Training Specialist I

PESE-Prekindergarten Exceptional Student Education Technical Assistance and Training System:

The University of Central Florida (UCF) College of Health Professions and Sciences (CHPS) is home to nationally recognized programs focused on health and wellness - and a respected faculty dedicated to teaching innovations and research partnerships. The college offers accredited programs in athletic training, communication sciences and disorders, physical therapy, and social work. CHPS also offers one of UCF's largest majors, health sciences, as well as popular programs in sport and exercise science within the field of kinesiology. Through coursework, field experience, and interprofessional education, our students develop high-demand skills in healthcare and cultural competency for working with varied populations.

PESE is an IDEA Funded State Project that provides technical assistance and training to programs that serve children with disabilities, Pre-K 3-5 years old.

The Opportunity:

We are seeking a Training Specialist I to provide comprehensive, expert-level technical assistance, training, and support, delivered both in-person and virtually, to a wide network of early childhood partners. This network primarily includes School District Pre-K Coordinators for programs serving prekindergarten children with disabilities, as well as Early Steps, Head Start, Voluntary Pre-K (VPK) programs, Early Learning Coalitions, and other early care and education programs. The specialized support provided covers key areas such as State Performance Indicators and Annual Performance Report compliance related to Part B Prekindergarten, effective curriculum and instruction methods, robust evaluation and assessment practices, strategies for strong family involvement, ensuring the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE), measuring program effectiveness, facilitating the critical Part C to Part B transition process, and supporting children's smooth promotion to kindergarten.

Responsibilities:

Interagency Collaboration & Communication

• Coordinate efforts across designated districts and regions to significantly enhance communication and foster strong collaboration among district Pre-K ESE contacts and various early childhood partners. This includes actively facilitating and participating in critical Part C to Part B Interagency meetings.

• Work collaboratively to develop, maintain, and ensure the viability of interagency agreements essential for supporting the seamless Part C to Part B transition process for young children with disabilities, as well as advancing key child outcomes measurement and other regional early childhood initiatives.

Training, Technical Assistance, and Program Support

• Provide targeted technical assistance, training, and informational support (both in-person and virtually) to Pre-K ESE programs and early childhood partners. Focus areas include but are not limited to: Implementing developmentally appropriate practices and ensuring quality Pre-K programming.

• Administering and utilizing the Child Outcomes Measurement/Child Outcome Summary (COS) process.

• Facilitating the meaningful inclusion of young children with disabilities into programs alongside their typically developing peers.

• As required, assist districts in the development, implementation, and evaluation of district or regional level support plans. These plans address issues related to the implementation of IDEA, the State Strategic Plan for Pre-K, emerging classroom challenges, or specific needs identified by district staff. Responsibilities include evaluating the support plan process and formally reporting on the impact of implemented changes.

Stakeholder Engagement & Reporting

• Convene and lead Regional Steering Committee meetings with the specific goals of: Sharing relevant local, regional, and statewide information on Pre-K ESE program initiatives, including updates on SPP Indicators.

• Fostering robust and collaborative relationships among Committee members.

• Disseminating and promoting evidence-based best practices across the region.

• Represent the project by attending and presenting at relevant district, regional, or state conferences when requested by project leadership, key stakeholders, or the sponsor.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's or Master's degree and 0+ years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience pursuant to Fla. Stat. 112.219(6).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience of at least 2 years in an administrative role within the early intervention/early childhood special education field.

• Experience providing training and technical assistance to teachers, agency personnel and other early

• childhood special education professionals.

• Hands-on experience with Child Outcomes Summary (COS) process including participating in the rating process.

• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).

Special Instructions to the Applicants:

This position supports the Northwest region of Florida which includes the following counties:

Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton and Washington. The candidate should live within or nearby this region.

Travel to quarterly onsite meetings at the main campus are required.

Position requires a valid Class E driver's license. This position may involve driving to various locations on and off campus to conduct University business.

Applicant must be authorized to work for any U.S. employer, as sponsorship is not available for this position now or in the future.

This is a Contract and Grant (C&G) funded position. Employment is subject to availability of funding and may cease at the time funding for this employment is depleted.

Are you ready to unleash YOUR potential?

As a next-generation public research university and Forbes-ranked top employer in Florida, we are a community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to create broader prosperity and help shape a better future. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you'll play an integral role at one of the most impactful universities in the country. You'll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with talented faculty, staff, and students across 13 colleges and multiple campuses, engaging in impactful work that makes a positive difference. Your time at UCF will provide you with many meaningful opportunities to grow, you'll work alongside talented colleagues on complex projects that will challenge you and help you gain new skills, and you'll have countless rewarding experiences that go well beyond a paycheck.

Working at UCF has its perks!UCF offers:

• Benefit packages, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending, and Employee Assistance Program

• Paid time off, including annual and sick time off and paid holidays

• Retirement savings options

• Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando attractions

• Education assistance

• And more...For more benefits information, view the UCF Employee Benefits Guide.

Dive into our Total Rewards Calculator to discover the diverse selection available to you, giving you a glimpse into the benefits that together shape your comprehensive rewards package at UCF.

Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF's expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins.

Additional Requirements related to Research Positions:

Pursuant to Florida State Statute 1010.35, prior to offering employment to certain individuals in research-related positions, UCF is required to conduct additional screening. Applicants subject to additional screening include any citizen of a foreign country who is not a permanent resident of the U.S., or who is a citizen or permanent resident but is affiliated with or has had at least 1 year of education, employment, or training in China, Cuba, Iran, Russia, North Korea, Syria, or Venezuela.

The additional screening requirements only apply to research-related positions, including, but not limited to faculty, graduate positions, individuals compensated by research grants or contract funds, postdoctoral positions, undergraduate positions, visiting assistant professors, and visiting research associates.

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As a Florida public university, the University of Central Florida makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request.

UCF is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer.

If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 407-823-1336 or email onac@ucf.edu.

For general application or posting questions, please email talent@ucf.edu.