Are you an experienced professional looking for new opportunities to further your career? South Carolina First Steps is seeking a hardworking and dependable candidate just like you to apply! This position will offer great benefits with the state, including 15 days of annual and sick leave per year or more depending on applicable state service.
A cover letter and resume are required by the agency to be considered for this position.
The Responsibilities of the Chief of Early Learning:
The Chief of Early Learning is a strategic leader responsible for improvements in measurable school readiness assessment scores and continuous quality improvement across all publicly funded four-year-old classrooms in SC using a mixed-delivery system. This position will ensure the high levels of collaboration between SC First Steps (SCFS) and the SC Department of Education (SCDE). The Chief leads the strategy, performance, and accountability of First Steps 4K to improve school readiness outcomes as demonstrated on the state's kindergarten readiness assessment. This role drives data-informed decision-making and ensures the effective design, implementation, and continuous improvement of high-quality 4K programs by establishing rigorous performance standards, operationalizing best practices, conducting comprehensive program audits, and aligning investments with evidence-based practices to maximize child outcomes. The Chief manages resource allocation, provider performance, and operations to expand access and improve program quality. Through strategic partnerships, this role advances workforce development and builds sustainable early learning systems. The position leads evaluations to translate data into actionable policy and advocacy insights.
Knowledge of early childhood legislation in South Carolina and nationally. Technical knowledge of early childhood education frameworks and assessment tools, including CLASS and the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA). Proficient in budget development and advanced data tools (including but not limited to Excel and Power Bl) for performance monitoring. Ability to analyze and interpret longitudinal student data to assess outcomes and calculate the return on investment. Ability to develop public-facing data tools and managing data-sharing processes across agencies or systems. Proven ability to translate complex data and research into clear, compelling narratives to inform decision-making, influence policy, and secure stakeholder support. Highly collaborative with the ability to navigate the distinct cultures of public-school administrations and private/faith-based childcare businesses. Advanced written and oral communication skills tailored for diverse stakeholder groups.
Will report to the Agency Director, position will supervise 4K programmatic, and administrative staff; must be comfortable multi-tasking and working in a flexible, fast-moving environment and have the ability to act and react in changing situations, anticipate future consequences and trends Supervises staff to include preparing performance planning and evaluation documents and related personnel paperwork. Coaches, counsels and trains employees. Establishes and monitors work processes. Implement management policies and initiatives and promote teamwork.
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Leads the design, implementation, and continuous quality improvement of operational systems that expands access to high-quality 4K, Including First Seps 4K team organization, business development, and use of 4K data systems. ensuring all initiatives are measurable and aligned with the strategic goals of SCFS and SCDE. Develop and implement data-informed strategies, including intervention pilots and targeted supports, to improve provider performance and maximize child outcomes. Oversees strategic site selection and 4K provider renewals using performance data to inform contract decisions and ensure adherence to safety, educational. and reporting requirements. leads the development and oversight of the annual First Steps 4K budget. including cost forecasting and strategic investment in evidence-based interventions with the highest return on school readiness outcomes.
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Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive workforce strategy to strengthen educator effectiveness and sustainability across South Carolina's mixed delivery 4K system. Manages per-pupil reimbursement models for public and private providers to maximize state fund drawdown while ensuring fiscal accountability and audit compliance. Supports the Director of 4K Professional Development in implementing a statewide evidence-based training network for teachers and 4K professionals Uses workforce data to identify turnover trends and gaps, deploying targeted pilots and retention strategies to stabilize the teacher pipeline. Oversees specialized training for teachers and school leaders focused on instructional leadership and operational excellence. Collaborates with partners to align workforce investments and professional learning.
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Leads the design and execution or a statewide continuous quality improvement (COI) framework for 4K programs and manages instructional coaching implementation, ensuring alignment with SCFS and SCDE school readiness goals. Implements the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS®) to measure teacher-child interactions and drive all classrooms toward "Exemplary" ratings. Established a unified coaching model for public and private providers, leveraging shared data to inform professional development and strengthen instructional practices. Uses longitudinal data and program audits to evaluate and refine curriculum and evidence-based interventions to improve child outcomes. Translates CQI findings into actionable recommendations for policy and resource allocation.
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Other duties: Facilitates regular briefings and strategic planning sessions with leadership from SC First Steps, the South Carolina Department of Education, the Education Oversight Committee, and the members of the General Assembly to align policy and funding. Serves as a key liaison to external stakeholders and state legislators to advocate for early learning priorities. Collaborates closely with internal cross-functional teams to break down silos, leverage shared data, and integrate statewide initiatives to maximize the collective impact on school readiness.
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Supervises staff to include preparing performance planning and evaluation documents and related personnel paperwork. Coaches, counsels and trains employees. Establishes and monitors work processes. Implement management policies and initiatives and promote teamwork.
Applicants indicating college credit or degree(s) on the application will be required to bring a copy of college transcript to the interview. A copy of the transcript may also be uploaded as an attachment to the application, if required by the hiring department or if desired by the applicant. Please note that some areas of the Agency may require an official, certified copy of the transcript prior to hiring or within a specific timeframe required by that area, after hiring. Failure to produce an official, certified transcript may result in not being hired or termination.
SC First Steps is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, including, but not limited, to lactation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.
Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application. Any misrepresentation will result in your disqualification from employment. Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education. A resume will not be accepted nor reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position.
SC First Steps offers an exceptional benefits package for full time (FTE) employees:
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Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouses, and children. Click here for additional information.
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15 days annual (vacation) leave per year
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15 days sick leave per year
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13 paid holidays
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Paid Parental Leave
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S.C. Deferred Compensation Program available (S.C. Deferred Compensation)
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Retirement benefit choices*
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State Retirement Plan (SCRS)
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State Optional Retirement Program (State ORP)
- Enrollment in one of the listed plans is required for all FTE employees; please refer to the contribution section of hyperlinked retirement sites for the current contribution rate of gross pay.
