Technical Assistance Lead

Job Description: 

ICF’s Early Education Services Line of Business seeks an experienced Technical Assistance Lead 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. The Technical Assistance Lead will develop and oversee the technical assistance approach and identify strategies to meet the client’s needs. This position will lead the development of innovative, high-quality products and services related to the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) program.

The ideal candidate will have both a background and experience with early childhood education (ECE) data systems at the state or national level, including extensive experience specifically with the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) data in a state, territory, or Tribe. The Technical Assistance Lead will also have experience in program administration, federal contracting, and project management with extensive knowledge of the CCDF regulations, program implementation, data collection, and analysis. This position will be responsible for strategic planning and overseeing 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 in states, territories and Tribes.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Provides expert knowledge of CCDF requirements to lead the development of technical assistance strategies to improve the submission of accurate and timely data by grantees in response to mandated data reporting requirements.
• Coordinates and assists in service delivery to ensure project tasks are in compliance with the project work statement and approved project plans, adjusting as needed.
• Develops and implements a change management plan.
• Builds strong, positive relationships with project staff for ongoing communication, collaborative planning, and shared problem solving to meet the needs of the client and ensure all project deliverables are effectively completed in a timely manner.
• Oversees and ensures the quality of all training and technical assistance deliverables.
• Coordinates day-to-day activities of staff, providing coaching and guidance where needed.
• Coordinates with the project’s technology and data analysis teams to ensure alignment of work.
• Coordinates with other Office of Child Care Technical Assistance projects.
• Uses expert knowledge to provide input on the development of databases, dashboards, and reports to support effective collection and utilization of CCDF data.
• Uses expert knowledge of CCDF reporting requirements to design training and technical assistance strategies to improve compliance and enhance the quality of data.
• Oversees the development and delivery of targeted and universal training and technical assistance activities (e.g., regional meetings, national conferences, and site visits).  
• Oversees the evaluation and continuous quality improvement of training and technical assistance events.
• Conducts regular team meetings to facilitate coordination, problem solving, and professional development.
• Conducts regular individual check-in calls with each staff to evaluate workload, discuss performance, identify areas in need of support, and maintain open communication.
• Leads workgroups as requested and as relevant to the projects’ work.
• 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, business, or management. 
• 12+ years of demonstrated experience in early childhood, public policy, public administration, or management.
• 12+ years of experience leading training and technical assistance on CCDF regulations, including strong presentation and facilitation skills. 
• 8+ years of experience with CCDF regulations and applicable federal data reporting requirements.
• 8+ years of experience developing training and TA content, including excellent written and verbal communication skills. 
• 8+ years of experience leading teams in establishing and tracking project plans, milestones, and timelines for project deliverables.  

Preferred Experience/Skills: 

• Master’s degree in early childhood education, public policy, public administration, business, or management. 
• 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 and work limited overtime, as necessary. 
• Demonstrated outstanding level of professionalism in providing administrative support, 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

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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: