Head Start Early Childhood Specialist - Region VII

ICF seeks an experienced Early Childhood (EC) Specialist to support the Region VII office of Head Start Training and Technical Assistance contract. This position will support Head Start and Early Head Start programs to ensure high quality services in accordance with federal regulations. The Early Childhood Specialist will provide training and technical assistance (TTA) to programs to support progress toward established school readiness goals, focusing on the use of child and program data to make decisions about approaches to working with teachers, home visitors, and parents in quality practices. The Specialist will provide professional-level expertise by engaging programs in dialogue and learning of best practices for children from birth to five and encourage a culture of learning that promotes school readiness. 

This position is home-based in one of the Region VII states (Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Missouri). Once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, travel will be required to fulfill the requirements of the position in any of the regional states, Washington DC and other locations as required.

Basic Qualifications:

The Early Childhood Specialist shall have:

• A minimum of a BA or BS Degree in Early Childhood Education/Development from an accredited university or college.
• If the highest degree was awarded more than ten years ago, the resume should specify courses, conferences, seminars attended or work experience that ensure the proposed candidate remains current in the field of early childhood development.
• 5+ years’ experience in programs for young children ranging from birth to five years in age. The experience should include the provision of technical assistance to teachers, home visitors, family child care providers, coaches, and/or management team members.
• 1+ year experience supporting children with disabilities including Memorandum of Understandings, working with LEA's, and supporting staff to implement modifications and other special considerations with children with special needs.
• 1+ year experience working with infants and toddlers.
• 1+ year experience family engagement experience.
• 1+ year experience facilitating group discussions and presenting to range of audiences.
• 1+ year experience analyzing data and assisting programs to make data driven decisions.
• 1+ year experience providing training and/or technical assistance to programs in developing and/or implementing school readiness goals or plans.
• 1+ year experience communicating, both orally and in writing, to various audiences.
• Must have valid driver's license and successfully pass a Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) check.

Preferred Experience/Skills:

• Knowledge of Head Start performance standards and all applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations.
• Experience working within a Head Start Program.

Professional Skills:

• Experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) required.
• Experience using virtual platforms and technologies, i.e. Skype, Zoom, Adobe, Teams etc.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.
• Team player with the ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work with all levels of internal staff, as well as outside clients and vendors.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide on-site, group, and virtual TTA to grantees related to school readiness, family engagement, and professional development.
• Provide TTA related to the selection and implementation of ongoing child assessment, curriculum, and teaching that is age, developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate across the birth to five spectrum.
• Assist grantees to improve teacher/child interactions as described by the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) for center-based preschool programs and other measures suitable for programs serving children from birth-to-five or children in home based and family childcare settings.
• Assist grantees to develop the procedures and skills to aggregate, analyze, and use data obtained through multiple sources.
• Assist grantees to implement a research-based coaching model.
• Assist grantees to develop and implement family engagement practices that support family progress as described in the Parent Family and Community Engagement (PFCE) Framework, including coaching of family engagement staff and selection and implementation of a parenting curriculum.
• Assist grantees to strengthen birth-to-five transition practices, including building relationships with local preschools, elementary schools, and other partners.
• Assist grantees to improve their collaboration with Local Education Agencies (LEAs), state agencies, and other partners.
• Coordinate TTA with Grantee, Family Engagement, Heal