The Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency (KRESA) is a critical part of Michigan’s education system serving the Greater Kalamazoo region and provides specialized services to schools and communities and optimizes resources by centralizing innovative programs and services. We partner with school districts and the broader community to offer essential programs including early childhood education, special education, career learning, and educator development, ensuring that learners of all ages receive the support they need.

We are currently seeking an Early Childhood Specialist at the Head Start/GSRP Administration Office (422 E South St) in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The essential responsibilities for this position include but are not limited to:

Align services with KRESA Core Values (Collaboration, Innovation, Compassion, Respect, and Integrity) and Culture & Belonging principles to engage and serve all students
Ensure the fidelity of implementation of GSRP policies and procedures for the education portion of the program
Support effective implementation of classroom requirements and quality based on the GSRP Implementation Manual and Kalamazoo County Pre-K’s best practices.
Demonstrate knowledge of the Early Childhood Standards of Quality for Pre-Kindergarten.
Achieve and maintain status as a reliable assessor in CLASS Observation Tool for program evaluation.
Complete CLASS Observations, as required, with all assigned GSRP teaching teams.
Demonstrate knowledge and expertise of child development, preschool curricula, child assessment and screening tools, adult learning styles, coaching techniques, culture and belonging, county-wide early childhood programs and quality improvement.
Conduct ongoing coaching and support to assigned teaching teams, and early childhood directors as appropriate, and document evidence in weekly coaching logs.
Provide written and verbal feedback to program staff throughout the year to promote program improvement.
Assist each assigned GSRP teaching team with curriculum and assessment planning and implementation
Facilitate the development of meaningful program quality improvement goals and objectives with each assigned teaching team.
Plan and deliver early childhood professional development and training experiences for teaching teams working in early childhood programs based on identified classroom needs.
Support GSRP teachers, parents and other program staff, with ongoing data analysis utilizing appropriate sources of data.
Serve as a liaison between Kalamazoo RESA, local school districts and early childhood community stakeholders.
Demonstrate knowledge of GSRP implementation requirements, policies, and procedures.
Embrace continuous improvement through personal professional development opportunities.
Collaborate with Child Care Resources, the Great Start Collaborative, Kalamazoo County Ready 4s, and KRESA Head Start as it relates to the work of supporting GSRP classroom staff and programs.
Participate in coordinated countywide efforts to recruit and enroll children in preschool.
Write reports, correspondence, policies and procedures, or other required documents as assigned by Early Childhood Contact.
Regularly meet with Executive Director of Early Childhood
Promote and model KRESA’s core values along with a growth mindset
Encourage and promote KRESA Head Start’s community agreement
Embrace, support, and practice a culture of belonging
Regular and consistent attendance
Other duties as assigned

Qualified candidates will have a graduate degree in Early Childhood or Child Development, and/or five or more years of relevant job experience.

Other Skill & Abilities Include:

Embraces and supports KRESA philosophies related to our core values (Collaboration, Innovation, Compassion, Respect, and Integrity), Culture & Belonging, and Continuous Improvement
Embraces and supports KRESA’s vision of a transformative, equitable and innovative education for all in the Greater Kalamazoo region.
Ability to interact effectively with individuals from a wide range of identities and lived experiences
Ability to discuss differences with colleagues and clients in a manner that supports building positive working relationships
Keep administrator abreast of department activity
Efficiently use computers and applicable software.
Effective communication and listening skills.
Delegate work assignments when appropriate.
Ability to visit assigned site locations across the county.
Keep the Executive Director of Early Childhood abreast of programs’ status.
Work in a team-oriented fashion.
Ability to problem solve.
Ability to read, analyze and interpret data.
Ability to write reports, correspondence and procedures.
Effectively present information in front of groups and engage with audience.
Maintain confidentiality.
Support and make decisions with sound judgment in a timely manner.
Develop strategies to achieve program goals.
Complete hours of work as necessary to reach goals.
Adapt to frequent changes in the work environment.
Practice safe work habits.
Use equipment and materials properly

This is a 10 month calendar position in job grade 17 with an annual rate of pay between $50,441.00 and $99,371.00

KRESA employees enjoy a comprehensive benefit offering that includes health insurance, paid time off, retirement benefits through Michigan’s Office of Retirement Services, tuition reimbursement, student loan forgiveness and wellness incentives – all within a supportive and caring culture centered around our values of collaboration, innovation, compassion, integrity, and respect.

A Great Place to Live and Work

Kalamazoo was recently recognized as a great place to live in the 2024 50 Best Places to Live roundup by Money.com. Kalamazoo was noted for its abundant family-friendly activities and appreciation for artisan-crafted goods, as well as the Kalamazoo Promise, a scholarship for each Kalamazoo Public School resident graduate that provides up to 100% tuition for post-secondary education.

Notice of Non-discrimination: It is the policy of Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency that no discriminating practices based on race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation or sexual identity), disability, age, religion, height, weight, marital or family status, military status, ancestry, genetic information, or any other legally protected category be allowed during any program, activity, service or in employment. The following position at Kalamazoo RESA has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policy: Executive Director of Human Resources. Contact information: 269-250-9200, 1819 E. Milham Ave, Portage, MI 49002.