New job Head Start Early Childhood Specialist (bilingual) – Region VI in Arkansas
Head Start Early Childhood Specialist (bilingual) – Region VI
Company : ICF
Salary : Details not provided
Location : Arkansas
Full Description
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 VI states and will involve extensive travel to programs within the 5 states identified as the Federal Region VI (Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas).
Basic Qualifications:
The Early Childhood Specialist shall have:
A minimum of a BA or BS Degree in Early Childhood Education/Development from an accredited university or college
If the highest degree was awarded more than ten years ago, the resume should specify courses, conferences, seminars attended or work experience that ensure the proposed candidate remains current in the field of early childhood development
A minimum of five years’ experience in programs for young children ranging from birth to five years in age. The experience should include the provision of technical assistance to teachers, home visitors, family child care providers, coaches, and/or management team members
Experience working with infants and toddlers
Family engagement experience
Experience facilitating group discussions and presenting to range of audiences
Experience analyzing data and assisting programs to make data driven decisions
Experience providing training and/or technical assistance to programs in developing and/or implementing school readiness goals or plans
Experience communicating, both orally and in writing, to various audiences
Must be fluently bilingual in English and Spanish
Must have valid driver's license and successfully pass a Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) check.
Preferred Experience/Skills:
Knowledge of Head Start performance standards and all applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations
Experience working within a Head Start Program
Professional Skills:
Experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) required
Experience using virtual platforms and technologies, i.e. Skype, Zoom, Adobe, Teams etc.
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
Key Responsibilities
Provide on-site, group, and virtual TTA to grantees 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 grantees 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 child care settings
Assist grantees to develop the procedures and skills to aggregate, analyze, and use data obtained through multiple sources
Assist grantees to implement a research-based coaching model
Assist grantees 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 grantees to strengthen birth-to-five transition practices, including building relationships with local preschools, elementary schools, and other partners
Assist grantees 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 delivery of TTA and progress toward corrective actions or quality improvement
Support emerging OHS initiatives and priorities
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 [email protected] 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 .