Senior Technical Assistance Specialist

ICF’s Early Education Services Line of Business seeks an experienced Senior Technical Assistance Specialist to support States, Territories, and Tribes to collect, manage and report child-care federally mandated data to improve the quality, completeness, and timely submission of the data. Technical assistance will be provided on the data collection system as well as expert programmatic technical assistance on the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) data reporting requirements. This position will collaborate on the development of innovative, high-quality products and services delivered onsite or through virtual platforms.

The ideal candidate will have both a background in and experience with early childhood education (ECE) data systems at the local, state or national level, including experience specifically with the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) data in a state, territory, or Tribe. This position will be responsible for the design, development, and implementation of Training and Technical Assistance (TTA).

The position is full-time and remote within the U.S. and may involve up to 20% travel to OCC sponsored events and to provide technical assistance to states, territories and Tribes.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Leverages specialized depth and breadth of CCDF requirements to inform and assist grantees in meeting federally mandated data reporting requirements.
• Uses knowledge of data analysis methodology to assist grantees with data collection and reporting.  
• Works with team members to clarify, refine and synthesize data as needed. 
• Informs the development of databases, dashboards, and reports to support effective collection and utilization of CCDF data.
• Identifies resource development needs by evaluating grantee needs and developing on-going technical assistance plans.
• Tracks the submission status of federally mandated data and alerts grantees of upcoming due dates.
• Assesses the quality of data provided and delivers feedback to grantees to enhance the quality of data.
• Develops, facilitates review and approval, and disseminates accurate, easy to understand technical assistance resources for grantees. 
• Uses knowledge of CCDF reporting requirements to design training and technical assistance services that support compliance and guides lead agencies towards best practices.
• Develops and delivers targeted and universal training and technical assistance activities (e.g., regional meetings, national conferences, and site visits) including coordinating the event production calendar and tracking logistics for events.   
• Ensures training and technical assistance events are evaluated in a consistent and timely manner and ensures follow up on any issues or questions that surface. 
• Participates in or leads various workgroups as requested and as relevant to the project’s work. 
• Interacts and networks regularly with peers in other functional areas of the project.
• Takes responsibility for understanding the goals and objectives of the client.
• Builds strong, positive relationships with CARS team members for ongoing communication, collaborative planning, and shared problem solving to meet the needs of clients, states, territories, and Tribes.
• Builds strong, positive relationships and connections with Office of Child Care (OCC) staff (Central, regional) and CCDF Lead Agency staff to foster effective communication, planning, and shared problem solving.
• This job description is not intended to be a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may be revised at any time to meet project needs at any time with or without notice.

 Basic Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, public policy, public administration, or management. 
• 8+ years of demonstrated experience in early childhood, public policy, public administration, or management.
• 8+ years of experience offering training and technical assistance on CCDF regulations, including strong presentation and facilitation skills. 
• 5+ years of experience with CCDF regulations and applicable federal data reporting requirements.
• 5+ years of experience developing training and TA content, including excellent written and verbal communication skills. 
• 5+ years of experience coordinating teams to establish and track project plans, milestones, and timelines for project deliverables.  

Preferred Experience/Skills: 

• Experience supporting the implementation of the CCDF program at the Federal, State or Local Level. 
• Experience at state or national level with policies, early care and education regulations, and systems, particularly the collection and analysis of data to inform practice. 
• Experience at the state or national level with the development and implementation of technical assistance.
• Experience with and content knowledge related to CCDF data reporting, data analysis, and utilizing data to inform regulations. 
• Experience addressing complex issues where analysis of data requires an in-depth evaluation of variable or previously unidentified factors.

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 to handle multiple priorities 
• Demonstrated outstanding level of professionalism including the ability to exercise good judgment, discretion, tact, and diplomacy. 
• Sound business ethics, including the protection of proprietary and confidential information. 
• Ability to address conflict openly, looking for win-win solutions.
• Appreciation of diverse cultures, work styles, and different ways of thinking.

Working at ICF

We can only solve the world's toughest challenges by building an inclusive workplace that allows everyone to thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to hiring regardless of any protected characteristic, such as race, ethnicity, national origin, color, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability status, or military/veteran status. Together, our employees are empowered to share their expertise and collaborate with others to achieve personal and professional goals. For more information, please read our EEO & AA policy.

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 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.

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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 is: