Job Summary

This position provides training, technical assistance/on-site coaching and support to current/ prospective apprentices and apprentice mentors in early childhood education programs, working in collaboration with agency, community college, and employer partners to support apprentices and improve the quality of apprenticeship experiences and outcomes. The ideal candidate for this position will possess highly developed coaching and technical assistance skills in the field of early childhood education, with experience supporting adult learners.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Mentor Coaching, Support & Coordination
  • Provides individualized coaching to mentors on how best to support/guide on-the-job learning for apprentices, referencing Monthly Mentor Logs and On-the-Job Learning Checklists to intentionally support mentors. This could include on-site coaching, modeling, and feedback to improve mentor skills.
  • Reviews Monthly Mentor Logs and quarterly On-the-Job Learning Checklists submitted by all mentors to confirm completion, follow up on any outstanding issues or missing documentation, and document completion for mentor stipend eligibility.
  • Serves as a mentor for a small caseload of apprentices.
  • Collaboratively prepares, designs, and implements professional development for mentors through monthly community of practice sessions and learning events.
  • Identifies and publicizes external professional development opportunities for mentors and apprentices.
  • Builds reference materials to support mentors completing the On-the-Job Learning Checklist with fidelity/consistency across sites and across ranges of experience/ expertise.
  • Leads recruitment and selection of qualified mentors.
  • Coordinates onboarding for new mentors.
  • Works collaboratively with Apprenticeship program staff, Durham Pre-K staff, and Durham Tech Early Childhood Education faculty to support mentors fulfilling their role, including regular communication, check-ins, and proactive support.
• Early Educator Apprentice Support
  • Coordinates and/or supports virtual and in-person activities/programming to promote quality enhancement of apprentice classroom practices and pre-apprentice job preparedness.
  • Assists Program Manager with apprentice and pre-apprentice recruitment, enrollment, registration, and renewal.
  • Supports ongoing development of apprenticeship program, including support for new or updated program materials, creation of program policies, and maintenance of program documentation.
  • Supports apprenticeship program events, including sessions focused on professional development and academic success of apprentices and program celebrations.
  • Collaborate with agency staff and higher education partners to explore the establishment of Bachelor’s Degree Apprenticeship Program.
  • Works collaboratively to create responsive solutions in the context of a growing program.
• General Duties
  • Attends and participates in all required training.
  • Collaborates on the submission of required reports and documentation.
  • Represents agency at local, state, and national conferences/meetings when necessary.
  • Performs other tasks as assigned by program and agency leadership.

Special Skills

• Demonstrated ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment, simultaneously lead multiple projects, and effectively prioritize time and tasks
• Demonstrated competency in delivery of training and technical assistance support to early childhood education programs
• Experience in and knowledge of best practices in adult learning
• Team player with the proven ability to build strong relationships at all levels of an organization internally and in partnership with external agencies
• Experienced in supporting educators through the relational complexities of early childhood settings, with a thoughtful, trauma-informed approach to workplace culture and staff wellness.
• Systems-oriented professional with experience building/operating systems that are organized and accountable while remaining responsive to the people at their center.
• Models the same social-emotional competencies we cultivate in children — approaching relationships with empathy, patience, and a genuine commitment to the wellbeing of educators.
• Superior organizational skills and attention to detail; flexible, collaborative approach to the work
• Strong command of Microsoft Office and Google Suite programs, specifically Word/Docs, Excel/Sheets, and PowerPoint/Slides
• Ability to work well with a diverse population and design culturally responsive programming.
• Approaches the evolving nature of a growing program with flexibility and curiosity rather than rigidity, modeling the same adaptive thinking we encourage in reflective early childhood practice.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish Preferred

Education and Experience Requirements

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or related field and five years of experience in direct service and management working with children birth to five and their families or programs that serve them OR Master’s degree and two years of experience
• At least two years of experience providing technical assistance/ coaching to child care programs/ providers to increase their quality of care

Special Working Requirements

• An automobile at his/her disposal; a valid, non-suspended NC driver’s license and a current automobile liability policy with continuous coverage. Reasonable accommodations may be made at the agency’s discretion.
• Must be able to manipulate and operate office supplies and equipment. Occasionally required to lift up to 25 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential responsibilities.
• No substantiation or criminal conviction of child abuse or neglect
• Some positions may require need for flexible schedules, including potential evening and weekend work
• Must adhere to established health and safety protocols when onsite at Early Years’s physical office locations
• If working remotely or approved for a hybrid work arrangement, must have dependable internet access and a home environment conducive for remote work.
• Some positions may require some regional/statewide/national daytime and/or overnight travel

Early Years Benefits

Early Years has a generous benefits package. Permanent employees that work at least 20 hours per week are eligible for benefits. Some of the benefits we offer include:

• Section 125 Cafeteria Plan
• Health, dental, vision and life insurance
• Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Employer contribution to 401k Retirement Plan
• Paid annual and sick leave
• 15 paid days of holiday leave
• Paid child Involvement Leave
• Paid discretionary leave
• Employee Assistance Program
• Child Care Tuition payments
• And more…

Early Years also offers many fringe benefits. Some of the fringe benefits include:

• Casual dress work environment
• Direct deposit
• Standing and emergency payroll advances
• Child Care Referral assistance
• And more…

Early Years has been awarded Living Wage Employer Certifications in Orange and Durham Counties, and is a Family Forward NC Certified Employer.

Employment is contingent upon passing a criminal background check. Early Years is no longer requiring the COVID-19 vaccine for employment due to the fact that there is significantly less risk of severe illness.  However, Early Years strongly recommends that employees receive this vaccination in order to minimize the risk of infections in our workplace. 

Job Features

Job Category	Exempt
Division	Child Care Resource & Referral
Department	Durham PreK
Hiring Range	$24,753 – $28,465
Hours Per Week	20