Education Coach

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Section I: Position Details

Job Opening Date: April 14, 2026

Job Status: This position is full-time 32-40 hours per week. HRDC also has a "Wellness Hours Policy" which encourages full-time staff to use up to 2-4 paid hours weekly to work on their wellness.

Wage: $26.50/hour

General Summary:

This position works with the Education Manager to ensure high quality, individualized education is provided to all children and staff in our program and school district partnerships. This position requires a knowledge and understanding of developmentally appropriate practices for children ages 3-5 years.This position is effective at engaging teachers in self-reflection and encouraging them to adapt instruction when appropriate, along with adjusting learning environments when necessary. This position is responsible for reviewing, aggregating and synthesizing a variety of data to support teaching practices and ensure fidelity. This position requires an ability to build strong relationships and create a responsive environment that supports all children from diverse backgrounds and abilities. It is responsible for providing a program wide culture that promotes children’s mental health, and social emotional well-being by coaching staff to develop realistic and satisfying goals, and plans activities with customized instructions. Supports the Education Manager by making sure that all State Licensing Requirements and Performance Standards are met.

This position is also responsible, through coordinated approaches and effective partnerships with Local Education Agencies, Community Mental Health providers, and the Mental Health consultant for promoting access, participation and individualization within a welcoming environment to support children’s positive school readiness outcomes.

Primary Job Duties and Responsibilities

1. Coaching (40%)

• Develop a culture of mentoring, coaching and training using the PBC model, supporting facilitation of TLC’s and providing one-on-one coaching to staff.

• Conduct regular classroom visits and focused observations that support coaching, modeling and instruction to staff as appropriate.

• Works with teaching teams and their classroom environments to support children’s learning.

• Provides supportive, non-judgemental coaching and feedback to help individuals set goals, overcome challenges, and enhance job performance.

• Provides support for in-house CDA coursework and completion.

• Implements coordinated approaches to support universal social-emotional development for all children, addresses challenging behaviors and mental health needs through individualized strategies, and ensures fidelity through data and curriculum implementation.

• Uses program observation tools to collect data to ensure compliance with Head StartPerformance Standards.

• Supports the Education team with professional development opportunities and training.

2. Social Emotional Coordination (40%)

• Conduct Social Emotional Assessments

• Create Tiered Action Plans of support for children with social, emotional, and mental health concerns.

• Builds and leads a team to develop and support individual action plan steps, ensuring timely follow-up on all scheduled tasks.

• Develop and implement strategies to support attachment, initiative, self regulation, and behavior, assisting teachers in applying them to the classroom.

• Provide classroom support to promote effective classroom management and positive learning environments.

• Uses coordinated approaches to support the social-emotional universal level for all children and addresses challenging behaviors and mental health needs with an individualized approach.

• Collaborate with Mental Health Consultants, families and community services to secure support for children with tiered needs.

• Support smooth transitions for children and families entering the early childhood program and moving on to the public school system.

• Maintains records pertinent to mental health services and gathers records of children identified through screening or needing further evaluation.

3. Monitoring and Compliance (10%)

• Enter and maintain data from screenings, observations, and evaluations in the ChildPlus database to ensure ongoing monitoring, and analyze screening results to determine the level of individualized and classroom support needed.

• Provide regular updates to the Education Manager and support staff on children’s social-emotional action plans and educational progress.

• Work alongside Education Manager to aggregate, compile and present program wide data for School Readiness meetings

• Works with the Education Manager to maintain Education Focus Area records including lesson plans, field trips, developmental screening, child assessment, individual child plans and child outcomes.

4. Enhances Program Quality (5%)

• Provide support services when additional classroom support is required

• Serve on the School Readiness Committee

• Assist with family and parent education events and trainings

• Participate in outreach activities

• Participate in staff meetings, child staffings, referrals and community outreach events, including occasional evenings, weekends and training as required by the program.

• Plan and coordinate appropriate screenings, collaborating with staff to organize and administer appropriate screening tools, establish baseline developmental indicators and identify children needing further evaluation.

• Participate in program planning and support activities, including annual self assessment, PIR, community needs assessment and surveys, grant preparation, strategic planning and other programmatic requirements.

• Perform other duties as assigned

5. Corporate Engagement (5%)

• Attends monthly all-staff meetings

• Reads employee communications and weekly newsletters

  
  

Education and Experience:

Education:

• A Bachelor’s degree or higher in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Special Education, Disabilities, or a related field, including completion of the 24 credit Early Childhood Education core (or equivalent coursework) that provides the foundational knowledge, skills, and abilities to support teaching staff and children effectively.

