Child Care Aware Startup and Retention Specialist

Position Summary: The principle purpose of the Child Care Aware Startup and Retention Specialist is to improve access to childcare for families by increasing the supply of high quality, licensed child care programs in Dakota, Scott, and Carver counties through contributing to local and statewide efforts. A few of the essential duties and responsibilities of the position include:

1. Aid new and existing child care providers through the following ways:
   1. Assist individuals and organizations in the process of starting a licensed child care program and/or sustaining or expanding existing licensed child care programs through coaching and mentoring.
   2. Providing information and support with understanding regulations; program standards and best practices, such as policies and contracts; environment set up; business management, such as budget and marketing; licensing paperwork and application process and timelines.
   3. Connecting new and existing child care providers with resources, including financial supports, business training, required professional development and Parent Aware participation.
2. Coordinate and implement outreach strategies for recruitment, including:
   1. Implement outreach and recruitment activities to identify individuals and organizations interested in starting or expanding licensed child care; use provided market research and child care supply and demand data in combination with knowledge of local communities to focus recruitment activities.
   2. Assess potential child care providers’ interest and readiness for starting a child care business.
   3. Identify and address systemic barriers and inequities, especially those affecting the BIPOC and non-English speaking providers.
3. Collaborate with community partners, in the following ways:
   1. Collaborate with broader Child Care Aware system and community partners (such as licensors, child care associations, parent groups, school districts, businesses) who have an interest in increasing access to child care for families or employees or who may have connections with potential child care providers.
   2. Develop and maintain relationships with Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) community organizations to ensure recruitment and assistance activities are culturally responsive.
4. Utilize and maintain data and documentation by collecting and maintaining data in a case management system, maintaining confidentiality and accuracy, as well as creating and sharing reports and data.
5. Demonstrate commitment to work with diverse populations.

FLSA Status and Hours: Non-exempt, full-time, 40 hours per week Monday through Friday. Includes daytime hours, but may require some occasional evening and weekend hours.

Work Location: This position requires regular travel within Dakota, Carver, and/or Scott counties, and occasional statewide travel. It is a remote position and does not have dedicated office space at a 360 Communities site, but candidates must reside within the Twin Cities metropolitan area.

Qualifications

Minimum Education and/or Experience

• High School Diploma and Step 2 on the Minnesota Early Childhood Career Lattice, which states 25 hours of Achieve approved trainings in early childhood education within the last 5 years.
• 1 year of experience in a licensed child care setting.
• Working knowledge of basic MS Office programs (Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel).
• An offer of employment is contingent upon the acceptable completion of a background check prior to employment.
• Experience working with diverse populations.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Step 6 on the Minnesota Early Childhood Career Lattice, which would include a CDA or Associates degree in Child Development, Early Childhood, Human Services or related field Or Bachelor’s Degree in Early childhood or related field.
• 3 years of direct child care experience; experience starting a program is strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of MN DHS Rule 2 and/or Rule 3 child care licensing regulations.
• Experience with community organizing, community engagement, and outreach.
• Knowledge and experience with community resource, child development, and early learning standards.

Other Requirements

• Must possess and maintain a valid Minnesota driver’s license, a reliable personal vehicle, and acceptable personal auto insurance.
• Due to the remote nature of this position, must have access to internet connection.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.