Careers Supporting Early Childhood Educations

Reports to: Director of Professional Learning

Level: Staff

Position Summary

The Early Learning Specialist | Induction Coach supports early childhood education (ECE) programs, centers, schools, and through strengths-based coaching, technical assistance, career advising, and professional development. The position plays a key role in strengthening educator practice, supporting successful entry and retention of new and transitioning staff, improving program quality, advancing educator competencies, and supporting organizational and initiative requirements. The Specialist builds strong relationships with educators, leaders, families, and community partners and uses reflective, culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and adult-learning approaches to support continuous improvement. Working independently and collaboratively, this role requires regional travel and proficiency with technology and virtual collaboration tools.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide individualized coaching, mentoring, and technical assistance to educators, leaders, and staff to improve teaching practices, professional competencies, and program quality, using state-approved tools and program data to assess needs and guide improvements.
• Lead and support new, transitioning, and developing educators and staff, helping them understand role expectations, program practices, professional responsibilities, available supports, and pathways for continued growth.
• Develop individualized professional growth plans with staff and supervisors, including goals, action steps, follow-up, reflection, and documentation of progress.
• Establish trusting coaching relationships that promote psychological safety, reflection, curiosity, feedback, and ownership of professional growth while maintaining appropriate confidentiality and professional boundaries.
• Assist educators in supporting children’s development across all domains, including language/literacy, health/physical development, social-emotional learning, and cognitive growth.
• Support positive classroom environments, inclusive routines, relationship-based practice, trauma-informed approaches, and developmentally appropriate learning experiences.
• Provide modeling, observation, feedback, co-planning, and demonstration lessons or practices when appropriate to strengthen educator implementation.
• Deliver professional and career development aligned with best practices, credential attainment, cultural responsiveness, adult learning theory, and the professional needs of ECE staff.
• Support educators in navigating professional credentialing, career pathways, and required professional development, including identifying resources and next steps.
• Collaborate with program leaders and other service providers to identify staff strengths and needs and to develop service plans aligned with initiative benchmarks, program goals, and continuous improvement priorities.
• Support onboarding and transition activities that help staff understand organizational culture, expectations, resources, team structures, and practices that promote effective service to children and families.
• Use observation, reflective questioning, data, and evidence-based coaching strategies to identify opportunities for improvement and celebrate progress.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of coaching visits, induction activities, observations, service plans, goals, follow-up, and progress using digital systems; complete reporting required by funders and organizational partners.
• Uphold professional ethics, confidentiality, and applicable organizational, program, and regulatory requirements in all communications and records.
• Collaborate across teams and represent First Up with professionalism and enthusiasm, promoting First Up services and supporting the organization’s mission, vision, and values.
• Model continuous growth, cultural humility, curiosity, adaptability, and openness to feedback and innovation.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or related field (master’s preferred).
• Pennsylvania Teaching Certification
• Experience with coaching teachers through the Educator Induction Plan (EIP)
• Minimum 2 years’ experience as an ECE practitioner; experience coaching, mentoring, onboarding, or supporting adult learners is strongly preferred.
• Experience supporting children’s social and emotional development.
• Experience with Head Start, early childhood program operations, or staff induction/onboarding is preferred.
• Knowledge of DHS and PDE regulations for ECE programs; familiarity with Head Start program competencies and practices.
• Strong organizational, time management, coaching, facilitation, and communication skills.
• Proficiency with technology and virtual collaboration tools.
• Current clearances: FBI, PA Criminal Record, Child Abuse, and Mandated Reporter certification.
• Maintain PA PQAS certifications.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated understanding and support of diverse perspectives, identities, and experiences and commitment to eliminating bias.
• Proven ability to continually learn, grow, and adapt to changing environments.
• Organization-wide mindset, engaging with cross-functional teams while ensuring alignment with organizational values and priorities.
• Bilingual in Spanish is preferred.
• Experience across Infant Toddler and PreK–Grade 3.
• Expertise in one or more areas: curriculum and assessment, child development, family engagement, leadership and management, career advising, social-emotional learning, trauma-informed practices, program development, coaching, or adult learning.
• Experience working within diversity and equity initiatives.
• Familiarity with Keystone STARS, PHL PreK, PKC, Head Start, NAFCC, and NAEYC Accreditation.

Working Environment

First Up is a hybrid working environment. Employees are required to be in the office a minimum of one (1) day per week. Specific days will be approved by the employee’s direct supervisor. This position requires proficiency in remote work software and tools for video meetings. Travel may be required to sites via personal car or public transportation. This position also includes using office machines and may require ability to sit for long periods, stand, bend, and lift up to 50 lbs. Must be able to carry and perform competently on a laptop computer. Some evenings and weekends may be required.