Head Start Education Coordinator - Job ID 14287

CAPITOL REGION EDUCATION COUNCIL; Hartford (CT); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance Plans

Life Insurance

403(b) Retirement Plan

Flexible Spending Account

Tuition Reimbursement

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Capitol Region Education Council (CREC) in Hartford, CT, invites applications for Head Start Education Coordinator to oversee professional development and improve teaching practices across Head Start programs. You will implement early childhood curriculum and ensure adherence to Head Start standards while supporting staff through coaching and data-driven improvement.

The role focuses on educator development, program quality, and collaboration with a multidisciplinary team to enhance child

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree (BA) or advanced degree in early childhood education; OR BA or advanced degree in a related field with equivalent early childhood education coursework and teaching experience.
• Knowledge of Head Start / Early Head Start preferred.
• Ability to provide training in principles of child development and School Readiness to large groups.

Responsibilities

• Guide staff through observation, coaching, mentoring, and monitoring; provide training and technical assistance to teaching staff.
• Ensure the incorporation of the Creative Curriculum to fidelity; assist teachers with interpreting child observation data and setting goals.
• Conduct observations using CLASS, QCIT, and locally designed tools to address school readiness goals with individualized activities.
• Plan for and equip indoor and outdoor areas to meet children's developmental and safety needs within budget.
• Coordinate with Site Supervisors to ensure active supervision and health/safety measures in classrooms.
• Maintain confidentiality with respect to Head Start/Early Head Start children, families, and staff.

Skills

Head Start knowledge

Training delivery

Bilingual (EN/ES) preferred

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education

Job description

Since 1966, the Capitol Region Education Council (CREC) has been dedicated to providing innovative, high quality, and cost-effective educational programs and services to meet the diverse needs of children and adults in Greater Hartford. Serving 33 member districts and reaching additional communities statewide, CREC supports approximately 12,000 students annually through more than 120 educational programs. Our offerings include professional learning and coaching for educators, specialized programming for students with diverse needs, and PreK-12 education across 16 interdistrict magnet schools. Additionally, CREC provides school construction, operations, and cooperative business services, while also delivering programs that help adults build real, job-ready skills.

Since 1966, the Capitol Region Education Council (CREC) has been dedicated to providing innovative, high quality, and cost-effective educational programs and services to meet the diverse needs of children and adults in Greater Hartford. Serving 33 member districts and reaching additional communities statewide, CREC supports approximately 12,000 students annually through more than 120 educational programs. Our offerings include professional learning and coaching for educators, specialized programming for students with diverse needs, and PreK-12 education across 16 interdistrict magnet schools. Additionally, CREC provides school construction, operations, and cooperative business services, while also delivering programs that help adults build real, job-ready skills.

Position Title

Head Start Education Coordinator

Classification

129, EC15E

Reports To

Head Start Education and Disabilities Specialist

Position Summary

The Education Coordinator supports teaching staff by providing ongoing professional development, building their teaching skills, monitoring their performance, and assisting them in applying new knowledge. This position is responsible for the education and early childhood development content area as stated in the Head Start Program Performance Standards. This includes the implementation of an early childhood curriculum and providing standards‑recognized best practices in the field of early childhood education.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Guide staff through observation, coaching, mentoring, and monitoring; provide training and technical assistance to teaching staff in a supportive, instructive, and non‑judgmental way.
• Ensure the incorporation of the Creative Curriculum to fidelity; assist teaching staff in understanding and interpreting child observation data and establishing appropriate individual child goals based on knowledge of child development.
• Conduct observations using CLASS, QCIT, and locally designed tools to ensure that school readiness goals for enrolled children are addressed with appropriate individualized activities.
• Conduct a regular visitation and follow‑up cycle for all assigned classrooms that includes written communication of areas of strength and areas for improvement needed.
• Serve as part of a multidisciplinary team along with the Site Supervisor and Early Childhood Clinician to support effective teaching practices and optimize child outcomes.
• Assist teaching staff in developing a system that offers parents opportunities for enhancing their skills as first educators of their children through the use of home learning activities, family nights, planning educational activities, and providing opportunities to volunteer, attend training, etc.
• Observe individual children as requested by teachers and provide suggestions for behavior management and educational programming.
• Plan for and equip indoor and outdoor areas to meet children's developmental and safety needs in accordance with budgetary requirements in coordination with the Site Supervisor.
• Coordinate with the Site Supervisors and teaching staff to ensure Active Supervision and health and safety measures are being implemented in all classrooms.
• Monitor individual plans for each child to include goal setting based on identified needs and prescriptions for objectives and activities to meet established goals (outcomes).
• Assist the Education & Disabilities Specialist in content area planning, development, operation, data management, record keeping, and monitoring.
• Apply Practice‑Based Coaching (PBC) to deliver coaching strategies; develop coaching plans with each teacher and document progress on each visit.
• Ensure home visits, child screenings, referrals, and parent‑teacher conferences are happening as required.
• Assist classroom staff in a system for maintaining an inventory of classroom materials and supplies that is checked at least annually.
• Attend home visits, parent conferences, and PPT meetings when requested or as necessary.
• Monitor child files and data systems to ensure that data is regularly collected and entered into ChildPlus and SmartTeach.
• Participate in weekly Selection to establish appropriate classroom placement.
• Assist all sites to ensure that the program transition protocol for children moving from Early Head Start into Head Start is completed in a timely manner and ensure a smooth and comfortable transition for children and their families.
• Assist families, administrators, and teachers in educational and developmental continuity between Head Start services and elementary school expectations.
• Give feedback to classroom staff and submit recommendations to the supervisor; provide input for teaching staff development; assist Site Supervisor in goals and objectives for professional development plans as needed.
• Assist Site Supervisor with classroom coverage as needed.
• Participate in training opportunities, state meetings, committees and task forces as appropriate.
• Maintain strict confidentiality with respect to Head Start/Early Head Start children, families, and staff in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Create, foster, and maintain a positive culture and climate across the program and support the mission and vision of CREC and CREC Head Start.
• Ensure compliance with Head Start Performance Standards and all federal, state, and local entities.
• Comply with all company policies and procedures.
• Other duties as assigned.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position has no supervisory responsibilities, but participates in staff coaching, development, and performance management.

