Head Start Early Childhood Specialist Region X - Remote

About the position 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 (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.

Responsibilities

• Provide on-site, group, and virtual TTA to recipients 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 recipients 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 recipients to develop the procedures and skills to aggregate, analyze, and use data obtained through multiple sources.
• Assist recipients to implement a research-based coaching model.
• Assist recipients 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 recipients to strengthen birth-to-five transition practices, including building relationships with local preschools, elementary schools, and other partners.
• Assist recipients to improve their collaboration with Local Education Agencies (LEAs), state agencies, and other partners.
• Coordinate TTA with Grantee, Family Engagement, Health, and System Specialists to ensure effective integration of TTA across service areas, as directed by the Regional Office.
• Maintain regular and timely communication with Regional Office staff on the delivery of TTA and progress toward corrective actions or quality improvement.
• Support emerging OHS initiatives and priorities.

Requirements

• A minimum of a BA or BS Degree in Early Childhood Education/Development from an accredited university or college.
• 5+ years' experience in programs for young children ranging from birth to five years in age, including the provision of technical assistance to teachers, home visitors, family child care providers, coaches, and/or management team members.
• 1+ year experience working with infants and toddlers.
• 1+ year experience in family engagement.
• 1+ year experience facilitating group discussions and presenting to a 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.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience working with American Indian/Alaska Native peoples, including knowledge of working within tribal reservations and villages.
• Knowledge of Head Start performance standards and all applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations.
• Experience working within a Head Start Program.
• CLASS TOT Certification.

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