The National Early Care and Education Early Care & Education Workforce Center (The Center) is a joint research and technical assistance center that equips state and local leaders to drive change in ECE workforce policy. This Center builds on the broader efforts of the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to support the ECE workforce by using a research-to-practice model to improve equitable career pathways, work environments, and compensation systems and strategies for the workforce.
The Center is staffed and operated through a partnership between Child Trends, the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment, UMass Boston, the University of Delaware and ZTT. The National ECE Workforce Center’s technical assistance model is guided by the Center’s “Change Framework,” a blueprint for how to drive change in early childhood workforce policies and systems.
The Center’s TA activities and resources are designed and implemented to support state and local partners in shifting policy, practice, and programs to better support the early childhood workforce. The Center’s TA Team provides universal, targeted and intensive TA to state and local leaders across five policy areas: qualifications and educational supports, compensation, work environment supports, data, and financial resources.
While the Senior Early Care and Education Workforce Technical Assistance Specialist (Sr. ECE Workforce TA T Specialist) is a member of the program team within ZTT, this role is a part of the National Early Care and Education (ECE) Workforce Center and will be fully integrated into the Center’s Technical Assistance team led by ZTT. The Sr. ECE Workforce TA Specialist will be an essential leader in implementing and evaluating the Center research-to-practice (RtP) systems building efforts. In addition, the Sr. ECE Workforce TA Specialist will assist in developing written materials for regional state and local audiences, analyzing existing state policy landscapes, identifying gaps and areas for improvement; facilitating cross-state learning opportunities; and contributing to the overall work tracking promising state initiatives to improve outcomes. The position will report to the Technical Assistance Director.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
- Serve as an ECE workforce content lead for the Center across the five policy areas (see summary above) with specific emphasis on compensation and career pathways.
- Build and provide relationship-based intensive and targeted TA to ECE leaders including individuals and teams with representatives from state agencies administering federally and state-funded ECE programs, local ECE program leaders and staff from the full mixed-delivery ECE system (such as Early Head Start/Head Start, family child care, community-, center- and school-based programs), institutes of higher education, and other cross-sector partners.
- Lead the implementation of intensive TA cycles to support state and/or community leaders to assess the current state of their ECE system, set priorities and goals, and create an action plan that aligns with the Center’s theory of system level change.
- Contribute to cross-functional impact teams to design research to practice approaches in the delivery of targeted and intensive TA.
- Design, articulate and implement effective and iterative processes for leading large and varied groups of stakeholders through a collaborative decision-making process in virtual and in-person environments.
- Design and lead technical assistance strategies that address a continuum of learning styles (i.e. visual, verbal, written) and reflect best practices in facilitation of effective adult learning.
- Lead and contribute to development and delivery of targeted and intensive TA, such as presenting in webinars, leading virtual and in-person convenings of ECE leaders, peer-to-peer exchanges and development of resources or tools.
- As a collaborative member of the TA team, assist with the development and tracking of deliverables across universal, targeted, and intensive TA plans.
- Engage in continuous knowledge development related to promising state and local ECE workforce policies, practices, financing, and system-building efforts and apply learnings and insights to TA engagements.
- Collaborate with project partners to engage in continuous quality improvement and to share learnings across projects and facilitate feedback loops across work.
- Represent ZTT and the National ECE Workforce Center at national and local conferences, stakeholder meetings and in discussions with potential partners.
- Contribute to ACF reports and proposals and interactions with Federal Project Officers as needed.
- Perform other duties assigned to ensure the efficient and effective functioning of the TA team at the National ECE Workforce Center and the Program team at ZTT.
ESSENTIAL SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
- Minimum of 10 years relevant work experience, with a minimum of 7 years conducting ECE policy and systems change technical assistance or consultation.
- Deep knowledge of and experience in the ECE field, with emphasis ECE policy workforce issues across programs (esp. Early Head Start, Head Start, and Child Care).
- Deep expertise and versatility in providing strategic and content rich technical assistance to a wide variety of state and local stakeholders.
- Acumen and experience with applying a theory of change model to real-world state and local systems change efforts.
- Commitment to work with colleagues and partner with leaders across systems to increase opportunity, remove barriers, and redistribute resources to benefit ECE programs and the ECE workforce - intentionally centering those marginalized by existing policies, programs, and practices.
- Familiarity with applied research strategies preferred.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills that are customized for intended audiences.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, time management, and project management skills.
- Exceptional listener, able motivator, and effective relationship-builder.
- Demonstrated ability to build relationships with multiple partners to work toward multiple objectives and interests to achieve a shared goal.
- Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work collaboratively with individuals representing a range of backgrounds and skill levels.
- Comfortable and productive in working as a member of a remote team.
- Travel expected – at least four times a year
ESSENTIAL QUALITIES
- Proactive and initiative-taking disposition and mindset.
- Comfortable and productive in a fast-paced working environment.
- Comfortable and able to be responsive, nimble and effective in adapting to change.
- Encourages and practices critical thinking
- Is self-reflective and empathic
- Recognizes the influence of workplace relationships on outcomes and results
- Maintains a respectful and accepting approach to others
- Awareness of the influence of the larger context on individual behavior
- Collaboratively and creatively supports the work efforts of colleagues at all levels and in all areas of the organization
EDUCATION
Bachelor’s degree in public policy, social work, early childhood or a related field required. Master’s degree preferred.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
This position's salary is estimated to be mid $90,000s to low $120,000s depending on experience, geo-location, budget, and other comparable and similarly scoped internal positions. In addition to salary, ZERO TO THREE offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, HRA, retirement contributions, generous leave benefits and more.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
While performing the responsibilities of the job, the employee is frequently required to use finger dexterity and sufficient hand dexterity to use a computer keyboard and be capable of reading a computer screen. Also, they may need to remain seated for extended periods, can perform repetitive motions, and reach for objects. An employee is frequently required to hold a writing instrument, communicate verbally, and hear well enough to detect nuances and receive detailed information. They may be required to grasp objects, push, and pull objects, bend, stand, walk, squat, or kneel. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision for data preparation or analysis, and expansive reading. May need to lift up to 30 pounds.
