Child Services Coach (Head Start/ Early Head Start)

EPIC Early Learning is seeking a passionate Child Services Coach to join our dedicated team in supporting children's development and enhancing the quality of early childhood education. With over 45 years of experience, EPIC is committed to providing nurturing and impactful educational experiences for children and families across Central Washington.

As a Child Services Coach, you will work closely with educators and staff in our programs, providing support, training, and resources to enhance the implementation of educational practices that promote healthy child development. Your role will involve observing classrooms, offering constructive feedback, and assisting in the development of individualized curriculum that meet the diverse needs of children.

Responsibilities

• Ensure that ECE programs are operating at a high level of quality so that children’s welfare, safety and school readiness are of primary focus.
• Be an active member of the site management team by preparing for and participating in site-based staff meetings, parent meetings, Family Nights and all other center activities as required. Serve on other applicable community committees, boards, etc. as approved by supervisor.
• Provide and maintain a safe, healthy, responsive, trauma-sensitive, and nurturing learning environment for all children by modeling professional behavior, open communication, embodying a culture of safety and utilizing effective conflict resolution skills.
• Take an active role in planning to improve the delivery of services to children and families.
• Provide training, technical assistance and coaching to direct services staff in assigned areas, ensuring full compliance to Head Start Performance Standards, state licensing requirements and EPIC work plan.
• Participate in ongoing program monitoring and self-assessment activities as designed to identify areas of strength and non-compliance; determine program trends or issues; strategize with the team to ensure completion of follow-up.
• Regularly review child/family files and data tracking reports to ensure proper documentation, identify training needs, monitor compliance with Performance Standards and timelines, following up and resolving issues in a timely manner.
• Assure that all paperwork, records and data related to assigned areas are maintained and submitted accurately; proactively addressing and resolving concerns as they emerge.
• Interact with children and classroom staff on a regular basis by making scheduled and unannounced classroom visits, observations and monitoring. Provide feedback on an ongoing basis to the Center Manager regarding classroom observations, trainings provided to staff and staff compliance to Head Start Performance Standards.
• Follow proper reporting procedures for instances of unprofessional behavior, child abuse and neglect, failure to supervise, and other policy violations involving staff.
• Understand role of mandated reporter and abide by agency policies regarding child abuse and neglect.
• Support classrooms to maintain ratios as directed by Center Manager or designee.
• Provide assistance to other content coordinators and direct services staff, as needed, to support full compliance to screening requirements.
• Provide parent education services to enrolled families and partner with community agencies who provide parent education services. (i.e. parenting classes, life skills, family literacy, etc.)
• Proactively seek out in-kind opportunities and submit documentation according to established guidance.
• Involve parents in all aspects of the program by recruiting parents as volunteers, encouraging staff to involve parents in the classroom, empowering parents to serve on Policy Council, center committees, interview panels, and supporting parents in performing center activities such as Self-Assessment tasks.
• Build and maintain community partnerships with local agencies to prepare children and families for school by connecting them to resources by following the interagency referral process.
• Provide advocacy, training, and support to families who have children with diagnosed disabilities and/or mental health disorders.
• Arrange for evaluation by the LEA for special education services; coordinate to develop written agreements that will assure appropriate services and transitions for children with special needs in the Head Start Program; attend meetings regularly to ensure appropriate communication and documentation of special education and child mental health services.
• Be committed to characterizing a culture of safety within our centers, playgrounds, buses and anywhere that children may be present. Be familiar with and encourage EPICs culture of “Speak up, Speak out”.

• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education; or BA or advanced degree and coursework equivalent to a major relating to early childhood education, with experience teaching preschool-age children; OR
• AA in early childhood and/or related degree AND commit to a Training Plan to meet this goal within a specified timeframe.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in early childhood education or a related field
• Strong understanding of child development principles and best practices in early childhood education.
• Demonstrated success in a leadership role.
• Must be willing to become STARS certified trainer within 1 year after being hired.
• Provide advocacy, training, and support to families who have children with diagnosed disabilities and/or mental health disorders.
• Arrange for evaluation by the LEA for special education services; coordinate to develop written agreements that will assure appropriate services and transitions for children with special needs in the Head Start Program; attend meetings regularly to ensure appropriate communication and documentation of special education and child mental health services.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to motivate and support staff.
• Experience in curriculum development and implementation.
• Familiarity with assessment tools and strategies for monitoring child development.
• Cultural competence and the ability to work effectively with diverse populations.
• Be committed to characterizing a culture of safety within our centers, playgrounds, buses and anywhere that children may be present. Be familiar with and encourage EPICs culture of “Speak up, Speak out”.

Location: 220 E Helena Ave, Ellensburg, WA 98926

Pay Level: $68,640 - $74,880 per year (Non-Exempt, Hourly Management)

Position closes: August 4th, 2025

·         Medical/Dental/ Vision Plans

·         Sick Leave (5 hours per payroll)

·         Annual Leave (4 hours per payroll)

·         11 Paid Holidays

·         Employee Assistance Program

·         Basic Life Insurance

·         403 B (Employer match after 1 year or 1,000 hours)

·   As an employee of an Early Learning Non-Profit organization, you may be eligible for student loan forgiveness and childcare subsidy benefits. Additional information will be provided upon hire.

Conditions of Employment:

1. Prior to employment, complete a pre-employment drug screen and TB skin test by an EPIC-approved healthcare provider at no cost to the employee.
2. Pre-employment basic physical by an EPIC healthcare provider (obtain within 30 days of employment and no cost to the employee).
3. Must pass an initial and periodic background check through the Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF).
4. Provide proof of MMR vaccination and/ or resistance to Measles, Mumps & Rubella.
5. Current Food Handler's card (obtain the training within 30 days of employment).
6. Current First Aid/CPR card (obtain within thirty 30 days of employment).
7. Meet the minimum education requirements within the timeframe as stated in the performance standards.
8. Complete Child Abuse and Neglect training and all other mandated training.
9. CEO Approval.