Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: National and Federal Level

The first agency that I am interested in working for is the Association for Early Learning Leaders (AELL). The AELL is committed to excellence in the field of Early Care and Education by promoting leadership development and enhancing program quality. I believe the reason for many early learning programs that fail because of the poor leadership. If a program has a good leader that will motivate staff and encourage parents the program will be a success. AELL goal is to strengthen the knowledge, skills and abilities of directors, owners, emerging leaders and other early learning professionals to ensue quality programs for young children.

A presenter:
A presents will present for 1 hour 45 minutes to 3 hours
The presenter will present to 40 - 80 people
Each presenter will have access to a screen, flip chart, or white board
Each presenter must provide a handout
Request to be a presenter must be approved

The second agency that I am interested in is National Coalition for Parent Involvement in Education (NCPIE). NCPIE mission is to advocate the involvment of parents and families in thier children's education, and to foster relationships between home, school, and community to enhance the education of all our nation's young people. I have a strong passion for parent involvement in education. I try to make sure that I am always involved with my daughter's school. No matter if it is giving a donation or chaperoning on a field trip. My daughter is always excited when I participate in her schools activities.
I would like to partner with them and open up a parent center. NCPIE have at least one parent center in each state that serves families of children and young adults from birth to age 22 with disabilities. They help families obtain appropriate education and services for their children with disabilities and train parents and professionals on a variety of topics.

The third agency I would like to work for is the National Education Association (NEA). NEA is the nation's largest professional employee organization, is committed to advancing the cause of public education. Their mission is to advocate for education professionals and to unite our members and the nation to fulfill the promise of public education to prepare every student to succeed in a diverse and interdependent world.

Job Opportunity:
Limited Term Staff

Job Description
This position supports the NEA’s strategic objective to focus the energy and resources of its 3 million members toward the promotion of public education by providing assistance with a variety of professional services with a strong emphasis on supporting political campaigns and organizing in the Center for Strong Affiliates, Campaigns and Elections department.

Position Summary: The incumbent will work on a specific political project, mobilizing and engaging NEA members and potential members. The incumbent will partner as assigned with state and local affiliates to implement the project. The work includes communicating and advocating NEA’s political positions to state affiliates and its members and assisting with development of strategies to assist affiliates in implementing NEA’s strategic political goals and agenda. The incumbent assists with implementing campaign plans in order to accomplish assigned tasks consistent with NEA’s strategic focus and strategic objectives. To carry out these responsibilities, the incumbent submits regular reports and uses a personal computer, associated software, and other office automation technology and travels extensively within the area(s) of assignment by various conveyances, including driving a car.

Required Skills
Minimum Education Requirement: Bachelor's degree or equivalent. Minimum Qualifications: Experience in one or more of the following areas: organizing, strategic planning, crisis management, electoral campaigns, public relations, and communications. Other Requirements: Writing samples (training, facilitation, strategic planning, reports, etc.) may be required at time of interview. Must be able to work weekends and late evenings.   Must possess a valid driver’s license and personal vehicle.

Exploring Roles in ECE Community: Local and State Levels

When I first obtained my bachelor degree in psychology I had hopes of becoming a school social worker. I had always wanted to work in the public school system because they offer great benefits and they salary is to my standards. 

Community High School District 218
School Social worker

Skills and experience required:

• Illinois Professional Educator License or Social Worker Endorsement National Certification Desirable
• Experience providing crisis interventions, individual and group counseling for young adults with a wide range of disabilities
• Experience writing behavior intervention plans
• Experience collaborating with support staff (i.e. Speech Pathologist, BCBAs) in developing academic or behavioral intervention plans for students
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent collaboration skills: be able to work as part of a school team
• Experience with case management responsibilities
• Experience as an LEA running domain meetings, annual reviews and IEP meetings
• A strong knowledge base regarding adult community services for individuals with disabilities
• Experience choosing, giving and scoring a multitude of assessment tools
• Experience working with teachers in a Professional Learning Community

Since I did not obtain my license for becoming a school social worker because I had started working in the early childhood field, I decided that I wanted to be a coordinator. I have been a family support for 10 years and I feel that I have the experience and knowledge to become a family support coordinator. 

SGA Youth & Family Services

Family Support Coordinator

Skills and experience required:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology or in a related field.
• Experience working with families in an Early & Head Start or family support programs.
• Knowledge of adult and adolescent learning styles, home visiting, & ability to engage at risk families.
• At least three years supervision/administration experience.
• Bilingual/Bicultural in English and Spanish preferred.
• Displays sensitivity and responsiveness to cultural differences in service population.

I wanted to work for the government because of the great pay and benefits the job offered. It is difficult to obtain a government job unless someone refer you for the position that you are interested in. I have taken many test for different government positions and I passed all of them. I did not get chosen for any of the positions I applied for. 

United States Department of Labor

Unemployment Insurance Program Specialist

Skills and experience required:

• Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, GS-12, in the Federal Service.
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• Specialized experience is defined as experience:
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• -interpreting Unemployment Insurance (UI) legislation and/or Trade Adjustment Assistance policies, programs, and regulations
• -providing authoritative advice on UI and/or Trade program requirements to officials of Federal or State agencies
• -assessing UI and/or Trade program for accuracy, quality and conformity with Federal requirements
• -participating in special reviews and evaluations of UI benefit and tax systems functions and activities designed to enhance UI program integrity, performance, or quality to improve services to claimants and employers.
• -Working collaboratively and maintaining cooperative relationships with officials in federal, state, and local government agencies and public entities
• There is no education substitution for this position.
• Applicants must meet time-in-grade, time-after-competitive-appointment and qualifications requirements within 30 calendar days after the closing date of the vacancy to be eligible for consideration for selection. Reference the "Required Documents" section for additional requirements.