Head Start Systems Specialist- Service Area VI- REMOTE

ICF; Reston (VA); Remote; USD 67,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

ICF is seeking a Systems Specialist to serve as a conduit between state, regional, and national early childhood systems, leveraging data to improve Head Start coordination. This home-based role covers Service Area VI states and requires extensive travel nationwide.

You will provide subject-matter expertise, consult regional offices, support TTA staff, and collaborate with Head Start partners to analyze regional data and inform planning.

Qualifications

• A BA or BS from an accredited university in management, communication, education leadership or administration, early childhood education, child development or related field.
• If the highest degree was awarded more than ten years ago, the resume should detail relevant coursework or experience.
• A minimum of five years of experience with at least three years of providing technical assistance and consultation to Head Start or related systems.
• 1 year of experience facilitating collaborations within early childhood systems.
• 1 year of experience providing technical assistance with management teams and staff.
• 1 year of experience analyzing data to inform decisions.
• 1 year of experience facilitating group discussions and presenting to various audiences.
• 1 year of experience communicating orally and in writing to diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Provide subject matter expertise and resources to regional offices to improve cross-system coordination.
• Coordinate with Head Start associations and education departments to enhance state and local coordination.
• Aggregate and analyze regional data to identify cross-system coordination issues.
• Participate in regional meetings with HSCO Directors and state administrators.
• Provide direct TTA to Head Start grantees as directed by the regional office.
• Support emerging initiatives and priorities.

Skills

Data analysis

Communication

Project coordination

Public speaking

MS Office

Education

BA/BS in management or related field

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

Smartsheet

Tableau

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Description

Systems Specialists are uniquely positioned to be a conduit between multiple systems on a state, regional and national level which creates the ability to leverage data, create collaborative partnerships, and expand opportunities that enhance quality for all birth-to-five early care and education settings. Systems Specialists identify and promote cross-system coordination between state and regional partners and provide subject matter expertise, resources, and consultation to Regional Office and TTA staff to improve coordination efforts across early childhood systems.

Systems Specialists are uniquely positioned to be a conduit between multiple systems on a state, regional and national level which creates the ability to leverage data, create collaborative partnerships, and expand opportunities that enhance quality for all birth-to-five early care and education settings. Systems Specialists identify and promote cross-system coordination between state and regional partners and provide subject matter expertise, resources, and consultation to Regional Office and TTA staff to improve coordination efforts across early childhood systems. This position is home-based in one of the Service Area VI states (Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas) 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.

Key Responsibilities

• The Systems Specialist shall provide the following in-person or virtually as determined by the regional office.
• Provide subject matter expertise, consultation, and resources to Regional Office and TTA staff to improve coordination opportunities across state and federal early childhood care and education systems that impact Head Start service delivery.
• Coordinate with partners such as Head Start associations, Head Start State Collaboration Offices, and Departments of Education to improve state and local coordination efforts, promote collaboration with local education agencies, and address cross-cutting challenges affecting Head Start children and families.
• Aggregate and analyze regional data related to Head Start collaboration with state and federal early childhood development and education systems, local education agencies, and other local, state, and regional partners to identify cross-system coordination and collaboration issues.
• Participate in regional-level meetings with Head Start Collaboration Office (HSCO) Directors, state Child Care administrators and other state-level early childhood systems partners, as directed by the Regional Office.
• Provide direct TTA to Head Start/Early Head Start grantees at the direction of the Regional Office.
• Support emerging OHS initiatives and priorities.

Basic Qualifications

• A minimum of a BA or a BS from an accredited university or college in management, communication, education leadership or administration, early childhood education, child development or related field.
• If the highest degree was awarded more than ten years ago, the resume should specifically detail courses, conferences, seminars attended or relevant work experience.
• A minimum of five years of experience with at least three years’ experience with the provision of technical assistance and consultation to Head Start and/or state and federal early childhood development, education or human services systems.
• 1 year of experience facilitating successful collaborations within state and federal early childhood development, education or human services systems.
• 1 year of experience providing technical assistance that includes working with management teams and program staff.
• 1 year of experience analyzing data and helping programs make data driven decisions.
• 1 year of experience facilitating group discussions and presenting to range of audiences.
• 1 year of experience communicating, both orally and in writing to various audiences.

Preferred Experience/Skills

• Master’s Degree in early childhood education, child development or related degree.
• Knowledge of Head Start performance standards and all applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations.
• Experience at state and/or national level with policies, early care and education regulations, and systems, particularly the implementation of the Child Care and Development Fund and/or other state early learning programs.
• Experience with content knowledge related to child care licensing, subsidy administration, Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (QRIS), child assessment, State prekindergarten, and other early childhood programs and initiatives.
• Experience with data and management system software such as Smartsheet and Tableau.

Professional Skills

• Experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher) required.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills required.
• 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.
• Ability to plan and provide technical assistance, facilitate group discussions and planning sessions, and present to a range of audiences, including direct service staff, partner providers, and ECE leaders.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously while ensuring quality services are provided and deliverable timelines are met.
• Ability to work independently and contribute to a culture of team planning and engagement.
• Ability to effectively communicate, both orally and in writing to various audiences.
• Ability to collect, aggregate, analyze and use data to inform planning and decision making and to enhance problem solving and innovation

Working at ICF

ICF is a global advisory and technology services provider, but we’re not your typical consultants. We combine unmatched expertise with cutting-edge technology to help clients solve their most complex challenges, navigate change, and shape the future. We can only solve the world's toughest challenges by building a workplace that allows everyone to thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer. Together, our employees are empowered to share their expertise and collaborate with others to achieve personal and professional goals. For more information, please read ourEEO policy. We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Reasonable Accommodations are available, including, but not limited to, for disabled veterans, individuals with disabilities, and individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, in all phases of the application and employment process. To request an accommodation, please [e-mail] 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 aboutworkplacediscriminationrights or our benefit offerings which are included in theTransparency in (Benefits) Coverage Act.

Candidate AI Usage Policy

At ICF, we are committed to ensuring a fair interview process for all candidates based on their own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to generate or assist with responses during interviews (whether in-person or virtual) is not permitted. This policy is in place to maintain the integrity and authenticity of the interview process. However, we understand that some candidates may require accommodation that involves the use of AI. If such an accommodation is needed, candidates are instructed to contact us in advance [e-mail]. We are dedicated to providing the necessary support to ensure that all candidates have an equal opportunity to succeed.

Pay Range

The pay range for this position based on full-time employment is: $67,355.00 - $114,503.00 Nationwide Remote Office (US99)