Early Childhood Program Specialist at UMATILLA-MORROW COUNTY HEAD START INC – Hermiston, Oregon

Job Goal:

The Early Childhood Services Specialist ensures the delivery of comprehensive, high-quality services that support children’s health, development, mental health, disabilities, and family well-being across all program options.

This position provides both direct services to children and families and programmatic support to staff and contracted sites through training, technical assistance, monitoring, and compliance activities. The specialist promotes inclusive, trauma-informed, and family-centered practices aligned with Head Start Program Performance Standards, IDEA, and agency policies.

Essential Responsibilities:

Family & Direct Service Support

Recruitment & Enrollment

• Recruit and enroll eligible children and families, prioritizing children with disabilities, developmental delays, and high-risk needs
• Maintain full enrollment and track applications, eligibility, and referrals
• Ensure compliance with disability enrollment requirements

Family Engagement & Support

• Conduct home visits and complete Family Partnership Agreements
• Partner with families to establish goals and connect to community resources
• Maintain referral systems and follow up to ensure services are accessed
• Build trusting, culturally responsive relationships with families

Health & Nutrition Services

• Conduct or coordinate vision, hearing, and developmental screenings
• Support families in establishing medical and dental homes
• Track immunizations, exams, and follow-ups
• Conduct nutrition assessments and connect families to supports (e.g., WIC and community resources)
• Coordinate referrals to health specialists as needed

Education and Mental Health Component Support

Disabilities & Inclusion Services

• Coordinate developmental screenings and referrals to Early Intervention (Part C) and Local Education Agencies
• Support children with disabilities or suspected delays
• Monitor and support implementation of IFSPs and accommodations in classrooms
• Ensure documentation and service tracking in ChildPlus
• Collaborate with teachers to integrate IFSP goals into daily routines
• Coordinate transition planning for children entering kindergarten
• Promote inclusive practices and individualized supports

Mental Health & Social-Emotional Support

• Coordinate services with mental health consultants
• Support early identification of social-emotional and behavioral needs
• Assiststaff with behavior support plans and classroom strategies
• Promote trauma-informed practices and emotionally supportive environments
• Support implementation of Conscious Discipline, PBIS, and other social-emotional frameworks

Education & Classroom Support

• Support curriculum fidelity and implementation of the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework
• Collaborate with education staff on inclusive instruction
• Integrate screening and assessment data into planning
• Provide resources for classroom accommodations and tiered supports

Early Childhood Contract Site Coordination

Training, Technical Assistance & Professional Development

• Develop and deliver training for staff on:
  • Disabilities and inclusion
  • Mental health practices
  • Compliance requirements
• Provide ongoing technical assistance to classrooms and contracted sites
• Co-facilitate professional development and prepare training materials
• Support staff in using screening and assessment tools (ASQ, DECA, etc.)

Program Monitoring, Compliance & Data

• Monitor contracted sites and classrooms for compliance with:
  • Head Start Performance Standards
  • IDEA requirements
  • Agency policies

• Maintain accurate service and referral documentation in ChildPlus
• Track service timelines and outcomes
• Prepare reports for stakeholders, PIR, monitoring, and continuous improvement
• Complete monthly monitoring and progress reports
• Identify areas for improvement and recommend solutions

Collaboration & Community Partnerships

• Partner with community agencies and service providers
• Coordinate cross-agency supports for families
• Participate in staffing meetings, case conferences, and planning efforts
• Support community needs assessments and program planning

General Staff Responsibilities:

• Participate in staff meetings, conferences, training sessions and workshops as assigned 
• Demonstrate familiarity with employment policies, performance standards, work plan and objectives of Agency 
• Maintain congenial and respectful relations with staff, children, families and community 
• Keep current and accurate records and file reports on time 
• Maintain confidentiality in regards to staff and family information 
• Maintain objectives and professional standards 
• Improve self‐skills and education 
• Fulfill role as mandated reporter as stated in Child Abuse and Neglect Policy 
• Be present at work in order to provide consistency of services 
• Be a contributory team member in a positive/productive manner 
• Demonstrate commitment to mission, values, and policies in the performance of daily duties 
• And or any other duties deemed necessary by your supervisor 

Education Requirements:

• Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Social Work, Psychology, or related field required
• Bachelor’s degree preferred

Experience and Skills Requirements:

• 2–3+ years working with children birth–5 and families
• Experience with disabilities, developmental delays, or behavioral/mental health supports
• Experience in training, coaching, or technical assistance preferred
• Head Start or early childhood program experience preferred
• Knowledge of Head Start Program Performance Standards and IDEA
• Strong family engagement and case management skills
• Understanding of trauma-informed and inclusive practices
• Strong documentation, organization, and data tracking skills
• Ability to collaborate across teams and community partners
• Cultural responsiveness and ability to work with diverse families
• Experience with ChildPlus and screening tools preferred

Certifications:

• CLASS Certification or willingness to obtain upon hire
• Interrater Reliability Certification or willingness to obtain upon hire
• First Aid/CPR (or willingness to obtain)
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands and work environment described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to:

• Sit for long periods of time with daily use computer screen;
• Do tasks involving repetitive arm and hand movements, such as heavy word processing/keyboarding, using various office tools to collate, punch, cut, or stamp paper and other repetitive or high‐volume tasks such as bulk mailings, filing projects, etc.;
• Occasional filing is required. This would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bending as necessary;
• Occasionally required to stand, walk and reach with hands and arms;
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to50 pounds

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

Work Environment/Conditions:

• Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.
• Job tasks are performed in close physical proximity to other people
• Observing and responding to children’s needs
• Frequent movement between sites

Safety:

Apply safe practices in the performance of duties

• Reporting of unsafe or hazardous working conditions and/or any injury immediately
• Complying with Agency safety standards
• Participate in emergency drills
• Promote a culture of safe environments in the workplace

Agency‐Wide Requirements:

• Current enrollment in the Child Care Licensing Division’s Central Background Registry
• Current physical examination, drug screen, and TB screen documentation prior to hire
• Ability to drive a private or Agency vehicle; must possess a valid driver's license and personal automobile or provide a plan that will allow fulfillment of position requirements. A DMV Record check will be conducted prior to hire.
• Desire to work with low‐income children and their families
• Communicate effectively with staff, families, children, and the public using the telephone and in face‐to‐face, one‐to‐one, and in group settings
• Fluent in English both verbally and written

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change. 

Umatilla-Morrow Head Start, Inc. is committed to providing equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals in all aspects of employment, including, but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, job assignments, promotions, career advancement opportunities, working conditions, scheduling, disciplinary action, termination of employment, compensation, and access to benefits and training. We recruit, hire, and promote into all job levels the most qualified applicants without regard to legally protected characteristics.