Early Childhood Specialist-Brookings, SD

Boys & Girls Club of the Northern Plains; Sioux Falls (SD); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

The Boys & Girls Club of the Northern Plains is seeking an Early Childhood Specialist to lead coaching and curriculum support across Infant/Toddler or Preschool programs. You will coach teachers, model best practices, and help raise the quality of learning experiences for children.

In this safety-sensitive, full-time role, you will observe classrooms, provide feedback, and collaborate with center leaders to implement Creative Curriculum and Teaching Strategies GOLD, ensuring high standards and

Qualifications

• Requires Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development; Bachelor's preferred.
• CDA credential required if Associate's degree not yet completed.
• Minimum 3 years of classroom experience in a high-quality program.
• Experience with Creative Curriculum and Teaching Strategies GOLD.

Responsibilities

• Coach and model instruction for teachers; provide regular classroom observations with feedback.
• Support curriculum implementation across Infant/Toddler or Preschool programs.
• Collaborate with Center Director on professional development plans and classroom readiness for transitions.
• Contribute to accreditation documentation and curriculum fidelity across sites.

Skills

Coaching adults

Observation & feedback

Interpersonal communication

Education

Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education/Child Development

Bachelor's degree preferred

CDA credential (if not completed)

Tools

Creative Curriculum

Teaching Strategies GOLD

Job description

TITLE: Early Childhood Specialist

REPORTS TO: Early Childhood Center Director

CLASSIFIED: Full Time, Non-Exempt

LOCATION: Brookings, SD

MISSION: To inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens.

JOB SUMMARY: The Early Childhood Specialist is the curriculum and early childhood education expert for their assigned program — either Infant/Toddler or Preschool. This is a coaching-centered leadership role whose primary purpose is developing teachers: building their instructional confidence, deepening their curriculum knowledge, and improving the quality of learning experiences for children over time. The Early Childhood Specialist works actively on the floor throughout the day and is not counted in ratio, allowing full freedom of movement across classrooms to observe, coach, model, and support teaching staff. This role is grounded in the belief that strong teachers create strong programs.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serves as the early childhood education and curriculum expert for their assigned program, providing the coaching, modeling, and instructional support Teachers need to grow in their practice.
• Conducts regular, structured classroom observations followed by timely written feedback and one-on-one coaching conversations.
• Models developmentally appropriate, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive teaching practices directly in the classroom.
• Guides Teachers in the daily implementation of Creative Curriculum — including lesson planning, provocation design, environmental setup, and enrichment.
• Partners with Teachers on Teaching Strategies GOLD (TSG GOLD) assessment practices, providing coaching on observation documentation, checkpoint completion, and use of assessment data to inform planning.
• Identifies individual Teacher development needs and collaborates with the Center Director and Curriculum and Enrichment Coordinator on targeted professional development plans.
• Observes children across classrooms with a developmental lens and advises the Center Director on individual children's readiness for classroom transitions.
• Partners with families to support and communicate the educational progress and developmental needs of children within their assigned program.
• Conducts ongoing performance observations for Teachers and Classroom Assistants and submits documented findings to the Center Director to inform formal performance reviews.
• Contributes to NAEYC accreditation portfolio documentation related to curriculum, assessment, and teaching practice standards.
• Communicates regularly with the Curriculum and Enrichment Coordinator on curriculum fidelity, enrichment programming, and cross-site alignment.
• Ensures SOP adherence and a safe, high-quality learning environment across all classrooms in their assigned program.
• Supports ratio coverage as needed during transitions and staffing gaps.
• Maintains current expertise in their specialty area through ongoing professional development.

EMPLOYMENT QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development required; Bachelor's degree strongly preferred.
• Child Development Associate (CDA) credential required if Associate's degree is not yet completed.
• Minimum 3 years of classroom experience in a high-quality early childhood program.
• Demonstrated expertise in developmentally appropriate practice for their specialty area (Infant/Toddler or Preschool).
• Experience with or strong working knowledge of Creative Curriculum and Teaching Strategies GOLD.
• Demonstrated ability to coach, mentor, and develop adult learners in a professional setting.
• Knowledge of NAEYC Program Standards.
• Experience in or commitment to trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and inclusive early childhood practice.
• Strong observational, written feedback, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Experience in a NAEYC-accredited program preferred.
• CPR/First Aid certification required or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire.
• Satisfactory background check per SD DSS requirements.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to work actively in classroom environments throughout the shift.
• Ability to sit on the floor, kneel, crouch, and move at a child's level.
• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds.
• Ability to supervise children outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Must be able to respond quickly in emergency situations.
• This position is considered to be safety-sensitive.

The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain nor be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and objectives required of employees assigned to this job.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug-Free Workplace!

All qualified applicants are considered for positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, non-job-related disability, or any other protected class.

The Boys & Girls Club of the Northern Plains provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees in compliance with local, state, and federal laws and regulations. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application/hiring process should contact Human Resources to communicate their request for accommodation at 605-692-3333.