Professional Development Specialist
Child Care Resource and Referral of Southeast Iowa, a program of Community Action of Eastern Iowa, has an opening for a full time Professional Development Specialist. Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) promotes quality child care by providing support, consultation, and technical assistance to child care centers and in-home child care program. We also support families looking for child care by providing resources and information.
The primary role of the Professional Development Specialist is to plan and promote effective trainings for child care providers. This would include the selection of training topics to meet the training needs and requests from child care providers. Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.
Responsibilities include:
- Responsible for coordination of provider training and preparation of training calendar
- Identify trainers and participants for region training opportunities
- Assess provider training needs within the service area and develop a training plan
- Maintain provider training records using statewide evaluation tools and attendance logs
A successful Professional Development Specialist candidate will have:
- office organizational skills with attention to detail and understanding of common computer applications
- effective skills in both oral and written communication
- effective interpersonal skills for working with child care providers, child care program administrators, co-workers, and the general public
- ability to use appropriate strategies to foster the professional development of others
Required Education for Professional Development Specialist:
Minimum educational qualifications shall include a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood, a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education, with an Early Childhood Endorsement, or a Bachelor’s Degree in Child and Family Services.
Benefits include:
- Paid leave time and paid holidays
- Health, Dental, Vision, Life, and Disability Insurance Packages
- Iowa Public Employees Retirement System (IPERS)
Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) of Southeast Iowa is part of a statewide network to support quality care throughout the state of Iowa. CCR&R provides child care providers with training, technical assistance, and resources that support regulatory compliance and continuous quality improvement. The program also contributes to recruitment and retention by helping providers start new programs, strengthen business practices, and sustain operations over time. Through these efforts, along with working with area employers and businesses, CCR&R increases access to high-quality child care options for Iowa children and families.
Community Action of Eastern Iowa (CAEI) is a nonprofit agency that works to empower individuals and families to overcome barriers and achieve lasting self-sufficiency. The organization delivers a broad range of services—such as Head Start and Early Head Start, energy assistance, weatherization, food and family development programs, and child care support—that address both immediate needs and long-term stability. Through respectful, community-based partnerships, CAEI helps individuals build skills, strengthen financial security, and create pathways to opportunity.