Assessment Specialist
About This Role
This support staff member position at Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children in Montpelier offers $24.68/Hr. The role requires a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field.
VTAEYC is seeking an Assessment Specialist to join our team of passionate Early Childhood Educators in Franklin, Orleans, Lamoille, Caledonia, and Essex counties. The Assessment Specialist serves the Vermont System for Program Access to Resources for Quality Supports (SPARQS), providing technical assistance and professional development to support programs engaged in continuous quality improvement. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in Early Childhood Education settings and a deep understanding of Vermont’s early childhood landscape. Using direct experience with STARS standards and CLASS, the Assessment Specialist will deliver actionable feedback that strengthens instructional practice, program quality, and outcomes for young children. As a trusted expert, the Assessment Specialist will build and sustain strong relationships with educators, program leaders, and partners, providing high-quality support that fosters collective capacity across the field. With a strong passion for Early Childhood Education, the ideal candidate will demonstrate a commitment to VTAEYC’s mission, model professionalism and empathy in all interactions, and stay current on research, policy, and best practices to inform strategic recommendations. The Assessment Specialist will also possess excellent communication and presentation skills, able to deliver clear and compelling messages to diverse stakeholders, and demonstrate a strong ability to analyze and interpret data, leading to actionable insights and strategic recommendations for leadership and policy alignment.Vermont System for Program Access to Resources for Quality Supports (SPARQS)
What You'll Do
Program Improvement and Technical Assistance
- Conduct confidential, timely, valid, and reliable observations and scoring using the state-approved assessment tool for regulated ECE programs, ensuring fidelity and professionalism throughout the process.
- Proactively initiate and manage program outreach, clearly communicating the assessment purpose, process, and expectations, while exercising sound judgment and leadership in preparing programs for success.
- Coordinate, schedule, and confirm assessment timelines with program leadership, setting clear expectations and ensuring seamless follow-through.
- Author post-assessment feedback reports for educators and program directors, providing clear, actionable insights that strengthen instructional practice and advance overall program quality.
- Facilitate virtual follow-up meetings to review assessment results, guide interpretation of data, answer questions, and support program leaders in identifying next steps for continuous improvement.
Data-Driven Professional Development
- Deliver high-level technical assistance through phone and virtual consultation to all types of regulated ECE programs, exercising professional judgment to tailor guidance and address complex challenges.
- Analyze statewide assessment scores to identify priority trends and design targeted professional development sessions that respond to emerging needs and strengthen instructional practice.
- Serve as a strategic resource within peer-to-peer networks, providing expert consultation, fostering professional dialogue, and strengthening collective capacity across the field.
Data Analysis and Reporting
- Analyze and interpret regional scoring trends, translating findings into actionable insights and strategic recommendations for leadership and policy alignment.
- Lead internal data presentations and strategic discussions, synthesizing key findings and elevating insights to shape broader SPARQS strategy, planning, and resource allocation decisions.
KEY COMPETENCIES
Leadership and Collaboration
- Demonstrate commitment to VTAEYC’s mission and model professionalism and empathy in all interactions.
- Apply deep ECE knowledge to inspire program participants and guide program improvement.
- Stay current on research, policy, and best practices to inform strategic recommendations.
Time Management and Autonomy
- Independently manage schedules, site visits, reporting, and follow-up activities with minimal oversight.
- Prioritize competing demands while maintaining quality and meeting deadlines.
- Plan travel, assessments, and professional development efficiently to maximize impact.
Strategic Communication
- Deliver clear, compelling presentations and trainings across diverse program settings.
- Communicate assessment results and statewide trends with clarity and professionalism.
- Tailor messaging to meet the needs of varied stakeholders, fostering understanding and action.
Data Literacy and Systems Leadership
- Analyze assessment and MyTeachstone data to identify regional trends and actionable insights.
- Support programs in using data systems effectively and accurately.
- Translate data into recommendations that inform professional development and regional strategy.
Requirements
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS
- Flexible work location within Vermont: work from home or work out of VTAEYC’s shared office in Washington County.
- Hours: Monday through Friday. Position may require evening and weekend work to meet the scheduling needs of the ECE workforce
- TRAVEL: Extensive weekly travel in-state is required; out-of-state travel is likely needed annually. Mileage reimbursement provided.
EDUCATION & TRAINING
- Minimum of five years of relevant professional experience leading early childhood education programs (such as a director, assistant director, instructional coach, mentor, or a family child care educator who has taken on leadership in their VECN)
- Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent experience preferred. (i.e. level IV on the Career Ladder, consistent with minimum qualification for pedagogical leadership in the Unifying Framework for the Early Childhood Education Profession)
- Knowledge of Vermont’s early childhood education systems and program quality standards and resources
- Experience with data systems and use of technology
- Training will be provided in the use of state approved assessment tool
Benefits
About Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children
About VTAEYC
The Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children (VTAEYC) advances excellence and equity in early childhood education as the state’s largest membership organization for early childhood educators and is the state affiliate of NAEYC, the National Association for the Education of Young Children. As a nonprofit organization formed by a grassroots effort 50+ years ago and now with nearly 700 members, VTAEYC offers advocacy, workforce development, professional development and other resources to its membership and others in the early childhood education field. VTAEYC aims to meet the needs of today’s early childhood education workforce and create a stronger, more equitable early childhood education system for the future.
Common Questions
What ECE credentials are required for this position?
This role requires a bachelor's degree required.
What does this position pay?
This Assessment Specialist role pays $24.68/Hr.
Is this full-time or part-time?
This job is Full Time.
Where is Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children located?
Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children is located at 47 Court Street, Montpelier, VT