Higher Education Inclusion Specialist
Req #: | 166995 |
Department: | COLLEGE OF EDUCATION |
Job Location: | Seattle Campus |
Posting Date: | 06/04/2019 |
Closing Info: | Open Until Filled |
Salary: | Salary is commensurate with experience and education |
Shift: | First Shift |
Notes: | This position has been changed from a full-time role to a part-time role. If you have already applied there is no need to reapply. |
UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty. All of which has allowed the UW to be nationally recognized as a “Great College to Work For” for five consecutive years.
EarlyEdU Alliance is a higher education collaboration for Head Start and early childhood teaching across the nation, committed to making relevant, affordable bachelor’s degree accessible to the early childhood workforce. EarlyEdU Alliance contributes to Head Start’s initiatives to promote school readiness outcomes among young children through helping to ensure teachers are well prepared. Multiple studies have demonstrated that formal professional development and college education improves overall early childhood education quality. Based on these findings and more, Congress enacted into law a requirement that at least 50% of Head Start teachers nation-wide must have a bachelors or advanced degree by September 30, 2013.
The EarlyEdU Alliance work serves to support teachers in meeting this requirement by providing multiple avenues to quality coursework and degrees in early care and education, while meeting the unique needs of working adult learners in Early Head Start/Head Start and early childhood programs. The EarlyEdU Alliance is also committed to ensuring all early childhood educators are prepared to serve children with disabilities and their families in natural environments and community-based settings.
EarlyEdU Alliance has an outstanding opportunity for a Higher Education Inclusion Specialist.
Reporting to the EarlyEdU for Inclusion PI, Kathleen Meeker, with leadership from Founding Director and PI, Dr. Gail Joseph, as well as EarlyEdU for Inclusion project co-PI, Dr. Susan Sandall, the Higher Education Inclusion Specialist will be a key member of the EarlyEdU team that will conceptualize and implement aspects of the Center’s work related to increasing access to high quality higher education in two-year and technical institutions with an emphasis on inclusion for children with disabilities. In addition, this role will also serve as a subject matter expert in this area and will produce customized technical trainings to external partners and collaborators in the field, oversee the conceptualization and implementation of research and evaluation activities, and orchestrate internal and external communications and outreach efforts as they relate to this initiative.
This position requires someone with a broad knowledge about early childhood/ early childhood special education research, state and federal policies, and initiatives on improving the early learning workforce and early childhood inclusion, to provide faculty and administrators with a clear perspective about the options for delivering online courses, programs or degrees. In addition this position is charged with expanding Alliance membership in Washington State by building collaborations with two-year institutions and the Early Childhood Teacher Preparation Council.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
ALLIANCE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION
o Work with EarlyEdU leadership team to analyze state, local, and national community college trends and issues in inclusive education and early childhood education.
o Provide Technical Training and Assistance to members identified as community college partners.
o Facilitate development and implementation of community college partners’ individual goals and action plans.
o Provide Technical Training and Assistance to community college partners in evidence-based inclusive practices and college teaching, including using technology such as the Coaching Companion and EarlyEdU materials.
o Guide development of outreach and marketing materials.
o Oversee the conceptualization and implementation of research and evaluation activities relevant to the project.
o Recruit colleges and universities into the EarlyEdU for Inclusion project.
o Identify and plan for specific outreach to high priority partners.
o Work with EarlyEdU leadership team to develop communication plan for high priority partners.
o Conceptualize and develop a robust tracking system for partner participation in EarlyEdU for Inclusion training, course access, and personalized Review & Redesign cycles.
o Implement and coordinate project evaluation activities for EarlyEdU for Inclusion.
o Field test higher education courses with community partners and provide feedback and refinements to EarlyEdU team.
o Support the evaluation of the larger EarlyEdU project by contributing relevant data and feedback from EarlyEdU for Inclusion, higher education teaching, and feedback from partners.
o Supervise the work of the graduate students as it relates to project evaluation and higher education teaching assistance.
COMMUNICATION
o Develop internal and external communication plans in collaboration with project PI and Leadership Team to ensure consistency with EarlyEdU activities.
o Ensure outreach materials are developed for multiple audience.
o Develop and facilitate communication with project consultants and advisory board.
o Develop communication plan for Partner sites.
o Meet regularly with Partner sites and ensure that related training, materials and resources are provided.
o Represent and promote EarlyEdU Alliance at state and national venues.
o Participate in weekly leadership and team calls for EarlyEdU for Inclusion.
o Provide regular updates to Leadership and Sponsors.
o Actively participate in cross-site collaborations with OSEP grantees.
REQUIREMENTS
o PhD in Early Childhood, Educational Psychology or related field and one year of experience with implementing early childhood and adult learning programs.
o Successful experience teaching in higher education and providing professional development for educators
o Successful experience using educational technologies in higher education
o Experience with field work supervision and coaching early childhood professionals
o Knowledgeable about state and federal policies and initiatives on improving the early learning workforce
o Knowledgeable about state and federal policies and initiatives on improving the quality of inclusive early learning experiences
o Knowledgeable about current research and innovations in early childhood, early childhood special education, early intervention, and educator preparation
o Excellent writing, editing and documentation skills
o Familiarity with university-level curricula and traditional instructional methods and goals
o Proven ability to effectively manage projects
o Ability to work independently and as an integral member of a team
o Ability to problem solve, take initiative, set priorities, handle multiple projects and exercise good judgment in a fast paced, dynamic and deadline driven environment in an organized and professional manner
o Excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills
o Ability to maintain confidentiality and to handle confidential and sensitive information in an appropriate manner
o Proficiency with personal computing environment, Microsoft Office Suite, and the Internet.
Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.
BENEFITS
As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For detailed information on Benefits for this position, click here.
Application Process:
The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Workforce Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready.
Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed
Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.
The University of Washington is a leader in environmental stewardship & sustainability, and committed to becoming climate neutral.
The University of Washington is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 / 206-543-6452 (tty) or dso@uw.edu.