Early Learning Professional Development Specialist, National Center on Head Star

ICF is actively searching for a highly qualified early childhood education professional to fill the role of Early Learning Professional Development (PD) Specialist within the National Center on Head Start Early Learning, Health, and Family Engagement (ELHFE). The Early Learning PD Specialist will play a pivotal role in delivering high-quality, evidence-based professional development to Office of Head Start (OHS) Regional Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) Specialists as well as Head Start and Early Head Start (HS/EHS) program staff. This position is responsible for ensuring that all training initiatives support the comprehensive implementation of the Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS), the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework (ELOF), and OHS priorities, including high-quality instruction, coaching systems, curriculum implementation, disabilities services, and school readiness across the birth-to-five spectrum.

The ideal Early Learning PD Specialist is a dynamic educator and trainer with a passion for advancing early learning outcomes. They possess deep expertise in Head Start standards and adult learning principles, coupled with a proven track record of facilitating engaging, comprehensive, and culturally responsive professional development. The candidate is adept at working independently in a remote environment, thrives in collaborative settings, and is committed to ongoing professional growth and program excellence.

The Early Learning PD Specialist reports directly to the Early Learning PD Lead. This role collaborates extensively with PD teams across Family Engagement and Health, supporting integrated and consistent messaging throughout the TTA system.

This is a home-based position, requiring up to 50% travel for center events, partner meetings, conferences, and other relevant activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Facilitate Professional Development: Develop and deliver developmentally appropriate professional development opportunities (both in-person and virtual) for Head Start programs and TTA staff, ensuring that content integrates trauma-informed and adversity-responsive practices, and aligns with current best practices and compliance standards.
• Deliver Professional Development Aligned with ECE Best Practices: Key focus areas include:
  • Research based curricula
  • Practice based coaching
  • Adult-child interactions
  • Responsive caregiving
  • Disabilities services and IDEA coordination
  • Dual language learning
• Evidence-Based Training: Provide engaging, research-driven, and culturally responsive training to a variety of HS/EHS stakeholders, including education managers, coaches, teachers, home visitors, disability service managers, and family childcare providers.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders to foster comprehensive learning environments and support effective program implementation.
• Adult Learning: Apply principles of adult learning theory to create impactful training sessions and professional development experiences that build staff capacity.
• Continuous Improvement: Monitor, assess, and evaluate the effectiveness of professional development initiatives, utilizing data-driven insights and participant feedback to drive improvements.
• Resource Review: Participate in field testing, content review, and the revision of professional development materials to ensure quality and relevance.
• Maintain Expertise: Stay current with emerging research in early learning, Head Start regulations, and best practices in adult education.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, child development, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience delivering professional development and training and technical assistance in early learning systems and Head Start programs.
• 1 + year of HSPPS, ELOF, and effective teaching and home visiting practices.
• 1+ years of experience training a variety of ECE audiences in virtual and in-person environments.
• 1+ year of experience with DLLs, children with disabilities, or programs serving families facing adversity.
• 1 + year of adult learning theory, with a track record of successful application.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in early childhood education or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience working with the Head Start TTA system.
• Experiencing supporting AIAN or MSHS programs.
• Fluently bilingual (Spanish).

Professional Skills

• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Strong facilitation, coordination, and problem-solving abilities.
• Capacity to collaborate effectively across diverse teams, organizations, and content areas.
• Ability to work independently and efficiently in a virtual environment.

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