Social Emotional Learning Specialist

Futures First is seeking a compassionate and collaborative Social Emotional Learning Specialist (SELS) to join our Early Childhood Mental Health team. This community-based position serves early education programs preschool classrooms and childcare sites across the Kansas City Metro area and requires regular travel among participating provider locations.

Through our Early Childhood Mental Health (ECMH) program Futures First partners with early education preschool and childcare programs to support the emotional well-being of young children families and early educators. We help strengthen early childhood classrooms by fostering environments where 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 SELS provides weekly in-person classroom-embedded support to participating programs. This includes delivering Social Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons modeling positive caregiving and behavior-support strategies and coaching early collaboration with a Mental Health Specialist and site administrators the SELS strengthens educator practices and promotes healthy social-emotional development in young children. Occasional evening hours may be required for family or staff events.

Position: Social Emotional Learning Specialist

Location: Kansas City Metro Area

Agency: Futures First

Job Type: Full-time

Compensation: The hourly pay range for this position is $23.08$28.21. The final hourly rate will be determined based on the selected candidates qualifications alignment with the position requirements and internal addition to pay Futures First offers a comprehensive Total Rewards package.

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 holidaysinstead of a fixed holiday schedule employees may observe holidays that reflect their personal cultural or religious beliefs
• Flexible Work Schedules (Hybrid Model)

• 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.

Required Qualifications:

• 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:

• Bachelors 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 Education & Experience:

• Early childhood coaching experience.
• Knowledge of Conscious Discipline and Second Step curriculum.
• Bilingual fluency in English/Spanish.
• Masters 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 childrens 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.

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 a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process please contact Nicole Benoit at to discuss your needs.