The Early Learning Career Launch Specialist plays a key role in the implementation and continued development of Early Learning Career Launch (ELCL), with primary responsibility for supporting Levels I and II. The Specialist supports individuals as they explore and enter the early childhood profession and provides individualized, relationship-based coaching from initial career exploration through training, employment, mentorship, and early career development. This includes helping participants identify and overcome barriers, build confidence and professional skills, navigate employment and workplace challenges, strengthen classroom practices, establish career goals, and successfully transition into continued professional growth. The Specialist has primary responsibility for the day-to-day coordination and implementation of ELCL Level II, supporting participants through training, employment, mentorship, and early career support. The Specialist works closely with ELCL training partners responsible for instructional delivery while ensuring participants receive the individualized coaching, career navigation, employment connections, and resources necessary to successfully enter and establish themselves within the early childhood workforce. The Specialist will play a significant role in the continued development of ELCL Level I, helping create accessible entry points via a high school pathway. In partnership with the Director of Program Innovation, the Specialist will support the research, development, pilot, implementation, and continuous improvement of Level I programming and help establish clear transitions from career exploration into Level II, employment, education, and continued professional advancement. As part of UWGC's broader support of early childhood quality improvement, the Specialist will also maintain CLASS observer certification and reliability in Infant, Toddler, and Pre-K CLASS and support Ready Region Blue Ridge by scheduling and completing up to 20 CLASS observations annually and providing feedback to observed educators. These responsibilities are completed in coordination with the Ready Region Blue Ridge VQB5 team. Success in this role depends on exceptional relationship-building skills, strong communication, initiative, and the ability to establish trust with educators, employers, training partners, and community partners while navigating complex systems and supporting participants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. The Specialist must also be a high-quality facilitator and instructor for adult learners, with the ability to create engaging, inclusive, culturally responsive, and practical learning experiences. While external partners may provide significant portions of ELCL training, the Specialist should be prepared to facilitate workshops, employment-readiness activities, professional development, provide CLASS coaching and trainings as well as other learning opportunities as ELCL programming evolves. This role requires a self-starter who is comfortable working independently, taking initiative, moving work forward, and adapting quickly as program models, partnerships, participant needs, and organizational priorities evolve. As ELCL continues to expand, the Early Learning Career Launch Specialist will help identify emerging workforce needs, recommend solutions, and support the development and implementation of strategies that strengthen Levels I and II and create clear pathways into continued education, credential attainment, and career advancement. The Early Learning Career Launch Specialist will support and exemplify the United Way core values of: Humility

• Compassion
• Equity
• Advocacy
• Conviction
• Collaboration Work Location This is a remote position with no regularly assigned in-office workday; however, the role requires significant in-person engagement throughout the community.

