Child Care Aware of Minnesota provides statewide leadership in shaping collaborations that collectively build a diverse, high-quality child care system accessible for all Minnesota families through partnership with and in support of local resource and referral services. We pride ourselves on being a great place to work, offering competitive benefits, a flexible work environment, and opportunities for long-term professional growth. We are looking for team members who are passionate, adaptable, and interested in high-impact work that influences systems statewide. Embedding equity in organizational practices is a core value, and we are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in hiring, promotion, and workplace culture.

Position Description

The T.E.A.C.H. Program Counselor is responsible for case management for scholarship recipients funded through the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood ® Program, providing assistance and guidance to scholarship recipients. The Program Counselor also works as part of Financial Supports team to ensure the smooth distribution of all child care program supports. This position reports to the Director of Financial Supports as part of the Child Care Supports Team.

Duties & Responsibilities

1. Coordinate services to recipients of T.E.A.C.H. Scholarships.

• Review and process applications and award scholarships
• Maintain files and database of recipients and sponsors according to established procedures
• Authorize, process and track charge approvals for tuition/fees
• Notify recipients/sponsors about raises or bonuses and track wage progression in file
• Provide technical assistance via email and phone regarding the T.E.A.C.H. process to centers, providers & college personnel
• Contact each TEACH recipient a minimum of two times per semester
• Provide academic, career and some personal counseling to recipients
• Serve as first point contact for E.A.C.H. Scholarships- communicating with potential recipients, respond to requests for information/application materials, and perform outreach efforts to recruit recipient

 

2. Serve as a liaison between the T.E.A.C.H. Program and key partners.

• Maintain a good working relationship with college Early Childhood Coordinators or instructors, through regular contact
• Assure that Early Childhood instructors and financial aid offices have the list of students approved for scholarships before the beginning of each semester

 

3. Collect and evaluate program data to regularly assess the scholarship program, suggest improvements and produce reports.

• Assess the need for new scholarship models or procedures and make proposals
• Reviews recipient and sponsor surveys looking for ways to improve services
• Pull data to create reports for funders and for our contract holder T.E.A.C.H. National Office

4. Support the Financial Support team goals and the organization’s mission, vision, strategic plan and anti-racism goals by participating in activities and professional development opportunities.

• During REETAIN grant rounds, assist with scoring applications and creating award packets
• Support the work of the Financial Support program staff – filing, responding to phone calls/emails, creating newsletter/website content, support the Advisory Committee
• Participate in staff meetings, workgroups, or taskforces to assist with achieving the organization’s goals
• Assist CCA with implementing the organization's strategic plans by embedding the goals into the everyday work
• Participate in professional development activities to strengthen your understanding and skills around diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-racism

Qualifications

Required

• A bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education/Child Development or related human services field or an Associate’s Degree with 2 years of experience working with adult learners and/or academic counseling
• Bi-lingual in Spanish/English
• Good communication and organizational skills
• Excellent data entry skills
• Ability to assume responsibility for the completion of assignments
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Google programs
• Independent worker/comfortable working with staff in remote locations
• Demonstrated intercultural competency skills and experience working cross-culturally, with a commitment to incorporating the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion into your work.

Preferred

• Ability to address groups of people/make presentations
• Experience in the child care profession

 

Working Conditions

• Full-time, Exempt, permanent position
• Flexible scheduling, with occasional non-standard hours, including evenings and weekends
• Family-friendly work culture
• Hybrid work arrangement that blends working virtually and onsite
• May require sitting or stationary position for extended periods of time
• Occasional travel within metro area
• Must provide proof of COVID-19 Vaccination or weekly negative COVID-19 test results when working in office

Compensation and Benefits

Salary Range - $42,480-$53,100 annually depending on qualifications plus up to an additional $2,000/year for lifestyle expenses (pro-rated for part-time employees)

This position has the potential to earn up to $63,370 annually.

Competitive benefit package

• Medical and dental insurance
  • Medical and dental insurance is available through HealthPartners for single or family coverage. With CCA covering 70-80% of medical and dental insurance coverage.
  • A health care flexible spending accounts
  • Vision Insurance
• Disability leave
  • Long-term disability and Short-Term Disability coverage
• Paid time off
  • Vacation hours, accrued based on years of service, ranging from 10 to 30 days per year (pro-rated for part-time employees)
  • 12 scheduled holidays
  • 3 Personal Days
  • Sick hours accrued at a rate of 12 days per year (pro-rated for part-time employees)
  • Up to three weeks of 100% paid parental leave that can be used in addition to sick hours accrued
• Employee well-being
  • Employee assistance program, including telephone counseling, financial counseling, rideshare benefits, etc.
  • Wellness Hours- 2 hours per week of paid time off for wellness
  • Flexible spending account for dependent care
  • Flexible work schedule and hybrid work environment
• Career development
  • Professional development opportunities with additional funds for career development
  • Qualifies as a public service organization for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

 

Interested applicants should apply here through our hiring portal by September 1, 2023

Child Care Aware of Minnesota is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, disability or veteran status. We encourage interested applicants from all backgrounds to apply.