Head Start Systems Specialist - Region X

Systems Specialists are uniquely positioned to be a conduit between multiple systems on a state, regional and national level which creates the ability to leverage data, create collaborative partnerships, and expand opportunities that enhance quality for all birth-to-five early care and education settings.  Systems Specialists identify and promote cross-system coordination between state and regional partners and provide subject matter expertise, resources, and consultation to Regional Office and TTA staff to improve coordination efforts across early childhood systems.  

This position is home-based in one of the Region X states ( Seattle, Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington) and extensive travel will be required to fulfill the duties of the position.   Travel will be within the assigned ACF region as well as to the Washington, D.C. metro area, and other parts of the country as needed. 

 Key Responsibilities:

• The Systems Specialist shall provide the following in-person or virtually as determined by the regional office. 
• Provide subject matter expertise, consultation, and resources to Regional Office and TTA staff to improve professional practices and coordination opportunities across state and federal early childhood care and education systems that impact Head Start service delivery. 
• Provide effective and timely ongoing professional development and coaching opportunities to TTA Specialists.
• Coordinate with partners such as Head Start associations, Head Start State Collaboration Offices, and Departments of Education to improve state and local coordination efforts, promote collaboration with local education agencies, and address cross-cutting challenges affecting Head Start children and families. 
• Aggregate and analyze regional and TTA data, including data related to Head Start collaboration with state and federal early childhood development and education systems, local education agencies, and other local, state, and regional partners to identify cross-system coordination and collaboration issues. 
• Implement TTA data aggregation, analysis, and reporting processes that inform and improve the quality and responsiveness of TTA services and improves coordination with state, regional and national priorities.
• Participate in regional-level meetings with Head Start Collaboration Office (HSCO) Directors, state Child Care administrators and other state-level early childhood systems partners, as directed by the Regional Office. 
• Provide direct TTA to Head Start/Early Head Start grant recipients at the direction of the Regional Office. 
• Support emerging OHS initiatives and priorities. 

Basic Qualifications:

The Systems Specialist shall have: 

• A minimum of a BA or a BS from an accredited university or college in management, communication, education leadership or administration, early childhood education, child development or related field.  
• If the highest degree was awarded more than ten years ago, the resume should specifically detail courses, conferences, seminars attended or relevant work experience.  
• A minimum of five years of experience with at least three years’ experience with the provision of technical assistance and consultation to Head Start and/or state and federal early childhood development, education or human services systems. 
• 1 year of experience facilitating successful collaborations within state and federal early childhood development, education or human services systems. 
• 1 year of experience providing technical assistance that includes working with management teams and program staff. 
• 1 year of experience analyzing data and helping programs make data driven decisions. 
• 1 year of experience facilitating group discussions and presenting to range of audiences. 
• 1 year of experience communicating, both orally and in writing to various audiences. 

Preferred Experience/Skills:

• Master’s Degree in early childhood education, child development or related degree.
• Knowledge of Head Start performance standards and all applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations.
• Experience at state and/or national level with policies, early care and education regulations, and systems, particularly the implementation of the Child Care and Development Fund and/or other state early learning programs.
• Experience with content knowledge related to child care licensing, subsidy administration, Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (QRIS), child assessment, State prekindergarten, and other early childhood programs and initiatives.
• Experience with data and management system software such as Smartsheet and Tableau.

Professional Skills:

• Experience with Microsoft Office (Word, E