Early Childhood Specialist

The Southeast Iowa Early Childhood Project is an Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) coaching and consulting program dedicated to helping early childhood educators and families promote young children's healthy social-emotional development. Our work focuses on building skills such as emotional expression, relationship-building, and successful engagement between children, families and with early childhood professionals.

The service area is:

Des Moines, Louisa, Washington, Henry, Van Buren, Lee, Iowa, Jefferson, and Keokuk counties. The Early Childhood Specialist provides IECMH coaching and consultation to families and early childhood programs. This role supports family members and professionals in implementing evidence-based social-emotional learning strategies, addressing challenging behaviors, and promoting positive relationships and engagement. Specialists help caregivers manage stress and utilize promoting and preventative practices to support children in all environments. Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Human Development, Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or related field (Master's preferred). Experience working in early childhood settings and/or with families. Ability to build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with service providers and families. Knowledge of social-emotional development and trauma-informed care. Demonstrated understanding of infant and early childhood mental health practices and implications for children, families and the early childhood workforce. Ability to lead and facilitate provider training and/or parent education groups. Strong communication and collaboration skills. Ability to work independently, prioritize and manage multiple tasks. Commitment to maintaining confidentiality, professionalism, and objectivity. Ability to adapt to diverse program needs. Must have a valid driver's license or acceptable alternative transportation for travel within designated counties. Preferred Qualifications Familiarity with Practice-Based Coaching and IECMH principles. Experience providing reflective supervision or coaching. Comfort with technology for virtual consultations and providing professional development. Responsibilities Deliver one-on-one and small group practice-based coaching to early childhood professionals. Support professionals in implementing evidence-based, social-emotional learning (SEL) strategies. Provide wrap-around consultation (including home visits) and appropriate referrals for families as needed. Provide reflective coaching and consulting with program managers in the early childhood workforce to support policies and procedures that support the needs of staff, families, and children. Provide guidance and model developmentally appropriate activities for children and effective ways to work with and support children. Provide child development information (including social-emotional development and mental health) and support with challenging interactions through a trauma informed approach. Support, coordinate and provide training to childcare professionals, families and/or the early childhood workforce. Provide written and oral observations and assessments, and strengths-based feedback. Use results of screenings and assessments to guide work with families and programs to set goals and develop individualized plans. Maintain accurate documentation and communication with programs and families. Participate in ongoing professional development related to IECMH and early childhood best practices. Collaborate with other agencies who are addressing the social-emotional needs of children, families, and the early childhood workforce. Document and submit necessary information for grant reporting. Collaborate on committee/board work at local, regional, and state levels. Maintain regular and prompt attendance. Attend required staff meetings (face-to-face or virtual). Other duties as assigned. Additional Information Employment duration is July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. Term appointment with continuation contingent upon funding.

Pay:

$24.00 - $27.00 per hour

Benefits:

Dental insurance Health insurance Paid time off Retirement plan

Work Location:

Hybrid remote in Mount Pleasant, IA 52641