to provide language and literacy enrichment for children birth to age 4 who are not in formal child care settings.

Required Qualifications
Educational Requirements
Master's degree in early childhood education, child development, or a closely related field and at least 5 years of direct experience working in early childhood settings with children birth to 4.

Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Educational Qualifications
Ed.S. or Doctorate in early childhood education, child development, or a closely related field.
Preferred ExperienceExperience in teaching and coaching adult learners.

Experience in curriculum design/content development and instructional design.
Experience/knowledge of e-learning/on-line learning pedagogy and tools.
Strong background in early literacy content and pedagogy with specific emphasis on knowledge and implementation of construction of the reading brain.
Experience in leading teams in literacy approaches, programs, or interventions.

Required Documents to Attach
Resume
Cover Letter/Application Letter
List of References

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
KNOWLEDGE
Best practices in professional development for adult learners.
Knowledge of best practices in teaching adult learners.
Deep knowledge of early language and literacy models and strategies.

SKILLS
Program planning
Program development
Communication and collaboration
Event planning
Teaching adult learners
Curriculum development
Collaboration
Communication

Equal Employment Opportunity
Georgia College is committed to the fundamental principle of equal opportunity and equal treatment for every prospective and current employee and strives to create a campus environment which understands, fosters, and embraces the value of diversity. No person shall, on the grounds of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or genetic information, be excluded from employment or participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination, under any program or activity conducted by Georgia College. It is the policy our institution to recruit, hire, train, promote and educate persons without regard to race, color, national or ethnical origin, age, disability, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or veteran status as required by applicable state and federal laws (including Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, Sections 503, and 504, AREA, ADA, E.O. 11246, and Rev. Proc. 75-50). Georgia College is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Institution.

Other Information
This is not a supervisory position.
This position does not have any financial responsibilities.
This position will be required to drive.
This role is considered a position of trust.
This position does not require a purchasing card (P-Card).
This position may travel 0- 25% of the time
This position does not require security clearance.

Background Check
Position of Trust Education
Motor Vehicle/Driving Record
Drug Test - This position will be subject to pre-employment drug screening and follow-up random drug screenings may occur during the employment period.