Quality Assurance Specialist

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:

Under the leadership of the Department of Human Service Programs, the Office of Early Childhood (OEC) is a collaboration between the City of Cambridge and Cambridge Public Schools. The mission of the OEC is to connect the Cambridge early childhood ecosystem, align early childhood services and information, and advocate for and advance the needs of all young children, their families, and the early childhood workforce. The vision for this work is that every child and family in Cambridge has access to high quality early care and education experiences. As a result, all children enter school ready to thrive academically, physically, socially, and emotionally and continue to do so throughout their academic careers and lives.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The Cambridge Preschool Program (CPP), launched in 2024, is the city’s innovative approach to Universal Pre-Kindergarten. As a member of the Cambridge Office of Early Childhood, the CPP Quality Assurance Specialist will play an essential role in ensuring that all Cambridge Preschool Programs (CPP) provide high-quality, research-based, equity-driven early childhood programming in alignment with CPP policies and procedures. This Specialist will report directly to the CPP Program Manager and will assist with the ongoing quality monitoring and support of CPP programs and compliance reporting. The position will support data gathering and analysis through the CPP Standard Monitoring Protocol, working closely with the CPP Program Manager to effectively assess and enhance the overall Universal Pre-K system, and will also support program quality improvement through partnership with the Office of Early Childhood Program Quality team. This role focuses on implementing a strength-based monitoring framework to enhance the CPP system’s high-quality programs, emphasizing evaluation and leveraging strengths for positive outcomes.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

• Provides ongoing quality monitoring for all CPP preschool programs.
• Works in close collaboration with the CPP Program Manager and the OEC Director of Education to design, evaluate, and revise the CPP Program Monitoring system and Standard Monitoring Protocol.
• Participates in and contributes to ongoing CPP strategic planning and quality improvement processes and planning sessions.
• In partnership with the CPP Program Manager, collects data and documents for the Standard Monitoring Protocol and reviews the documents for each program.
• Conducts regular (at least bi-annual) monitoring visits to each CPP program and classroom, with each visit including classroom observations to ensure that Cambridge Preschool Program quality standards are evident.
• Produces detailed CPP quality monitoring reports following each program visit, and upon request, for CPP Program Manager and OEC leadership.
• Ensures that all monitoring reports and records are maintained.
• Meets with CPP partner program directors to review, explain, and discuss quality monitoring reports.
• Works closely with the CPP Program Quality team to ensure that they have access to all relevant monitoring information to support the development of continuous quality improvement plans.
• Maintains CLASS certification, as well as an understanding of NAEYC accreditation standards and processes, ACSES, ECERS, and other relevant preschool quality monitoring tools.
• Attends required training to enhance knowledge related to program quality, quality monitoring measures, etc.
• Attends all meetings as required.
• Completes all required paperwork and reports by assigned deadlines.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education and Experience:

• Bachelors’ Degree in early childhood education or a related field, Masters’ Degree preferred.
• At least ten years in the field of early childhood education, including serving as an early childhood teacher, as well as serving in program leadership or monitoring positions.
• Experience with data management and program evaluation.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Deep understanding of best practices in early childhood development, learning, and instruction, including a solid knowledge of research in the fields of preschool curriculum and instruction and evidence-based practices.
• Ability to collect and manage large volumes of data.
• Ability communicate effectively orally and in writing, and to write detailed and clear monitoring reports.
• Ability use data across systems and programs to meet office goals.
• Skilled in summarizing data and presenting to diverse audiences. Experienced with various data sources and formats, including PowerPoint and Excel.Skilled in summarizing data and presenting to diverse audiences. Experienced with various data sources and formats, including PowerPoint and Excel.
• Collaborative work style with demonstrated ability to build positive relationships and to work independently and as a member of a team.
• Commitment to anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• The City of Cambridge’s workforce, like the community it serves, is diverse. Applicants must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS, WORKING CONDITIONS, WORK FLEXIBILITY AND ACCOMODATIONS:

• Standard office environment with fluorescent lighting, carpeted floors and air conditioning.
• This Specialist will spend a significant amount of time each week working outside of the office in CPP programs across the City of Cambridge and will be expected to have the ability to travel to more than one preschool program in a day.
• Ability to work in a variety of locations (CPP programs) and to travel across the city. Ability to access, input, and retrieve information from a computer. Answer telephones and maintain multiple files.
• May require minimal lifting of up to 10 pounds.
• This position may be eligible for hybrid work under the City’s Telework Policy depending on operational needs.

SUMMARY OF BENEFITS:

• Competitive health, dental, and vision insurance
• Vacation and Sick leave eligible
• Paid parental leave
• Sick Incentive Pay Eligible
• 3 Personal days
• 14 Paid Holidays
• Management Allowance
• City employee commuter benefits (T-Pass reimbursement Bluebikes membership, EZRide Shuttle membership)

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

Please upload the below documents to complete your application:

• Resume
• Cover letter