Early Childhood Quality Assurance Consultant- REMOTE

ICFs Early Education Services Line of Business seeks an Early Childhood Systems Consultant to work for the National Center on Early Childhood Quality Assurance (NCECQA) to provide critical strategic technical assistance to state and territory CCDF grantees. Technical assistance is focused on strategies that strengthen early childhood systems and impact the quality health and safety for children in the mixed delivery early childhood system. This candidate will work on significant and unique issues where analysis of situation or data is required.

The Ideal candidate will have both background in and experience developing ECE policies procedures and frameworks for ECE systems at the state or national level; examples of preferred experience includes CCDF Administrator or staff Quality Improvement System Administrator Licensing Administrator PD System Administrator with proven experience and ability to implement an ECE system inclusive and responsive to the needs of families and focused on building or sustaining the workforce.

This position is full time and home based with up to 30 percent travel to provide TA and attend related conferences and meetings.

TA is defined as both onsite and offsite activities such as consultation meeting and conference presentation and facilitation support of peer-to-peer opportunities information gathering review of materials participation in and leadership for workgroups strategic planning and training design and delivery for a wide range of early childhood content areas including mixed-delivery early childhood systems building efforts.

Key Responsibilities:

• Communication Collaboration and Client Focus
• Support OCC designated priorities and special projects including planning of training development of technical assistance materials (e.g. issue briefs handouts brochures presentation kits and webinars).
• Build strong positive relationships with NCECQA Teamfor ongoing communication collaborative planning and shared problemsolving to meet the needs of clients states and territories.
• Build a strong positive relationship with the Office of Child Care Central Office staff Regional Office staff and CCDF Lead Agency staff through ongoing communication collaborative planning and shared problem-solving.
• Assist in the planning of CCDF grantee meeting; communicate with states to encourage presentations and participation in the convening; facilitate breakout sessions and regional/state team meetings.
• Build strong partnerships with Federal TA partners across multiple agencies and programs and coordinate TA as established by the contract and client including participation in national workgroups and task forces as assigned.
• Participate in regular NCECQA team meetings and calls.
• Expertise and Scope:
• Develop and maintain positive results-oriented relationships with project staff.
• Provide and/or coordinate technical assistance to States and Territories upon CCDF Administrators and regional office staff members requests.
• Research and develop timely responses to state territory or Tribal requests and create written documents in approved formats.
• Contribute to the development of group technical assistance opportunities focused on facets of early childhood systems building including the research preparation and facilitation of peer learning groups trainings communities of practice etc.
• Lead and support data collection and data analysis proactively to help inform Child Care and Development Fund implementation at national and regional levels.
• Plan for and deliver tailored individualized technical assistance connected to early childhood systems building quality improvement systems.
• Facilitate peer linkages between States and/or Territories.
• Participate in presentations at national meetings andconferences.
• Enter data on TA planning and provision within required databases adhering to established timelines and protocols.
• Submit claims for reimbursement of office and travel expenses in a timely manner.
  
• Leadership
• Leverage specialized depth and breadth of expertise and apply a broad perspective to identify solutions to complex tasks
• Lead the development and delivery of complex tasks and deliverables on multiple ECE topics and activities
• Stay abreast of the latest research tools and resources that support the activities of NCECQA.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Basic Qualifications:

• A bachelors degree in early childhood education education public policy public administration or management.
• 12 years of experience in the early childhood or public administration field including:
  • Prior experience with types of care provided in a mixed delivery system family child care workforce supports child care licensing health and safety standards quality initiatives including QRIS and early childhood systems development and alignment.
  • Prior experience in developing T&TA content for state territories and tribal child care leaders their partners intermediaries and providers.
• 5 years of experience developing and implementing one or more of the following systems level ECE components:
  • Policies and procedures for state ECE licensing system (center-based FCC or license-exempt)
  • State level quality improvement system
  • Staffed family child care network
  • ECE workforce professional development system

Preferred Skills:

• A masters degree in early childhood education education public policy public administration or management
• 10 years of experience at the state or national level focusing on early childhood policies regulations and systems.
• Experience working with multiple early childhood education partners as a participant content advisor and TA provider.
• Expertise with Smartsheet and other project management tools to track project plans milestones and timelines for project deliverables.
• Experience supporting the implementation of the CCDF program at the federal state or local level.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word PowerPoint Outlook Excel and Teams).
• Ability to use technology tools and platforms (such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom) for remote meetings collaboration on document development and other communications.
• Proficient in American Psychological Association (APA) citation style.
• Experience providing T&TA at state regional or national meetings and TA to individual organizations.
• Collaboration and partnership experience across early childhood education systems including state and federal partners.
• Bilingual and able to read write and speak Spanish proficiently.

Professional Skills:

• Excellent verbal interpersonal and written communication skills.
• Strong analytical problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.
• Team player with the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to apply detailed knowledge of organizational procedures to make independent decisions and serve as a credible resource for a senior management team.
• Ability to work with all levels of internal staff as well as outside clients and vendors.
• Ability to be flexible and handle multiple priorities.
• Demonstrate outstanding level of professionalism in providing team support including the ability to exercise good judgment discretion tact and diplomacy.
• Sound business ethics including the protection of proprietary and confidential information.

Working at ICF

Pay Range - There are multiple factors that are considered in determining final pay for a position including but not limited to relevant work experience skills certifications and competencies that align to the specified role geographic location education and certifications as well as contract provisions regarding labor categories that are specific to the position.

The pay range for this position based on full-time employment is: