General Function:

Provide small business support throughcoaching, training & general technical assistance to new and potential DHS-licensed child care agencies. 

This position serves the Cookeville, TN Region. (YOU MUST LIVE IN OR RELOCATE TO THIS SERVICE AREA)

Special skills/aptitudes: 

The ability to serve as a liaison between Signal Centers, Inc., and the subcontracted Child Care Resource and Referral agencies. The ability to maintain and share knowledge and understanding of business operations consistent with best practice and apply those within the structure of the Tennessee Child Care Resource & Referral Network agencies.  The ability to identify issues related to child care small business owners. The ability to train new child care directors, develop applicable training resources and provide technical assistance.

Core Values/Ethical Conduct:

• The ability to interact with staff, child care educators, Network Management, community partners and funders in a respectful and professional manner.
• The ability to create and embrace new ideas, creative problem solving, improve services and delivery methods.
• The ability to work cooperatively with staff, child care educators, Network Management, funders and community partners.
• The ability to be wise, accountable, and careful with use of resources and time.
• The ability to conduct oneself with honesty, reliability, and fairness, holding to our code of ethics.

Responsibilities:       

1. Participate in all activities for Small Business Support Specialists through meetings, conference calls, virtual meetings, and on-site visits
2. Conduct the Small Business Academy trainings
3. Identify best practices for child care business operations
4. Identify best practices for locating and working with new child care business owners and/or directors
5. Understand and communicate the criteria for becoming licensed with TN DHS
6. Support and promote best practices as recognized by the National Center on Early Childhood Quality Assurance
7. Connect with unlicensed and/or pre-licensed Family Child Care providers
8. Connect with pre-licensed Center Based Child Care providers
9. Support existing Directors with their small business needs through training, technical assistance, and coaching
10. Provide one on one coaching for child care agencies and owners/administrators
11. Support the development of Enhanced Quality Improvement Plans (EQIPs)
12. Establish and convene new director peer learning groups
13. Connect with other CCR&R Quality Coaches to provide coaching, training and technical assistance
14. Connect with local Chambers of Commerce to help identify small business opportunities in early child care
15. Train CCR&R staff, center-based, family and group child early childhood professionals, DHS staff, and other DHS or funder-requested groups
16. Provide technical support to the local CCR&R staff
17. Meet with key staff at each CCR&R and its local area
18. Serve as facilitator for Train-the-Trainer Institutes and Supplemental Trainings
19. Collaborate with applicable State agencies
20. Positively market the CCR&R Network to the community
21. Other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

• Must have Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution in education, Early Childhood Education, Family child care or School-Age curriculum, Health Education or closely related field. Master’s Degree preferred.
• Two years minimum experience as a director of a child care.
• Three-five years experience in this or related field required.
• Must demonstrate a high level of initiative and the ability to work well independently.
• Must be a systems thinker that sees the broad picture, and works well in a collaborative environment.
• Physical examination and record of negative TB test results must be on file with Signal Centers.
• Dependable transportation, valid driver’s license and insurance required.