Universal Prekindergarten Liaison - Options For Learning

About our organization

Since 1981, Options for Learning has been at the forefront of helping families break the cycle of poverty and improve their lives by providing tools to create a positive foundation for school, social, and life success. Our dedicated and passionate employees have helped our organization become one of Southern California's most innovative and progressive child development organizations, serving nearly 9,000 children throughout the San Gabriel Valley.

About this position

The Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) liaison is responsible for implementing the activities of the UPK project of Options for Learning in partnership with the Child Care Alliance of Los Angeles (CCALA). The CCALA is a partnership of 10 community-based Resource and Referral (R&R) and Alternative Payment (AP) organizations working together to ensure the delivery of seamless, consistent, and quality early learning and care throughout Los Angeles County.

The UPK project is a partnership between CCALA, partner R&R agencies, the Los Angeles County Office for the Advancement of Early Care and Education (OAECE) and the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE). This project is focused on helping parents and providers learn about and understand Universal Preschool in Los Angeles County, developing plans to support the mixed-delivery child care system and building on referral strategies to incorporate all UPK options available to families.

Working closely with CCALA and project partners, the UPK liaison will be responsible for implementing the UPK scope of work. This will include working closely with the CCALA UPK project manager, OAECE, and partner Resource and Referral agencies to outreach to parents and child care providers and develop and coordinate information sessions and UPK Collaboratives between school districts and mixed-delivery child care providers.

What you'll be doing

• Serving as Options for Learning's primary point of contact for the UPK project;
• Planning and implementing strategies and activities in accordance with CCALA's UPK scope of work (SOW);
• Monitoring and tracking program SOW and deliverables;
• Developing meeting materials, presentations and resources as needed to support the program;
• Sharing information about UPK with both parents and child care providers/early educators via various methods including in-person and virtual information sessions, phone calls, print material, etc.;
• Sharing information about UPK with local school districts, in collaboration with internal department teams, through meetings, phone calls, print material, etc.;
• Coordinating the scheduling and planning of meetings and activities;
• Maintaining effective communication and working closely with collaborative partners and stakeholders to ensure effective implementation and achieve program deliverables;
• Using databases or other systems to document progress to share with funders and stakeholders, and for use in required reports;
• Preparing timely, accurate reports for the organization and funders;
• Participating in UPK events, as needed, to help maintain UPK project visibility with parents, providers, funders, and other current and potential stakeholders;
• Attending designated community meetings, trainings, conferences, and other meetings;
• Actively participating in the annual in-service training;
• Performing other duties as assigned.

What you bring to the table

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in education, social work, human services, or related field;
• Minimum of three years relevant experience, including project coordination and implementation;
• Previous experience which demonstrates effective decision-making skills and ability to implement new programs;
• Working knowledge of the Los Angeles County child care delivery system and child care provider population including approaches, challenges and issues;
• Experience tracking program activities and data, and reporting progress;
• Effective time management and organizational skills including the ability to determine priorities, work independently, work with deadlines, and work with great attention to detail;
• Strong interpersonal skills including the ability to work effectively with diverse client populations;
• Effective problem solving, written and verbal communication skills;
• Effective computer skills, including experience with Windows, databases, word processing, spreadsheet software and Google suites;
• Comfortable with using virtual platforms (such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams) to convene ECE coach forums and conduct virtual meetings;
• Experience and comfort with group processes and collaborative program building approaches;
• Ability to work collaboratively with others at all levels of an organization and work cooperatively as part of a team with colleagues and with staff from different agencies;
• Ability to be flexible, innovative and adapt to the changing needs of the program and organization;
• A California driver's license, available use of an automobile, and automobile liability insurance.

What we can offer you

• Medical/dental/vision for part- and full-time employees (organization pays up to 90% of employee's premiums; prorated for part-time);
• Organization-paid and matching retirement plan;
• Professional growth opportunities, including free child development courses and college reimbursement;
• Generous and flexible PTO;
• Dedicated, mission-driven colleagues, and much more!

Job specifications

• Reports to the education partnership manager;
• Non-exempt, full-time, twelve-month work year;
• Eight-hour workday, four-day workweek;
• Hybrid work schedule with approval by management;
• Limited evening or weekend hours may be required;
• Employment, responsibilities, compensation and other factors may be affected by changes in governmental regulations, the organization's contracts, or at organization discretion.

Salary

• $39.66 to $43.87 per hour

Compensation details: 39.66-43.87 Hourly Wage

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