Pay Grade: 31E

Context of the Job:

The Department of Human Development and Family Sciences (HDFS) within the College of Education and Human Development is a diversified Department with undergraduate and graduate programs that require a close working relationship with the State of Delaware, Federal Agencies, local school systems, and numerous Health and Service agencies. 

The Department houses the Delaware Institute for Excellence in Early Childhood (DIEEC). The DIEEC supports early childhood workforce and programming services for children aged six weeks to twelve years of age through the translation of evidence-based practices to community-based settings as well as the generation of new knowledge via applied research. The DIEEC serves the state and nation through the provision of professional development for early childhood educators in family childcare and center-based childcare programs, technical assistance to early care and education programs through Delaware’s quality rating and improvement system, direct services to children and families through the New Directions Early Head Start program, and applied research in diverse early care and education settings.

The Associate Director, Early Childhood works under the limited direction of the Deputy Director, DIEEC. This position directs and leads the development and delivery of professional learning experiences for Delaware’s early childhood workforce and oversees direct service staff implementing these efforts. The Associate Director, Early Childhood collaborates with internal and external partners to ensure effective delivery of services that meet the needs of Delaware’s early childhood community.

This position is a full-time grant-funded position. 

Major Responsibilities:

• Administers day-to-day operations of providing professional development and quality improvement supports to Delaware’s early childhood community.
• Leads development, implementation, and oversight of professional development supports (e.g., trainings, coaching, technical assistance) for early childhood educators and programs in Delaware.
• Supervises and supports staff providing professional development to the early childhood education workforce.
• Leads and provides oversight on hiring, trainings, and evaluation of direct service staff.
• Collaborates and actively contributes to DIEEC strategic planning.
• Collaborates with and serves as contact for state, local, university, nonprofit, and private agencies or organizations to build relationships to strengthen DIEEC visibility and participation in the community. 
• Serves as DIEEC liaison with the Delaware Department of Education in the development and implementation of early childhood data systems.
• Serves as DIEEC liaison with statewide early childhood strategic planning teams.
• Remains well-informed regarding relevant program, state, and national research and uses to inform strategic planning and quality improvement efforts.
• Leads the planning and implementation process related to identifying and meeting relevant deliverables of contracts with state agencies.
• Completes relevant monthly, quarterly, and annual reports and maintenance of records for contract/grant deliverables.
• Contributes to grant and contract proposals to support DIEEC research and program evaluation.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree, doctoral level preparation preferred, in early childhood education or related field, and five years of experience related to professional development, technical assistance, and program planning in the early childhood context.
• Knowledge of adult learning principles, early childhood development, early care and education settings, and recommended practices for early care and education.
• Supervisory experience.
• Experience in program planning, development, and evaluation.
• Experience with e-learning platforms and data management.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Experience in collaboration and building partnerships as well as the ability to interact with a diverse group of individuals.
• Demonstrated understanding and consideration of the differing needs and concerns of individuals with varying identities, cultures, and backgrounds.
• Committed to fostering a workplace culture of belonging, where diversity is celebrated, and equity is a core value.