The ELCL Specialist will have flexibility to develop and manage their schedule in coordination with their supervisor and based on program, participant, and partner needs. The position requires regular on-site visits and engagement with early childhood educators, employers, community partners, and other stakeholders throughout the Greater Charlottesville area and Ready Region Blue Ridge service area. Attendance at meetings, trainings, site visits, observations, recruitment and community events, and occasional activities at the United Way of Greater Charlottesville office will be required. Regular regional travel and reliable transportation are required. Mileage for approved work-related travel will be reimbursed in accordance with UWGC policy. Responsibilities Early Learning Career Launch Lead the day-to-day coordination and implementation of ELCL Level II and serve as the primary UWGC point of contact for Level II participants. Coordinate and promote recruitment, participant selection, onboarding, cohort communication, and program implementation in collaboration with ELCL and community partners. Maintain strong coordination with training partners responsible for Level II instructional delivery to ensure participant needs, program expectations, schedules, and outcomes are aligned. Build strong relationships with participants and provide individualized support throughout their ELCL experience. Monitor participant engagement and progress and proactively identify barriers that may interfere with successful program completion or employment. Connect participants with appropriate professional, financial, transportation, childcare, and community resources when barriers are identified. Develop and maintain relationships with participating early childhood employers and understand their staffing needs, workplace environments, and available employment opportunities. Coordinate employer engagement in ELCL, including site visits, participant-employer connections, hiring activities, and other workforce experiences with community partners. Facilitate successful transitions from Level II training into early childhood employment. Provide structured post-placement support to ELCL educators and employers to strengthen onboarding, early employment success, and retention. Coordinate mentorship opportunities and monitor mentor/mentee engagement, including serving as a mentor to ELCL participants when appropriate to provide individualized guidance, professional support, and encouragement as they transition into and navigate the early childhood workforce. Provide monthly post-hire coaching and check-ins for Level II candidates, supporting educators in their transition to the classroom and providing individualized coaching aligned with CLASS domains, effective teacher-child interactions, reflective practice, and support educators in gaining confidence in their new career. Develop and facilitate ELCL workshops, professional development, employment-readiness activities, and other training opportunities for participants and educators based on identified program and workforce needs. Identify employment or retention challenges early and work collaboratively with educators and employers to identify appropriate solutions while maintaining confidentiality. Support successful transition of eligible participants from Level II into Level III and other continuing education or career advancement opportunities, as applicable. Monitor and manage the ELCL client portal, ensuring participant information and program records remain accurate and up to date, tracking participant progress and required documentation, addressing system or user needs, and supporting ongoing improvements to strengthen the participant experience and program administration. Maintain accurate and organized program records for ELCL Levels I and II. Collect participant, employer, provider, and partner feedback to identify strengths, barriers, and opportunities for improvement. Build and maintain productive relationships with educators, early childhood employers, training partners, schools, workforce organizations, and community partners. Participate in ELCL team meetings, relevant Ready Region meetings, workforce workgroups, provider convenings, community meetings, and professional development. Support outreach and communication related to ELCL Levels I and II. Represent ELCL and UWGC professionally in meetings, community events, recruitment activities, and partner engagements. ELCL Level I - Career Exploration & Workforce Pipeline Support the Director of Program Innovation in the, development, pilot, implementation, and continuous improvement of ELCL Level I, with increasing responsibility for day-to-day coordination as the pathway is established. Help establish Level I as an accessible entry point for high schoolers interested in exploring careers in early childhood care and education. Research and recommend promising practices for early childhood career exploration, recruitment, pre-employment preparation, and workforce pipeline development. Develop recruitment and engagement strategies designed to reach diverse populations and individuals who may not have previously considered careers in early childhood education. Build relationships with schools, workforce development organizations, community organizations, employers, and other partners that can strengthen the early childhood workforce pipeline. Support the development of Level I eligibility, recruitment, onboarding, participation, completion, and transition processes. Develop or facilitate career exploration, workplace-readiness, and introductory early childhood learning experiences as appropriate. Support participants in understanding early childhood career opportunities, credential requirements, career pathways, compensation, and opportunities for professional advancement. Establish clear pathways for successful Level I participants to transition into Level II, employment, education, or other appropriate workforce opportunities. Track Level I participation, completion, transitions, and other outcomes to inform continuous program improvement. Gather participant and partner feedback and recommend changes that strengthen Level I effectiveness and accessibility. CLASS Observation Support Obtain and maintain CLASS observer certification and annual reliability in Infant, Toddler, and Pre-K CLASS. Coordinate and schedule assigned CLASS observations in collaboration with the Ready Region Blue Ridge VQB5 team and participating early childhood programs. Conduct up to 20 CLASS observations per semester in accordance with required CLASS protocols, VQB5 requirements, and established timelines. Complete required documentation associated with assigned CLASS observations accurately and within established timelines. Provide strengths-based, culturally responsive feedback to educators following observations, helping teachers understand their CLASS results and identify opportunities to strengthen teacher-child interactions. Participate in required CLASS training, calibration, and recertification activities necessary to maintain reliability in Infant, Toddler, and Pre-K CLASS. Qualifications Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with demonstrated ability to establish trusting relationships with adult learners, early childhood educators, employers, training partners, and community organizations. Demonstrated commitment to strengthening opportunities for individuals entering and advancing within the early childhood profession, including individuals impacted by systemic barriers to employment and career advancement. Ability to support adult learners using strengths-based, culturally responsive, and individualized approaches. Demonstrated ability to develop and facilitate high-quality training and professional development for adult learners using engaging, practical, culturally responsive, and evidence-informed instructional practices. Strong organizational, time-management, and project-management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a hybrid environment. Demonstrated ability to work independently, take initiative, identify needs, and follow projects through completion with limited supervision. Flexible and adaptable, with the ability to respond to changing priorities while maintaining high standards of quality and professionalism. Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills with the ability to anticipate challenges, evaluate options, and implement effective solutions. High level of professionalism, discretion, and sensitivity when working with participants and confidential information. Associate degree required; bachelor's degree preferred, or three or more years of relevant experience in early childhood education, workforce development, adult education, career services, program coordination, or a related field. Experience working with early childhood programs, workforce initiatives, adult learners, employers, or community-based programs preferred. Knowledge of Virginia early childhood systems, licensing requirements, workforce challenges, quality improvement systems, and publicly funded early childhood programs preferred, or demonstrated willingness to learn. Knowledge of employment-readiness, workforce development, career navigation, or employee retention strategies preferred. Ability and willingness to obtain and maintain CLASS observer certification and annual reliability in Infant, Toddler, and Pre-K CLASS, including completion of required training, calibration, and recertification activities. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and comfort using participant tracking, data, and reporting systems. Ability to use basic program and workforce data to identify trends and inform program improvement. Ability to facilitate meetings, workshops, presentations, and professional development with participants and partners. Demonstrates punctuality, dependability, collaboration, and professionalism in all interactions. Valid Virginia driver's license and reliable transportation required; frequent travel throughout the region is expected. Ability to read, write, speak, and understand the English language. Physical Requirements Prolonged periods sitting at a desk, working on a computer, or working at classroom level. Ability to lift up to 15 pounds occasionally. Ability to travel regularly to locations throughout Greater Charlottesville and the Ready Region Blue Ridge service area. Additional Notes This is a grant-funded position primarily supporting Early Learning Career Launch (ELCL), with a defined portion of the position supporting CLASS observation activities on behalf of Ready Region Blue Ridge. Continued employment is contingent upon funding availability. The first 90 days of employment will serve as an orientation and evaluation period. The Early Learning Career Launch Specialist works in alignment with ELCL and organizational strategies established by UWGC leadership and is not responsible for final decisions regarding overall program direction or resource allocation.

Pay:

$55,000.00 - $60,000.00 per year

Work Location:

Hybrid remote in Charlottesville, VA 22902