Description:
Job Title: Early Childhood Special Education Professional Development Specialist STAR NET Regions II and VI
Department: Education
Reports to: Supervisor
Job Type: Full Time, Salary, Exempt
Job Location: Arlington Heights, IL (Some travel within the Region II and VI service areas (suburban Cook County as well as Lake, McHenry, Kane, DuPage, Will, Kendall, LaSalle, Kankakee and Grundy Counties) is required. Occasional travel statewide will also be required.)
Salary Range: $67,000-$72,000 annually for full-time employees. Final salary to be determined based on qualifications, experience, and alignment with organizational salary structure.

RINCON - BUILDING SPACES, RESTORING COMMUNITIES- WHO WE ARE:

What began as a small clinic established by young community leaders on the West Side of Chicago in 1972 has grown into one of the largest providers of high-quality and culturally competent services focusing on counseling and crisis intervention services, substance use prevention and treatment, violence prevention, education, case management, community and family services. We are dedicated to rendering compassionate and effective programs to promote the quality of life by catalyzing to advocate, educate and empower individuals and their families.

POSITION DESCRIPTION – WHAT THE ROLE ENTAILS:

This role focuses on supporting public school staff in Regions II and VI who work with preschool children receiving early childhood special education services. The primary objectives are to identify professional development needs, deliver targeted training and technical assistance, and promote inclusive, research-based educational practices. Through collaboration with colleagues, educational partners, and statewide initiatives, the role ensures that educators and administrators have the resources, skills, and knowledge to provide high-quality, developmentally appropriate education to children with IEPs, while engaging families and respecting cultural and linguistic diversity.

AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY - WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING:

• Implementing, in conjunction with team members, the goals, objectives, and activities of the grant.
• Identifying and meeting the staff development needs of public school staff working with children receiving early childhood special education services and their families in the Regions II and VI service area
• Utilizing needs assessments, ISBE initiatives, training evaluation information, and other formal and informal means to identify training and technical assistance needs. This may be accomplished through developing content for, or facilitating workshops and webinars, providing technical assistance, consultations, material and resource dissemination, and sharing funding opportunities
• Providing training and technical assistance via virtual meetings, telephone calls, resources, on-site visits, and workshops on request. Technical assistance could include supporting individual teachers, teaching teams, or administrators on topics related to providing developmentally appropriate, research-based inclusive practices in early childhood settings for preschoolers with IEPs, including curriculum adaptations, classroom environmental supports, professional development planning, etc.
• Assisting in the development and implementation of the STAR NET Region II and VI Training Calendar of Events, including supporting, presenting, or facilitating workshops and webinars.
• Collaborating and coordinating services with training entities, including other STAR NET regions and other professional development providers and partners when appropriate
• Participating as a member of statewide and regional committees and Communities of Practice when appropriate
• Working collaboratively with other members of the Region II and VI team to develop and present at workshops, conferences, and other trainings.
• Providing accurate information regarding special education services, disabilities, and other early childhood and early childhood special education topics.
• Developing and disseminating accessible resources and materials that reflect current research, family engagement practices, and respect for diversity, as well as culturally and linguistically responsive teaching.
• Performing other duties that may be assigned by ISBE or the Project Directors
• All other duties as assigned

THE KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE THAT MATTERS MOST - WHAT YOU BRING TO THE ROLE:

• Attention to Detail
• Adaptability
• Builds positive working relationships with colleagues, partners, and educators to achieve shared goals.
• Conveys information clearly in multiple formats for diverse audiences, including educators, administrators, and families.
• Develops practical, research-informed solutions to challenges.
• Comprehensive understanding of developmentally appropriate, research-based, inclusive practices for preschoolers with IEPs.
• Knowledge of ISBE regulations, IDEA requirements, and relevant state and federal policies.
• Proficiency in using data and feedback to shape training and technical assistance offerings.
• Skilled in designing and delivering impactful workshops, webinars, and consultations.
• Ability to create accessible, research-informed materials for educators and families.

Position Qualifications – What is required to Perform the Role:

• Professional degree and experience supporting preschool-age children with individualized education plans and their families.
• Experience supporting early childhood special education professionals working in classrooms.
• Should have experience in providing training and technical assistance to professionals and family members of young children with IEPs.
• Competency in the use of technology to support training, including the use of digital presentation tools.
• This ECSE Professional Development Specialist position requires a high level of professionalism and includes working collaboratively with our team as well as the constituents served by STAR NET Regions II and VI.