Technical Assistance Specialist

Title: Technical Assistance Specialist - Southeast Region

Location:

MT - Remote/Travel

time type

Full time

job requisition id

JR6728

Job Description:

Technical Assistance Specialist (Eastern region)

Why Acelero?

Our mission is bold: To design and deliver research and evidence-based approaches to eliminate the gaps between young childrenʼs inherent potential and their achievement in school and life. With our partners, we accelerate child and family outcomes that honor all of the aspirations and cultures of the communities we serve. 

Our values: Data-Informed Learning; Transparent & Open Communication; Growth Mindset; Championing Equality; Caring Teams & Communities.

Who We Are:

Shine Early Learning partners with states and local communities to accelerate child and family outcomes by providing professional development and other supports. Since its founding in 2011, Shine Early Learning has partnered with cities, states, and programs across the U.S. serving hundreds of thousands of students, families, and educators. Shine Early Learning’s experts have decades of experience in early child care education, training, and technical assistance.  Montana selected Shine Early Learning as the state’s new regulatory and quality technical assistance services vendor.

The Montana based project, named SPARK Learning Lab Montana (SPARK), provides regulatory and quality technical assistance to child care programs and professionals across the state. We provide technical assistance and training with a focus on building relationships, using a practice-based model that includes self-directed, group, and one-on-one learning. We are seeking professionals who are eager to make a meaningful impact on the lives of young children by supporting quality improvement efforts for the child care providers who serve them.  We are building a local, Montana based team of leaders, technical assistance staff, and other specialists, working across the state to ensure continued regional and community knowledge and engagement.

Your role: 
As the Technical Assistance Specialist, you will be responsible for providing key aspects of a tiered technical assistance  approach by supporting providers through a cohort-based and/or individual services. The Technical Assistance Specialist will provide support, both in-person and virtually, to programs who are seeking to improve quality and make progress towards their goals. You will coordinate closely with other staff, monitor reports and trends coming from various data systems to ensure that support is well-targeted and effective. The Technical Assistance Specialist will provide quality support services to all program types, to include tribal communities, as required by the State.

*This position will serve the following counties - Wibaux, Big Horn, Carbon, Carter, Custer, Fallon, Golden Valley, Musselshell, Powder River, Rosebud, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Treasure, Wheatland and Yellowstone*
What you'll do:

• Provide Technical Assistance services to child care programs; follows Shine’s protocols and Montana’s requirements to ensure consistent regional/statewide quality and access to services.

• Work with assigned programs to assess their practices and develop improvement goals and plans.

• Provide tools/resources to support program planning and progress on identified goals.

• Provide tools and resources to support program planning, quality improvements, professional development, and progress on identified goals.

• Achieve compliance with project deliverables by providing technical assistance services.

• Provide translation and interpretation services for both written and spoken training related communications.

• Manage communications with providers in both languages, such as writing emails, answering phone calls, and scheduling meetings.

• Utilize in person and virtual assessment activities to provide program information on classroom settings.

• Support teacher strengths, and areas of growth including teacher and child interactions, classroom instruction, and classroom management.

• Develop and facilitate small group learning environments, including peer-to-peer opportunities and one-on-one mentoring.

• Engage in coaching cycles that include observation of practices, reflection and feedback on displayed coaching interactions.

• Facilitate professional development which may include in-person and virtual learning opportunities.

• Participate in assigned meetings, events and training as required.

What you bring:

• 5 years of early care and education experience, and/or 2+ years of technical assistance experience. Experience in Montana strongly preferred. 

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE), Child Development or related field preferred.

• Experience delivering professional development and coaching support (in-house within a childcare/early education program) or to other programs.

• Level 4 or higher in the Montana Career Path, PDS II,  and completion of all required state training and certifications.

• Experience teaching, mentoring, coaching in an ECE classroom/program setting.

• Experience working with a variety of ECE program types preferred, including, both family and group childcare.

• Fluency in  Spanish is preferred for this role.

• Experience delivering services in the Practice-Based Coaching model preferred.

• Experience developing, implementing, and/or participating in a Quality Improvement Action Plans (QIAP) in a program and/or local, regional, or state level.

• Travel required locally or long-distance up to 30% of the time for work-related meetings and functions.

•  Must have a valid driver’s license and/or reliable transportation.

• Montana residency required. 

When/Where/How Much:
Start Date: Summer 2025

Location/Travel: Remote in Montana. *This position will serve the following counties - Wibaux, Big Horn, Carbon, Carter, Custer, Fallon, Golden Valley, Musselshell, Powder River, Rosebud, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Treasure, Wheatland and Yellowstone*Salary: Up to $55,000

Why You’ll Love Working with Us:

• A meaningful mission that drives real change in the lives of children and families

• A collaborative, inclusive team that values your growth and well-being

• Robust benefits that support your total wellbeing, including:

  • Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance with multiple plan options to fit your needs

  • Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contributions up to $400/individuals & $800/family annually

  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for health and dependent care expenses

  • 401(k) Retirement Plan with up to 3% company match 

  • Short-Term and Long-Term Disability and Basic Life Insurance

  • Up to $500 per year in Professional Development Reimbursements

  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with counseling and mental wellness support

  • Wellness Programs, including virtual fitness, nutrition, and mindfulness classes

  • Pet Insurance, Legal Assistance, ID Theft Protection, and Employee Discount Perks

Together, we’ll help every child reach their fullest potential!