Maryland EXCELS Program Quality Specialist

The Johns Hopkins University Center for Technology in Education (CTE) changes lives through knowledge that matters by designing, developing, and implementing learner-centered, technology-enhanced solutions to ensure equal access to education in classrooms and work settings across the globe. Our work at CTE involves many aspects of technology and innovation in education, from online learning platforms to systems that communicate or store data to digital tools educators need to successfully increase positive outcomes for all children, including those with disabilities. Our work focuses on landscape analyses, technical assistance, professional learning, and applied research techniques to build organizations’ capacity to promote inclusionary practices and maintain equity for all learners.

CTE is recruiting for a Maryland EXCELS Program Quality Specialist. Maryland EXCELS is a Quality Rating Improvement System (QRIS) initiative sponsored by the Maryland State Department of Education to rate and improve the quality of participating early childhood and school-age programs. The primary function of this position requires application of core expertise in childcare and early childhood education. The successful candidate has strong customer service, oral and written communication skills, with the ability to develop concise and clear feedback. Knowledge of requirements for ECE systems in Maryland, including but not limited to Maryland EXCELS, Childcare Scholarship, Maryland Accreditation, and the Childcare Credential program is highly valued.

The Maryland EXCELS Program Quality Specialist works with educators and/or programs funded by sponsors of education related programs and research committed to promoting positive learning and educational experiences for children.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide virtual and/or in-person support to identified schools, programs, and/or classrooms.
• Facilitate the progress of educational programs.
• Apply specializations based on specific expertise and experience, i.e. specific types of educational programs, coaching & mentoring, preassessments.
• Collaborate with identified partners to improve required processes and effective use of supports and resources.
• Work with external contacts, e.g., early childhood experts, specific education community to identify new or revise current supports and resources.
• Use evidence-based knowledge to make independent decisions regarding educational programs
• Identify and provide necessary coaching and support to schools, programs, and/or classrooms.

In addition to the duties described above

• As the first-tier support to programs and interaction with Maryland EXCELS system, the Maryland EXCELS Program Quality Specialist primarily provides virtual support to assigned caseload. Responsibilities include documentation of communication, providing outreach to programs to support advancement in quality rating, and sharing resources for additional professional development and training related to Maryland EXCELS.

• Facilitates the progress of programs as they move through the Maryland EXCELS quality rating levels through review of submitted documentation and communications as well as pre-assessment of program’s quality rating attainment submitted electronically via an online tool.

• May be assigned to specific specializations based on specific expertise and experience. For example, some Program Quality Specialists have expertise in specific types of early childhood programs, others may have expertise in coaching & mentoring, while others are highly reliable in pre-assessments.

• Bachelor's Degree in related field.
• Three years of related experience.
• Additional education may substitute for required experience, and additional related experience may substitute for required education beyond a high school diploma/graduation equivalent, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

• Master’s Degree in a related field
• At least five years of experience working in focus area or specific education community
• Applicants who speak Spanish are encouraged to apply.

• Experience working directly in or with programs participating in ECE systems in Maryland, including but not limited to: Maryland EXCELS, Childcare Scholarship, Maryland Accreditation, and the Childcare Credential program

• Familiarity with Maryland childcare regulations preferred

Technical Qualifications and Specialized Certifications

• Strong online proficiency, including downloading and