Matrix Human Services is Educating Children, Supporting Families and Rebuilding Neighborhoods in Detroit. 

Operating multiple programs in more than 35 Detroit locations, Matrix provides services to more than 25,000 individuals and families annually and operates the largest Head Start program in Detroit serving more than 1,900 children.  

CORE VALUES: 

• Being of Service 
• Building Relationships 
• Always Learning  
• Committed to Results  

JOB SUMMARY/ACCOUNTIBILITY:

The Child Development Specialist will conduct classroom observations using tools such as CLASS, PQA, TPOT and TPITOs, and provide ongoing coaching/mentoring for staff to enhance adult-child interactions and child outcomes for school readiness. 

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop and maintain a positive, supportive relationships with staff 
• Develop and implement Practice Based Coaching strategies using the Teachers Learning and Collaborating (TLC), Learning Communities structure with teaching staff
• Work with the Assistant Education Managers to develop a schedule for conducting classroom observations as a foundation for determining needs 
• Coach and mentor assigned teachers by utilizing research-based effective teaching strategies based on the individualized needs of each staff member
• Assess all education staff to identify strengths and areas of needed support
• Submit coaching plan to review with the Assistant Education Manager and assess teacher progress
• Facilitate teacher learning and growth through positive and constructive feedback
• Receive feedback to support adult learning
• Train new teaching staff and maintain support as needed while they gain knowledge of their role and responsibilities of their position
• Provide follow up support to staff following any form of training for the purpose of increasing implementation of information and transfer of skills into practice
• Ensure the use of adopted curriculum, assessments, materials and strategies are implemented to fidelity 
• Assess classroom environments for an impact on a child's behavior and development including the use of space and arrangement of equipment, developmentally and culturally appropriate lesson plans, activities, materials, communication and interactions with children
• Coach staff to promote parents in their parenting role as their child's first teacher and building on that relationship to enhance parent-child attachment
• Administer CLASS Assessment tool
• Administer PQA Assessment tool
• Monitor COR Data, Active Supervision implementation, Lesson Plans, and Individual Learning Plans
• Gather and record information about the implementation of practices described in goals/action plans for the purpose of summarizing and displaying data.
• Complete monthly monitoring reports or coaching logs for assigned visits and submit them according to timelines for the purpose of meeting program requirement for tracking and monitoring
• May be required to fill in during center staff shortages and breaks
• Maintain adequate safeguards for the privacy and confidentiality of information. 
• Complete required documentation of relevant activities and submit records and reports in a timely and accurate manner.  
• Stay abreast of current issues and trends by participation in grantee-sponsored training, center pre-service and in-service trainings, and other continuing education, career and professional development opportunities; read and review regulations and other resources.
• Regularly review policies and procedures; revise and/or create policies and procedures as necessary.  
• Perform other duties as assigned. 

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS: