Sr. Writer and Training Specialist

ABOUT ZERO TO THREE

Founded in 1977, ZERO TO THREE works to ensure that babies and toddlers benefit from the early connections that are critical to their well-being and development. Our mission is to ensure that all babies and toddlers have a strong start in life. At ZERO TO THREE, we envision a society with the knowledge and will to support all infants and toddlers in reaching their full potential. Our Core Values Statement: We believe that how we do our work is as important as what we do. To learn more about ZERO TO THREE, please visit our website at zerotothree.org.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY

ZERO TO THREE is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer committed to inclusive hiring, advancement, and professional development. It is dedicated to diversity in its work, its staff, and community partners. This is an exceptional opportunity for a professional who shares our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and supports our mission to enhance outcomes for all children.

SUMMARY

This role has a heavy emphasis on infant and early childhood mental health topics including the impact of trauma on young children; protective factors framework – military (PFF-M); perinatal mood and anxiety disorders in military communities; supporting parent-child interactions and developing attachment. This role is responsible for collaborating with partnering organizations and military sites to identify training topics of relevance to participants; develop aligned and engaging training experiences (online or in person) to communicate learning objectives; and plan learning experiences that entail, in part, developing a topical agenda and identifying subject matter experts/speakers.

Military Family Projects is working across multiple projects and initiatives to serve military-connected infants/toddlers and their families. These initiatives include supporting the professional development of New Parent Support Home Visitors, Child and Youth Staff, Exceptional Family Member Program Staff, and Military Family Life Counselors  by creating digital resources and on-line learning opportunities, coordinating professional development conferences with invited subject matter experts and delivering training/technical support to the multidisciplinary professionals supporting military-connected infants and toddlers, along with their caregivers. Additional tasks relevant to other Military Family Projects initiatives may be assigned as time and funding allows.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Research the most current and relevant research/evidence on topics of importance to military-connected families such as parental separation, reunification, impact of trauma, resilience, social-emotional development, and more to inform resource development for families and professionals,
• Develop engaging training/professional development activities (online or in person), reflecting adult learning principles and designed to support mastery of articulated objectives
• Deliver technical assistance to Military Family Life Counselors, New Parent Support Program Staff, Family Advocacy Staff, and Command Team and CCR personnel on topics related to early development; parent growth and development; IECMH, or related topics;
• Exhibit a consultative and problem-solving stance with stakeholders to assess needs for training and technical assistance;
• Ensure all training for military professionals complies with Department of Defense policies and procedures.
• Collaborate with the Director of Military Family Projects, or other Military Family Projects staff, to ensure topics, scheduling, and content of trainings and resource material developed are aligned with project goals and requirements.
• Manage multiple projects to stated timelines and to a high-quality standard, as established in the approved work plan;
• Plan online and in-person learning events including scheduling; topic selection; speaker/subject matter expert selection, and evaluation. Assist with logistical coordination for bi-annual in-person conferences.
• Represent Military Family Projects @ ZERO TO THREE at various meetings and events as requested.
• Contribute to the overall vision and work of Military Family Projects @ ZERO TO THREE activities by participating in regular staff meetings.
• Perform other duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the project.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• Preferred: Experience in home visitation and/or direct services to young children and families.
• Preferred: Strong understanding of military/veteran programs, culture, and context.
• At least 3-5 years relevant experience in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH), early childhood e