Introduction
The State of Connecticut, Office of Early Childhood coordinates the delivery of early childhood services for the state’s youngest residents, including early care and education, home visiting, developmental support, and program and provider development. Behind this work is a growing team of operations professionals working to ensure that our customers receive the most responsive care and that our employees have the tools and resources necessary to do their jobs well.
The earliest years of a child’s life have a huge impact. They shape who that child will grow up to be, affecting their future health, education, and success.
That’s why the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC) focuses on children from birth into grade school. Helping young children learn, develop, and overcome barriers will have benefits that last a lifetime.
What we do
OEC is a state agency that oversees a network of programs and services that help young children and families thrive. A key part of that work is supporting the providers, teachers, and other professionals who have dedicated their careers to caring for and educating children.
We help children and families
OEC works hard to support and strengthen families in Connecticut. At OEC, we:
•Help parents find and pay for high-quality licensed child care and camps
•Inspect and license child care programs and camps, so parents can trust that their children are in good hands
•Offer trainings and resources to help parents build their parenting skills
•Oversee programs for families with children who have developmental delays and disabilities
•Help protect children and prevent child abuse
We help early childhood professionals
No job is more important than caring for and educating children. To support our partners in the early childhood field, we:
•Guide providers through the licensing and background checks process
•Offer training, scholarships, and development opportunities to professionals to build their careers
•Provide funding to programs that offer services to families
New parenthood and early childhood are extremely important moments in a person’s life and nurturing or harmful experiences during this time can have significant and long lasting impacts. OEC acts on the overwhelming evidence that intervention early in life is the most promising way to break the cycle of poverty.
As part of a dynamic and energetic team this individual will assist with administering all aspects of Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) including developing the state's system of general supervision, monitoring programs, fiscal audits, identifying non-compliance and tracking the timely correction of noncompliance. This individual will take the lead on completing reports required by the US Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs as developed and revised from time to time. As part of results driven accountability, this individual will provide technical assistance to Early Intervention Service (EIS) programs and staff, manage the public-facing website and blog content and will develop Birth to Three systems procedures and guidance documents and tools. The Birth to Three System nationally and in Connecticut is continually evolving so responsibilities change over time.
This position is located at 450 Columbus Boulevard, Hartford. The hours are 8:00 - 3:30, Monday - Friday. In-state and out-of-state travel may be required to participate in cross-agency collaborations and provider training and technical assistance.
Selection Plan
This position will be filled in accordance with reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules.
If selected to interview, please bring the following at the time of interview:
• Non State employee: A current resume and the names and contact information for three (3) professional references, one of which must be a current or most recent supervisor.
• State Employee: A current resume and two (2) most recent service ratings at the time of the interview.
Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment please e-mail Mr. Chris Beloff at chris.beloff@ct.gov.
Updates to the status of your application will only be made via e-mail through your JobAps account.
PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)
In a state agency this class is accountable for planning, developing, coordinating, implementing and evaluating early childhood, rehabilitative education, employment and/or social service programs for clients, staff and appropriate community groups and assisting the administrative official or designee in developing and implementing special federal and other grant projects.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
Plans, develops, authors, coordinates and implements educational and/or social service programs for clients such as early childhood, college preparatory, special employment, socialization, recreation and home repairs programs; assists in planning, developing and coordinating staff short term inservice training; plans, develops and coordinates short term special educational programs for teachers and various appropriate community groups relating to blindness in general and actual or potential services for blind persons or others with disabilities; assists in planning, developing and implementing of special federal and other grant programs for adults and children with disabilities; identifies needs and determines priorities for further program development and implementation; participates in agency public relations activities and prepares reports as required; performs related duties as required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY
Considerable knowledge of problems of persons with physical, visual or other disabilities and services available for such persons; knowledge of educational and training methodology; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; some supervisory ability.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE
Seven (7) years of experience serving the blind, deaf and hearing impaired and/or persons with physical or other disabilities including considerable responsibility for coordination of educational or training programs and some experience with grant programs.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED
1. College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
2. A Master's degree in education, rehabilitation or a human services area may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
As an active participant on an energetic and
dynamic team, the preferred candidate will have the following:
·
Ten (10) years of experience providing Birth to
Three Early Intervention Supports (EIS) to families with infants and toddlers by
developing Individualized Family Service Plans and planning transition;
·
Seven (7) years tracking IDEA compliance and
results;
·
Five (5) years using coaching or reflective
supervision to provide technical assistance with EIS practitioners;
·
Considerable knowledge about how the IDEA Part C
is implemented in Connecticut;
·
Considerable knowledge about the Part C evidence
based practices being implemented in the state;
·
Considerable knowledge about the IDEA
requirements for general supervision and the CT Part C state-identified
measurable result and SSIP;
·
A documented history functioning and problem
solving independently and meeting deadlines;
·
Experience developing procedures and service
guidelines;
·
Familiarity with html/website/WordPress online
content management and other online tools to create efficiencies and manage
projects;
·
Experience presenting to large groups,
facilitating meetings and providing technical assistance;
·
Advanced skills with MS Office 365 including
Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Stream, TEAMS, One Drive and Planner;
·
Considerable oral and written communication
skills;
·
Experience writing grant applications;
·
Experience with electronic record keeping such
as electronic medical records and electronic file transfers.
Conclusion
AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.
The OEC is a proud supporter of the state's Telework Program and provides flexible work schedules to its employees.
