Kindergarten Readiness Specialist en Kansas City Kansas Public Schools (KCKPS)

Title: Kindergarten Readiness Specialist

Location:  Central Office and Training Center

The Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools (KCKPS) is a nationally recognized urban school district that serves approximately 22,000 students. With a Head Start program, three preschools, 29 elementary schools, 7 middle schools, and 5 college and career academies/high schools, the district serves a wonderfully diverse mixture of students. A remarkable 62 different languages are spoken in the homes of our students. To serve those students, the district employs approximately 3,650 staff, including more than 1,600 teachers.

The vision of the Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools is to be one of the Top 10 School Districts in the Nation. Our goal is that "Each student will exit high school prepared for college and careers in a global society, and at every level, performance is on track and on time for success." To help our students achieve this goal, the district is implementing a district-wide initiative called Diploma+.

Job Summary:

The Kindergarten Readiness Specialist plays a vital role in preparing young children for success in kindergarten by supporting their cognitive, social-emotional, and physical development. This position works directly with children, families, early childhood educators, and community partners to ensure every child is ready for school. The specialist also manages community-based initiatives, provides family outreach, and supports a smooth transition into kindergarten.

The responsibilities of this position will include: 

JOB GOAL:

• Assess children's development in areas such as early literacy, numeracy, language, and social-emotional skills.
• Promote positive social-emotional development and create supportive learning environments.
• Assist and coach educators on effective kindergarten readiness strategies and child development best practices.

• Design and coordinate programs to support parent-child literacy and learning at home (e.g., at-home activity kits).
• Provide families with resources, tools, and strategies to support learning and transition to kindergarten.
• Establish relationships with home-based and center-based childcare providers.
• Participate in outreach efforts to engage families not yet enrolled in school or childcare programs.
• Spread awareness of early literacy and readiness resources through newsletters, websites, and community events.

• Manage program data, grant budgets, records, and reports.
• Participate in and support Kindergarten Transition group meetings, including note-taking and planning.
• Build and maintain strong connections with community partners and promote coalition engagement.
• Support and promote initiatives provided by partner groups to strengthen early learning across the district.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or related field required.
• Experience working with young children and diverse populations.
• Knowledge of early childhood development and school readiness indicators.
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to analyze assessment data to inform instruction and program decisions.
• Familiarity with community-based early learning services and resources.

COMMUNICATION:

Maintains communication with teachers, other program personnel, and parents/guardians to enhance cooperative action that will meet the educational needs of students.

Provides health services, information, and counseling in an effective and positive manner to enhance the health and wellness of the program community.

Completes accident/incident reports for students/staff.

Compiles data for statistical purposes.

Maintains confidentiality regarding educational records.

ORGANIZATION

Maintains a daily log of site/staff visits and documentation.

Utilizes existing technology effectively in the performance of duties.

Performs other related work as required.

REASONING ABILITY:  Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.  Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:  Ability to read and analyze and interpret general professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.  Ability to write reports, general curriculum and learning theories, correspondence, and protocols.  Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of administrators, staff, parents, students, and the general public.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk, stand and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  The employee must occasionally push items of 50 pounds such as pushing on a bike or wheelchair, or moving/rearranging furniture.  While performing the duties of the job the employee occasionally may visit a child’s home.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and depth perception.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually loud and is a standard acceptable level for this environment. Is directly responsible for students’ safety, work output and well-being.

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES: Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory to instructional program; ability to plan and implement lessons based on division and school objectives and the needs and abilities of students.  Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, peers, parents and community; ability to speak clear and concisely in written or oral communication

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:    Full-time, 261 days 

SALARY:                               Based on the KCKPS Salary Schedule  

FLSA STATUS:                       Non-EXEMPT

REPORT TO:                          Assistant Director of Early Childhood

EVALUATION:                       Performance will be evaluated in accordance with Board of Education policy

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position.  The individual currently holding this position performs additional duties and additional duties may be assigned.  

Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  KCKPS does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, tenure, disability or any other factors that cannot be lawfully considered in its programs and activities as required by all applicable laws and regulations.