Early Childhood Specialist

HighScope Educational Research Foundation; Ypsilanti (MI); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

HighScope Educational Research Foundation, in Michigan, seeks an Early Childhood Specialist to develop curriculum, professional learning courses, and related products within the RED Department.

The role applies the HighScope approach and adult learning principles to create high-quality content, facilitate learning events, and support field consultants, with hybrid work and occasional travel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in education, early childhood education, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in early childhood education.
• Experience developing, facilitating, or supporting professional learning content.
• Strong knowledge of early childhood education practices and principles.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Responsibilities

• Develop and contribute to curriculum, professional learning courses, instructional materials, and related educational products.
• Design, facilitate, and evaluate professional learning events, piloting new and revised courses.
• Apply knowledge of early childhood education and adult learning to develop and refine HighScope content.
• Contribute subject matter expertise to HighScope materials and publications.
• Represent HighScope at professional conferences and professional learning events.

Skills

Team collaboration

Oral and written communication

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree in education or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Early Childhood Specialist - Summary Description

The Research, Evaluation, and Development (RED) Department at HighScope Educational Research Foundation (HighScope) is seeking a collaborative, reliable, and innovative Early Childhood Specialist to contribute to the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of HighScope curriculum, professional learning courses, and related products.

The Early Childhood Specialist will draw on expertise in early childhood education, the HighScope approach, early childhood research, and adult learning to develop high-quality educational content and learning experiences for early childhood professionals. The position will also facilitate professional learning, contribute to HighScope publications and external communications, represent HighScope at professional learning events, and provide mentorship and subject-matter support to field consultants.

This is a hybrid position, that will require a combination of in-person meetings and remote work, as well as occasional travel and evening or weekend hours. This position is funded through a grant and is contingent upon the receipt and continued availability of the anticipated grant funding.

Essential Functions/Duties:

• Develop and contribute to the development of curriculum, professional learning courses, instructional materials, and related educational products.
• Design, facilitate, and evaluate professional learning events, including piloting new and revised courses and incorporating participant feedback to support continuous improvement.
• Apply knowledge of early childhood education, the HighScope approach, current research, and adult learning principles to the development and refinement of HighScope content and products.
• Contribute subject matter expertise to HighScope materials and publications, including articles, podcasts, social media content, and other communications.
• Represent HighScope at professional conferences and other early childhood meetings and events, including developing and delivering conference presentations and professional learning sessions.
• Provide mentorship, coaching, and subject matter support to HighScope field consultants.
• Collaborate with colleagues and external partners on projects that support the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of HighScope curriculum, professional learning, and products.
• Manage multiple projects and assignments simultaneously, prioritizing work effectively to meet established deadlines and organizational goals.
• Maintain current knowledge of early childhood research, trends, practices, and policies and apply relevant knowledge to HighScope’s work.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Job Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in education, early childhood education, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in early childhood education, including experience teaching young children and partnering with families.
• Experience in developing, facilitating, or supporting professional learning, curriculum, instructional materials, or other educational content.
• Strong knowledge of early childhood education practices and principles.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including the ability to develop clear, engaging, and audience-appropriate educational content.
• Strong organizational, project, and time management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and complete assignments independently.
• Resourcefulness, initiative, sound judgement, and the ability to make appropriate independent decisions.
• Candidate must have satisfactory outcome of background check.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in education, early childhood education, or a related field.
• Experience implementing the HighScope approach in an early childhood care or classroom setting.
• Certified HighScope Trainer.

Other Qualifications/Requirements (e.g., Licenses/Certifications, Travel, Lifting, etc)

• Ability to travel as needed.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid environment, combining in-office and remote work, with occasional evening or weekend hours as needed.
• Prolonged periods of sitting and working on a computer; ability to lift up to 25 lbs., if necessary.