Early Childhood Education Project Specialist

About YWCA

YWCA of Metropolitan St. Louis (YWCA) has been serving the community for more than 120 years, providing essential, wraparound services that support women and families throughout their time in our programs. Each year, YWCA serves approximately 10,000 women and their families, offering a multitude of services. YWCA is the largest provider of direct Head Start services in Missouri, operating 8 centers and 11 partner sites, and we are proud to hold the National Program of Excellence accreditation from the National Head Start Association.

Why Work With Us?

• Meaningful Work - Every role at YWCA helps create positive change in the community.
• Supportive Environment - Join a team that values collaboration and mutual respect.
• Professional Development - Opportunities for training and career growth.
• Work-Life Balance - Flexible scheduling and generous paid time off.
• Competitive Benefits - Health, dental, vision coverage, retirement plans, and wellness programs.
• Community Impact - Be part of programs that make a real difference for women, children, and families.

Our Signature Programs

• Early Childhood Education & Childcare – Providing safe, nurturing environments for children to learn and grow.
• Family Support Services – Helping families access resources and build stability.
• Health & Wellness Initiatives – Promoting physical and mental well-being through community programs.
• Advocacy & Outreach – Connecting individuals to opportunities and support systems that improve quality of life.

Submit your application and resume today. Join Us and Make a Difference Every Day!

Purpose

Support childcare professionals in gaining knowledge to improve skills through professional development opportunities, individualized technical assistance, and access to additional DESE quality initiative services. Utilize Community Partnerships support services in St. Charles, St. Louis City, and St. Louis County to intentionally meet the needs of each community.

Formal Policy-Setting Responsibilities

No formal responsibility. The policies associated with the job's purpose, essential responsibilities and operation is set by others

Formal Supervisory Responsibility

None

Description

• Design and deliver research-based training sessions for educators, families, and the community, employing diverse methods to ensure engagement and effectiveness.
• Obtain state approval for both in-person and virtual training programs, schedule and conduct sessions, and maintain a comprehensive professional development catalog.
• Research and reserve training spaces/locations, documenting events, supporting providers, collaborating with internal teams, and completing required reporting and data entry.
• Plan, market, coordinate, and deliver educational programs, training services, and professional development sessions for educators, families, and the community.
• Ensure to add variety to the training sessions to account for the many ways in which a participant learns new information, enabling training to be an effective and engaging experience for all participants
• Assist Project Managers in maintaining a professional development catalog, while using state-required platforms for approval and maintenance.
• Accurately and promptly complete all necessary agencies daily, monthly, and quarterly reporting and data entry, documenting all events in MOPD and internal agency database.
• Read and familiarize yourself with the work plan and contracts within the agency to ensure that you are aware of the responsibilities of the Education Department in meeting deliverables.
• Collaborate with the Lead Specialist to ensure education and training deliverables are met and support the classroom integration of skills gained from professional development.
• Assist providers with questions and registration for training opportunities.
• Help providers with inquiries and registration for training sessions.
• Actively participate in required meetings and personal professional development
• Travel to a variety of locations may be needed when conducting training.
• Other duties as assigned

To perform this job satisfactorily, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability, and environmental conditions required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Requirements

Required Knowledge

• Expert knowledge of Early Education, Child Development of children birth through age five (5), and Family Engagement
• Strong knowledge of child and adult development
• Relationship-Based Curriculum Development
• Ability to plan and organize complex projects
• Organizational skills and computer skills
• Ability to work with diverse educational environments and effective approaches to learning styles
• Effective verbal/written communication and interpersonal skills
• Knowledge of MOPD System
• Data analysis and computer mastery
• Experience working with varied population groups
• Ability to implement trauma informed strategies
• Self-starter and takes initiative.

Formal Education

• Associate degree with emphasis in Child Development, Early Childhood, Education, Special Education, Child Psychology, or related field. Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Equivalent work experience in Early Childhood, Early
• Childhood Special Education, Child Development, Elementary Education, Child Psychology, or a closely related field will also be accepted.
• At least 2 years working with teachers/staff in a licensed, regulated, or public-school childcare or education.
• At least 1-3 years of training and/or mentoring experience in the Early Childhood Field.

YWCA of Metro St. Louis is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind as defined by applicable federal, state, and local laws.