Mobile Early Childhood Specialist
Reports to: Early Childhood Hub Manager
Horizons for Homeless Children is a local non-profit dedicated to improving the lives of young homeless children in Massachusetts and helping their families succeed by providing high-quality early education, opportunities for play, and comprehensive family support services. Horizons operates the highest quality early learning program in the state and has over 30 years of experience supporting children and families in the state-run family shelter system. To support our mission, we also advocate on behalf of young children, train educators and human services providers, and provide research on the impact of early education on homeless children. Amal Alliance, Horizons for Homeless, and Neighborhood Villages together are piloting a Mobile Learning initiative to provide a coordinated systematic approach for supporting under-school-age children who have recently arrived in the US by providing a combination of coordinated services, social and emotional programming, and safe, developmentally appropriate space to children and families. The goal of the Mobile Learning Initiative is to meet families where they are, learn about their needs and connect them with the resources that can get their children acclimated to life in the US. By focusing on a specific catchment zone, the Mobile Learning program will consist of a staffed Horizons playspace and two mobile learning buses that will provide access to developmentally appropriate and trauma-informed social and emotional learning and play experiences to support their health and well-being by traveling to different shelter-based programs within a small geographic area.
Summary of Position:
Mobile Early Childhood Specialist Hotel Locations Responsible for delivering high-quality early childhood programming to young children and their parents within a fully mobile learning environment. The Early Childhood Specialist must be adaptable, creative, and have strong interpersonal skills to engage both children and parents effectively.
Responsibilities:- Implement age-appropriate curriculum activities that support social-emotional development.
- Support Colors of Kindness methodology in collaboration with Childhood Coach
- Maintain a safe, clean, and organized learning environment on the mobile bus
- Document and maintain accurate records of groups.
- Communicate with parents about access, registration, and the goals of the program.
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications:- Bachelor's degree in early childhood education, child life studies or related field
- Previous experiences working as a child life specialist or early intervention specialist or other clinical settings supporting young children and their families.
- Previous experience working with young children and families, preferably in a group setting
- Strong understanding of child development principles and best practices in early childhood
- Ability to adapt to changing environments and effectively work in a mobile classroom
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Flexibility in scheduling and the ability to adapt to different settingsCPR and First Aid certification (may be required)
- Experience working with at-risk populations preferred
- Show cultural sensitivity and be able to relate to individuals of all ethnic, social and economic backgrounds.
- Haitian Creole and/or Spanish fluency required
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:- Enthusiasm and creativity
- Team oriented
- Able to lift 50 lbs.
- Be willing to travel to a variety of locations statewide
- Valid driver's license with clean driving record and willing to drive the mobile learning vehicle when necessary
- Term, Commitment, & Mobile Working Conditions:
- The candidate will serve 12 Months and report to the Ops Manager and Director of Mobile Learning.
- Candidates will report to the Marlborough Hub to depart to assigned sites for each day of the week on the bus.
Horizons for Homeless Children is committed to diversity and is an AA/EEO employer. Horizons offers an excellent employee healthcare coverage and 403B plan
