Job Description

Futures First partners with early education, preschool, and childcare programs to support young children, families, and early educators. The Social Emotional Learning Specialist provides weekly, in-person classroom support, SEL lessons, and coaching to strengthen early childhood classrooms across the Kansas City Metro.

This full-time position (37.5 hours/week) offers a compensation range of $23.08–$28.21 per hour.

Futures First supports the emotional wellbeing of children, families, and early educators across early education, preschool, and early learning communities. Through our Early Childhood Mental Health (ECMH) program, we partner with early education sites, childcare programs, and early childhood classrooms to strengthen environments where young children feel safe, connected, and ready to learn. Our work is rooted in equity, belonging, and the belief that strong relationships create strong beginnings.

The Social Emotional Learning Specialist (SELS) provides weekly, in-person support to early education programs, preschool classrooms, and childcare sites across the Kansas City Metro. This role delivers Social Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons, models positive caregiving and behavior-support strategies, and provides classroom-embedded coaching to strengthen early educator practice. The SELS collaborates with a Mental Health Specialist and site administrators to promote healthy social-emotional development in young children. Occasional evening hours may be required for family or staff events.

Benefits Offered:

• Medical Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Health Savings Accounts (HSA)
• Vision & Dental Insurance
• Short Term Disability Insurance
• Life Insurance
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with matching up to 2%
• Yearly 5% employer retirement contribution
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Rolling Paid Holidays
• Flexible Work Schedules (Hybrid Model)

Requirements

• Build strong, trusting partnerships with teachers, early educators, administrators, and partner staff at assigned early education and early learning sites.
• Provide weekly, in-person classroom visits to deliver SEL lessons, model positive caregiving practices, and offer embedded coaching in early childhood classrooms.
• Use coaching and consultation models to co-create goals and support positive outcomes with early education staff.
• Attend early education site family or staff events, including occasional evening hours.
• Create, prepare, and deliver training sessions for early educators and/or families in collaboration with site directors.
• Participate in agency, department, and team meetings, including quarterly staff meetings.
• Support onboarding and orientation of new employees within your grant team(s) and partner sites.
• Collect and report data, complete documentation accurately and on time, and uphold professional and ethical standards, including adherence to the NAEYC Code of Ethics.

Skills & Abilities:

• Strong collaboration skills and respectful, professional communication.
• Ability to engage in growth-oriented dialogue and contribute positively to team goals.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently at partner early education sites.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and work effectively in fast-paced early childhood environments.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace, Microsoft Office Suite, or related software.

Education & Experience:

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field.
• At least three years of experience in an early childhood, early education, preschool, or childcare setting (equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered).

Preferred

• Early childhood coaching experience.
• Knowledge of Conscious Discipline and Second Step curriculum.
• Bilingual fluency in English/Spanish.
• Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit at a desk and work on a computer for extended periods.
• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds as needed.

Join Our Team:

If you are passionate about supporting early educators, strengthening children’s social-emotional development, and helping early learning classrooms thrive, we invite you to apply. Your work will make a meaningful impact across early education communities in the Kansas City Metro.

Equal Employment Opportunity & Accommodations

Futures First is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected status. If you require areasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact Nicole Benoit at hrdept@futuresfirstkc.org to discuss your needs.