Competencies

• Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.
• Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in‑group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Technical Skills - Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; Pursues training and development opportunities; Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; Shares expertise with others. Project Management - Develops project plans; Coordinates projects; Communicates changes and progress; Completes projects on time and budget; Manages project team activities.
• Interpersonal Skills - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.
• Written & Oral Communication - Speaks and writes clearly; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Speaks and writes clearly and informatively; Varies communication style to meet needs; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.
• Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
• Diversity & Ethics - Demonstrates knowledge of EEO policy; Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; Treats people with respect; educates others on the value of diversity; promotes a harassment‑free environment; Builds a diverse workforce; Keeps commitments; Works with integrity; Upholds organizational values.
• Judgment - Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision‑making process; Makes timely decisions.
• Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Plans for additional resources; Sets goals and objectives; Organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; Develops realistic action plans.
• Attendance/Punctuality - Is consistently at work and on time; Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; Arrives at meetings and appointments on time.
• Quality Management - Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
• Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly.
• Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
• Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals. Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree (BA) or advanced degree in early childhood education; OR Bachelor's Degree (BA) or advanced degree in a related field AND equivalent early childhood education coursework WITH early education teaching experience.
• Knowledge of Head Start / Early Head Start preferred.
• Ability to provide training in principles of child development and School Readiness to large groups.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.

Travel Requirements

Valid Motor Vehicle Operator's License and personal reliable vehicle in order to travel locally between sites and to participate in training.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Working in CREC's Early Childhood programs requires prolonged standing/movement, frequent bending and crouching, lifting and carrying materials up to 50 lbs., fine motor skills for manipulating small objects, clear speaking voice, good vision and hearing, the ability to focus on multiple tasks simultaneously, and sometimes the need to move quickly to respond to student needs. Staff require the ability to work in a high‑energy environment with varying noise levels (from quiet to loud) based on student activity. Staff is expected to work both indoors and outdoors (as needed) and may be expected to participate in off‑site field experiences.

WHAT IS IN IT FOR YOU?

• Group Health Insurance Plans
• Basic & Supplemental Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability & Short‑Term Disability options
• 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan with Employer Matching Contribution if applicable
• Flexible Spending Account Pre‑Tax Savings for Health Care, Dependent Care, and Limited Purpose Post Deductible (if contributing to an HSA)
• Comprehensive benefit time package
• Employee Assistance Program
• Bereavement time & Religious Holidays
• Credit Union Access
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Employee Network Groups
• Access to professional learning opportunities with two fully paid courses through CREC University each year, empowering you to expand your skills and advance your career!
• Benefit from our exclusive partnership with Springfield College, offering a 15% discount on tuition for next‑level degree programs to support your academic and career aspirations!

Based on terms and conditions during your employment, specific to your job classification and collective bargaining agreement.

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Statement

CREC strives to understand and confront the symptoms and causes of racism and prejudiceranging from biases to aggressions to discriminatory policies, practices, and traditionsthat harm people from systemically marginalized groups or that benefit privileged groups. CREC staff and students acknowledge and respect people of all identifiers, such as race, socioeconomic status, gender identity and expression, education, age, ability, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation, language, nationality, religion, and veteran status.

Disclaimer Statement

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.