Early Childhood Specialist - Region X - OLYMPIA, WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Head Start Early Childhood (EC) Specialist - Region X – Remote

Home Based in Region X (AK,ID,OR,WA) - must reside in one of these States

Remote work initially, once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, up to 50% travel to Region X States

ICF seeks an experienced Early Childhood (EC) Specialist to support Head Start and Early Head Start programs to ensure high quality Head Start and Early Head Start 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 X states and will involve extensive travel to programs within the 4 states identified as the Federal Region X (AK,ID,OR,WA). 

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the Professional Development of ECE Specialists by providing ongoing mentor/coaching
• Establish and implement a quality control system for the TTA provided by ECE Specialists.
• Ensure that work plans, Monthly Travel Plans and other deliverables are met in a timely manner
• Maintain ongoing and effective communication with the OHS Central Office, Regional Office Technical Liaison and T/TA Coordinator as appropriate

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development (18 ECE credits are required, transcripts will be requested)
• Experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
• Demonstrated client management and relationship building experience.
• Minimum of 5 years working in a program serving young children, i.e. infants/toddlers and/or preschool age children
• 7 years training and technical assistance experience; this experience should include the provision of training and technical assistance and consultation with directors, board of directors, staff and parents; and experience analyzing and redesigning systems for Head Start programs in order to improve the effectiveness and quality of program operations
• Demonstrated experience coaching or mentoring others in order to improve/enhance performance
• CLASS certified
• Significant background in use of data collection systems that track measurable outcomes.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Head Start and Early Head Start performance standards and all applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations
• Must have valid driver's license and successfully pass a Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) check

Preferred Experience/Skills:

• Masters degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development (18 ECE credits are required, transcripts will be requested)
• 3 years project management experience, specifically in supervising staff and managing complex projects at the state and/or Federal level
• Working knowledge of OHS priorities and regulations
• Familiarity with the Improving School Readiness for Head Start Act of 2007
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills required
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making capabilities
• Ability to work with all levels of internal staff, as well as outside clients
• Ability to mentor/coach TTA specialists
• Ability to provide presentations to individuals, small and large groups
• Ability to review, aggregate, and present data gathered from multiple sources
• Ability to work both independently and in a team environment
• Ability to prioritize and manage workload and deadlines

Working at ICF

Working at ICF means applying a passion for meaningful work with intellectual rigor to help solve the leading issues of our day. Smart, compassionate, innovative, committed, ICF employees tackle unprecedented challenges to benefit people, businesses, and governments around the globe. We believe in collaboration, mutual respect, open communication, and opportunity for growth. If you’re seeking to make a difference in the world, visit www.icf.com/careers to find your next career. ICF—together for tomorrow.

ICF is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity at all levels. (EOE – Minorities/Females/ Protected Veterans Status/Disability Status/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity). For more information, please read our EEO & AA policy.

Reasonable Accommodations are available for disabled veterans and applicants with disabilities in all phases of the application and employment process. To request an accommodation please email icfcareercenter@icf.com and we will be happy to assist. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations. Read more about non-discrimination:  EEO is the law and  Pay Transparency Statement.

Washington Remote Office (WA99)