We're Hiring: Early Childhood Specialist
Workforce Solutions of West Central Texas Board is seeking a passionate and dedicated Early Childhood Specialist to join our team.
Position Type: Full-Time, Regular Position
Salary: $3,600–$4,000 per month, depending on qualifications and experience
About the Position
The Early Childhood Specialist plays an important role in improving the quality of early learning programs across the West Central Texas region by supporting early childhood professionals and strengthening community partnerships.
Responsibilities include:
- Developing and delivering training, technical assistance, and mentoring for early childhood professionals.
- Supporting child care programs in improving the quality of care and education.
- Collaborating with early learning providers, families, and community agencies to expand access to high-quality early learning opportunities throughout the region.
- Providing resources and guidance to promote continuous quality improvement in early childhood settings.
Minimum Qualifications
Applicants must meet one of the following education and experience requirements. Official transcripts are required to verify educational attainment.
Option 1 – Bachelor's Degree
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in:
- Early Childhood Education
- Child Development
- Special Education
- Child Psychology
- Educational Psychology
- Elementary Education
- Family and Consumer Science
- Minimum of two years of full-time classroom experience in a child care facility, Early Head Start, Head Start, or Pre-K through 3rd-grade program.
Option 2 – Bachelor's Degree with Early Childhood Coursework
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
- At least 18 semester credit hours in approved early childhood-related fields, including 12 semester credit hours in child development.
- Minimum of two years of full-time classroom experience in a qualifying early childhood setting.
Option 3 – Associate's Degree
- Associate's degree in an approved early childhood-related field from an accredited institution.
- Minimum of two years of experience as a director or lead teacher in an early childhood program.
- Preference will be given to applicants with experience in Texas Rising Star (TRS) certified or nationally accredited programs.
Application Information
Applications will be accepted beginning Tuesday, June 30, 2026, and will remain open until the position is filled.
Download the full job description under Job Details and apply online or visit our Job Openings page https://wfswct.org/jobs.aspx to access the Board application in PDF format.
Please Note:
- A completed Board application is required.
- Do not submit a résumé with your application or in place of the required application.
Employment Information
The Region XIV Education Service Center serves as the employer of record for Workforce Solutions of West Central Texas Board staff. Employees participate in the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) and receive a competitive benefits package.
Join our team and help strengthen early childhood education across West Central Texas!
West Central Texas Workforce Development Board is an EEO/Drug-free/Smoke-free workplace.
Equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities
JOB DESCRIPTION/WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD
OCCUPATIONAL CATEGORY: Non Exempt
JOB TITLE: Early Childhood Specialist
OBJECTIVE:
Under general direction, provides mentoring, onsite instructional support, planning, coaching, and technical assistance to Texas Rising Star providers, public and private family childcare providers, childcare center teachers, home visitors, and early learning and care providers. Works closely with the Board’s Director of Childhood Initiatives involved in the Texas Rising Star program, as well as with community agencies, to enhance the quality of early care and education programs, with particular emphasis on infant and toddler development. Provides input into the development of the Board’s Child Care Quality Implementation and Expenditure Plan and coordinates training and quality improvement activities to strengthen child care within the region. Performs related duties as assigned.
1. Director of Childhood Initiatives
2. Does not supervise any employees
3. Has regular contact with child care providers, public and private sector groups and other child care professionals in the workforce system.
Responsible for the implementation of child care quality services and activities with a primary focus on providing technical assistance, cross-training, and mentoring to Texas Rising Star providers, providers interested in becoming part of the Texas Rising Star program, and early childhood professionals. Assists in identifying priorities and standards to achieve desired outcomes and goals related to child care quality programming. Maintains awareness of elements of quality care, training, and best practices, particularly in the areas of early childhood and infant/toddler development. Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, and guidance related to child care quality programming. Coordinates activities with other internal departments and external organizations. Works under the guidance of the Board with minimal supervision from the Director of Early Childhood Initiatives and moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
· Assist in implementing child care quality initiatives, including coordination with workforce system partners, community agencies, and other stakeholders, and participate in evaluating the effectiveness of activities.
