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SalaryICF’s Early Education Services Line of Business seeks an Early Childhood Systems Consultant to work for the National Center on Early Childhood Quality Assurance (NCECQA) to provide technical assistance (TA) to state and territory Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) grantees. Technical assistance is focused on strategies that strengthen Early Childhood systems and impact the quality, health, and safety for children in the mixed delivery Early Childhood system.
The Ideal candidate will have both background in and experience developing Early Childhood education (ECE) policies, procedures, and frameworks for ECE systems at the state or national level; examples of preferred experience includes CCDF Administrator or staff, Quality Improvement System Administrator, Licensing Administrator, Professional Development System Administrator, with proven experience and ability to implement an ECE system inclusive and responsive to the needs of families and focused on building or sustaining the workforce.
This position is full time and home based with up to 30 percent travel to provide TA and attend related conferences and meetings.
TA is defined as both onsite and offsite activities, such as consultation, meeting and conference presentation and facilitation, support of peer-to-peer opportunities, information gathering, review of materials, participation in and leadership for workgroups, strategic planning, and training design and delivery for a wide range of Early Childhood content areas, including mixed-delivery, Early Childhood systems building efforts.
Key Responsibilities:
- Communication, Collaboration, and Client Focus
- Support Office of Child Care (OCC) designated priorities and special projects, including development of TA materials (e.g. issue briefs, handouts, brochures, presentation kits, and webinars).
- Build strong, positive relationships with NCECQA Team for ongoing communication, collaborative planning, and shared problem solving to meet the needs of clients, states, and territories.
- Assist in the planning of CCDF grantees meeting; communicate with states to encourage presentations and participation in the convening; facilitate breakout sessions and regional/state team meetings.
- Build strong partnerships with Federal TA partners across multiple agencies and programs and coordinate TA as established by the contract and client, including participation in national workgroups and task forces as assigned.
- Participate in regular NCECQA team meetings and calls.
- Expertise and Scope:
- Provide and/or coordinate TA to States and Territories upon CCDF Administrators’ and regional office staff members’ requests.
- Research and develop timely responses to state, territory, or Tribal requests and create written documents in approved formats.
- Contribute to the development of group TA opportunities focused on facets of Early Childhood systems building including the research, preparation and facilitation of peer learning groups, trainings, communities of practice, etc.
- Plan for and deliver tailored, individualized TA connected to Early Childhood systems building and quality improvement systems.
- Facilitate peer linkages between States and/or Territories.
- Participate in presentations at national meetings and conferences.
- Enter data on TA planning and provision within required databases, adhering to established timelines and protocols.
- Submit claims for reimbursement of office and travel expenses in a timely manner.
- Leadership
- Leverage specialized depth and breadth of expertise and apply a broad perspective to identify solutions to complex tasks
- Lead the development and delivery of complex tasks and deliverables on multiple ECE topics and activities
- Stay abreast of the latest research, tools, and resources that support the activities of NCECQA.
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Basic Qualifications:
- A bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood education, education, public policy, public administration, or management.
- 12+ years of experience in the Early Childhood or public administration field, including:
- Prior experience with types of care provided in a mixed delivery system, family child care, workforce supports, quality initiatives including Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (QRIS), Early Childhood systems development and alignment, and child care licensing, health and safety standards.
- Prior experience in developing training and TA content for state, territories and tribal child care leaders, their partners, intermediaries, and providers.
- 5+ years of experience developing and implementing one or more of the following systems level ECE components:
- State level quality improvement system
- Staffed family child care network
- ECE workforce professional development system
- Policies and procedures for state ECE licensing system (center-based, family child care, or license-exempt)
Preferred Skills:
- A master’s degree in Early Childhood education, education, public policy, public administration, or management
- 10+ years of experience at the state or national level, focusing on Early Childhood Quality improvement systems.
- Experience working with multiple Early Childhood education partners as a participant, content advisor, and TA provider.
- Expertise with Smartsheet and other project management tools to track project plans, milestones, and timelines for project deliverables.
- Experience supporting the implementation of the CCDF program at the federal, state, or local level.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Excel, and Teams).
- Ability to use technology tools and platforms (such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom) for remote meetings, collaboration on document development, and other communications.
- Proficient in American Psychological Association (APA) citation style.
- Experience providing training and TA at state, regional, or national meetings and TA to individual organizations.
- Collaboration and partnership experience across Early Childhood education systems, including state and federal partners.
- Bilingual and able to read, write, and speak Spanish proficiently.
Professional Skills:
- Excellent verbal, interpersonal, and written communication skills.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
- Team player with the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to apply detailed knowledge of organizational procedures to make independent decisions and serve as a credible resource for a senior management team.
- Ability to work with all levels of internal staff, as well as outside clients and vendors.
- Ability to be flexible and handle multiple priorities.
- Demonstrate outstanding level of professionalism in providing team support, including the ability to exercise good judgment, discretion, tact, and diplomacy.
- Sound business ethics, including the protection of proprietary and confidential information.
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Pay Range - There are multiple factors that are considered in determining final pay for a position, including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and competencies that align to the specified role, geographic location, education and certifications as well as contract provisions regarding labor categories that are specific to the position. The pay range for this position is:
