Head Start Grantee Specialist- Region XI- REMOTE

ICF seeks a Head Start American Indian and Alaska Native Region (AIAN) Grantee Specialist to provide high quality training and technical assistance that improves the capacity of AIAN Head Start and Early Head Start programs to meet or exceed the national Head Start Program Performance Standards. The Grantee Specialist will work with programs to build capacity in regards to the Head Start systems including fiscal, health, facilities/transportation, and planning as well as to provide technical assistance in meeting and maintaining compliance of federal regulations.

The AIAN Grantee Specialist will work with grantees in understanding all Head Start Regulations.  A thorough knowledge of the Head Start Program Performance Standards and experience with AIAN culture is required.  The Grantee Specialist will deliver training and technical assistance and consultation with directors, staff and parents and will use reliable data collection systems to track measurable outcomes for children and programs.

This position is home-based in the U.S. and will involve extensive travel up to 50% of the time to programs across the United States where the candidate is assigned.  

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide on-site, group, and virtual T/TA to grantees related to governance, program management, and fiscal operations, including supporting grantees in the following areas:
  • Correction of areas of noncompliance and deficiencies identified through the federal monitoring process. This may require on-site work for periods of time ranging from one day to several weeks.
  • The development and implementation of corrective action plans that address root causes of the areas of noncompliance and deficiencies for grant recipients, in partnership with the program specialist and as directed by the Regional or Area Office.
  • Effective program management in areas of concern identified through the Regional or Area Office oversight processes.
  • Maintain regular and timely communication with the appropriate Regional Office staff on delivery of TTA and progress toward corrective actions or quality improvement.
• Coordinate TTA with Early Childhood, Family Engagement and Health Specialists to support effective integration of management systems related to improvements to education, family services, and health services, as directed by the Regional/Area Office.
• Support recipients to develop procedures and skills to aggregate, analyze, and use data obtained through multiple sources.
• Develop and provide effective presentations and training in areas related to program management and fiscal operations.
• Maintain regular and timely communication with the appropriate Regional/Area Office staff on delivery of TTA and progress toward corrective actions or quality improvement.
• Participate in national, regional, and state work groups and meetings as directed by the OHS COR.
• Support emerging OHS initiatives and priorities.

Basic Qualifications:

• A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• 5+ years’ experience related to program and/or organizational management and/or fiscal operations with HS/EHS programs and the development and implementation of comprehensive management systems.
• 1+ year experience supporting grantees to improve the effectiveness and quality of program operations and management systems.
• 1+ year experience providing technical assistance that includes working with governing bodies, management teams and program staff.
• 1+ year experience assisting organizations to address compliance issues.
• 1+ year experience communicating, both orally and in writing, with the ability to adapt to different size and types of audiences.
• 1+ year experience facilitating group discussions and presenting to a range of audiences using a variety of formats to include virtual.
• 1+ year experience analyzing data and assisting programs to make data driven decisions.
• Must have valid driver's license and successfully pass a Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) check.

                                                                                                
Preferred Skills/Experience:

• Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university.
• Experience in a leadership position within a Head Start program or other early learning program (Executive Director, Assistant Director, Program Director, Chief Finance Officer). 
• Knowledge and experience performing fiscal management preferred. 
• Knowledge and experience with health services preferred.
• Knowledge and experience working with Tribal governance preferred.
• Knowledge and experience working with trauma informed care/approaches preferred.
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