· Provide technical assistance and mentoring to current and potential Texas Rising Star providers, public and private family childcare providers, childcare center teachers, home visitors, and early learning professionals, through individualized on-site support, group sessions, and multi-provider sessions.
· Conduct on-site observations at early childhood sites to assess program quality, including services for children with disabilities, and assist in developing and following up on specialized service plans to ensure proper implementation.
· Participate in the implementation of child care quality program activities and contribute to statewide networks, especially those related to the Infant Toddler initiative convened by state-level partners.
· Maintain knowledge of best practices in early childhood education, including tools and techniques required to evaluate quality in child care settings across public, private, and community organizations.
· Stay informed and maintain familiarity with local, state, and federal rules, laws, and regulations relevant to child care quality initiatives.
· Regularly report on work activities, including tracking time, progress, and status updates.
· Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.
· Knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices for children from birth through 12 years, with specialized understanding of infant and toddler (birth–35 months) development, and the ability to mentor and impart practical knowledge directly to caregivers, directors, and other early childhood staff.
· Understanding of observation, evaluation, and assessment tools and methods used in early childhood programs, with practical experience using research-based assessment tools.
· Broad knowledge of Texas Rising Star Guidelines and the subsidized child care program, as well as principles, practices, and administration of contracting methods for publicly funded programs.
· Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to utilize standard software programs, including Microsoft Word and Excel, to produce reports and documents.
· Highly detail-oriented, organized, and a self-starter who works well independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
· Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to complete high-quality work products within required timeframes.
· Experience teaching and/or training adults, including preparing lesson plans and mentoring staff.
· Ability to plan, organize, and gather relevant information, develop monitoring tools, instruments, and reporting processes and procedures.
· Ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply federal and state guidelines related to child care services.
· Ability to exercise a high degree of professionalism and interpersonal skills while maintaining confidentiality.
· Ability to work effectively and communicate with individuals from culturally diverse backgrounds and with a variety of groups, including child care providers, educational institutions, community-based organizations, elected officials, business professionals, and the general public.
Individuals meet any one of the three following combinations of education and experience:
1) Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in early childhood education, child development, special education, child psychology, educational psychology, elementary education, or family consumer science and minimum of two years of full-time early childhood classroom experience in a child care facility, Early Head Start, Head Start or prekindergarten through third-grade school program.
2) Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university with at least 18 credit hours in early childhood education, child development, special education, child psychology, educational psychology, elementary education, or family consumer science with at least 12 credit hours in child development, and minimum of two years of full-time early childhood classroom experience in a child care facility, Early Head Start, Head Start or prekindergarten through third-grade school program.
3) Associate's degree in early childhood education, child development, special education, child psychology, educational psychology, elementary education or family consumer science and two years of suitable experience in early childhood education as determined by the Board. Suitable experience consists of: full time employment in an Early Childhood learning environment (licensed child care center, licensed/registered child care home, licensed afterschool program, ESH, HS, or pre-k through third-grade school program) for a lest 2 years as a lead teacher.
4) Preference may be given to individuals with prior experience working with Texas Rising Star program, who are knowledgeable of program principles and state guidelines.
CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
- Valid Texas driver’s license with driving record acceptable to the agency and insurance
carrier.
- Ability to travel occasionally between work sites using personal transportation and/or rental vehicles.
- Attain Texas Rising Star Mentor Micro credentialing and Assessment Training and Certification Program Modules (as applicable) within the timeframes prescribed by the Texas Workforce Commission.
· Attain and maintain certification as an Infant-Toddler Specialist (IT Specialist)
Pay: $3,600.00 - $4,000.00 per month
Benefits:
- 403(b)
- Dental insurance
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