Experience:

• Minimum of four years of teaching experience in early childhood education.

• Experience working with children and adults from diverse socioeconomic, educational, and ethnic backgrounds, with particular emphasis on low-income communities.

• Experience supporting children with disabilities in welcoming early childhood settings.

• Additional experience in coaching, mentoring, or supporting teachers is desirable but not required.

  
  

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

Language and Communication:

• Analyze and interpret complex or sensitive information.

• Write and interpret reports, technical procedures, and professional correspondence.

• Present information clearly to individuals or groups, including families, staff and community partners.

• Read and apply regulations, procedures, and manuals relevant to program operations.

Mathematical & Financial Skills:

• Perform basic arithmetic and data calculations accurately.

• Interpret and apply numerical information from reports or program data.

Reasoning & Problem-Solving:

• Collect and analyze information to identify problems, establish facts, and develop solutions.

• Apply logical and practical reasoning to a variety of program-related situations.

• Interpret instructions, diagrams, or schedules and adapt to changing variables.

Computer & Technical Skills:

• Demonstrate proficiency with standard office software and data entry systems.

• Accurately perform electronic recordkeeping, data tracking, and reporting tasks.

Office Equipment:

• Operate standard office equipment, including copier, scanner, telephone systems and related tools.

Computer & Software Skills:

• Use common office software (e.g., spreadsheets, word processing, email) to create, manage, and share documents and data.

• Maintain accurate electronic records and perform data entry using program databases, including ChildPlus

Regulations, Policies and Standards:

• Comply with applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including Head Start Program Performance Standards, IDEA/ADA, State Child Care Licensing Standards, Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) requirements, child abuse and neglect reporting laws, and child safety restraint requirements.

• Follow agency policies and procedures, including HRDC and Head Start program guidelines.

Drivers Licenses Required for Performing this Position:

• Valid Driver License

Required Certifications & Clearances:

• Maintain current CPR and First Aid Certification

• Complete a pre-employment physical exam certifying freedom from communicable disease.

• Comply with ongoing health requirements, pertinent to the position.

• Successful pass required background checks in accordance with state and federal regulations, including child abuse and neglect clearances.

Preferred Qualifications:

• CLASS certified observer (or willingness to obtain)

Additional Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Effectively communicate and collaborate with individuals from diverse backgrounds and socio-economic groups.

• Interpret and apply regulations, policies, and procedure manuals.

• Work independently, manage time efficiently, and prioritize tasks in a dynamic environment.

• Respond appropriately to sensitive situations, concerns, or complaints involving children, families, and staff.

• Maintain strict confidentiality of sensitive and protected information.

• Demonstrate professionalism, a positive attitude, and the ability to build respectful relationships with children, families, staff, and community partners.

• Adapt to changing priorities and respond effectively in crisis situations.

• Travel throughout the service area and attend local and regional training as required.

Program Philosophy and Service Delivery:

• Emphasizes empowerment, autonomy, and accountability in all interactions.

• Supports individuals in developing personal plans for belonging, well-being, meaning, and purpose.

• Demonstrates respect, empathy, and professionalism in all customer and partner interactions.

Cultural Awareness:

• Understands and connects with customers from diverse socio-economic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds.

• Ensures equitable access to internal and external community resources.

• Promotes an inclusive and respectful service environment for all.

Safety & Wellness:

• Promotes wellness, safety, and dignity for all customers and staff.

• Delivers services in a manner that upholds neutrality and inclusion regardless of faith, belief, cultural background, or personal identity.

• Ensures equitable access to programs and resources for all eligible participants.

Supervision Received:

• Reports directly to the Education and Program Managers.

• Follows guidelines and regulations established by HRDC, the Office of Head Start, IDEA/ADA, OPI, and Montana Child Care Licensing.

• Work assignments are generally guided by daily workflow and program operations, with autonomy to determine timing and sequence of tasks.

• Performs duties in accordance with established policies, procedures, and applicable laws and regulations.

Confidentiality:

• This position requires regular handling of sensitive and confidential client and agency information. Unauthorized disclosure could harm client interests and the organization, and may also violate state and federal privacy laws. This position may have access to reports, records, and personnel files, and must exercise the highest level of discretion, judgment, and confidentiality at all times.

Working Conditions:

• Primarily office based with regular field work and travel between sites.

• Regular exposure to staff, children and families.

• Occasional exposure to adverse weather during travel between sites, training and meetings.

  
  

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the position. Assigned duties and responsibilities may be added, removed, or changed at any time as organizational needs evolve.