Sr. Training and Technical Assistance Specialist

The Sr. Training and Technical Assistance (T/TA) Specialist will provide training and technical assistance to Head Start/Early Head Start regional TA specialists, Head Start (HS)/Early Head Start (EHS) and Child Care programs on content related to a wide range of areas focused on birth to five child development and effective teaching and home visiting practices in early childhood settings. This position will support elevate NCECDTL’s efforts to identify, develop, and promote the implementation of evidence-based and culturally and linguistically responsive practices for across center-based, family childcare, and home-based early childhood programs and settings, including practices that are responsive to American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) communities, and practices that prevent and address child incidents through an education lens.

Specifically, this position will develop and deliver in-person and virtual trainings on implementation of birth to five child development and play-based learning; effective teaching and home visiting practices; adult-child interactions and instructional support; dual language learning; disabilities services; curriculum implementation within the various HS/EHS program options and settings; transitions, including to kindergarten, promotion of secure parent/child relationships and social and emotional foundations of early learning; using data to individualize, improve practice, and enhance quality to ensure progress for all children; early childhood leadership development; and the use of ongoing professional development, Practice-Based Coaching, and reflective supervision to ensure effective practices. This role is funded through September 29, 2027.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Works with Senior Manager, TTA Delivery; Senior Manager of Content Quality, Director of PD; Director of TTA Integration; and Senior Director, Training to meet training and resource development needs around disability services.
• Develops training materials and provides in-person and virtual training and/or subject matter expertise to Head Start/Early Head Start grantees and regional TA specialists, and childcare programs as determined by the Center’s workplan.
• Develops training materials and provides training at national, regional, and service area conferences, institutes, and events as requested.
• Plan, host, and facilitate (or contribute to) national webinars, virtual learning series, office hours, or virtual meetings for identified groups of Head Start staff (e.g. Ed Managers, Home Visitors, Teachers, etc.) or regional TA providers (e.g. Early Childhood Specialists [ECSs]) as requested.

Content and Resource Development

• Contributes subject matter expertise to the development of new resources, Early Education Pathways courses, and technology innovations.
• Participates in the life cycle review and update of existing DTL courses on Early Education Pathways.
• Supports the review and update of DTL content on HeadStart.gov.

Quality, Collaboration, and Responsiveness

• Participates in various cross-functional teams and workgroups, as requested, to support day-to-day operations of the national center and address OHS priorities.
• Performs other duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the department.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 5 years of experience in a Head Start or Early Head Start program or in a Head Start regional TA position with linkages to a program with a home-based option.
• Deep knowledge and experience with Head Start populations including those families that seek home visiting services and socializations.
• Ability to deliver TTA in face-to-face, as well as, virtual settings.
• Deep knowledge of early childhood development from birth to five and effective teaching and/or home visiting practices.
• Deep knowledge of disabilities services for children birth to five, including IDEA Part B and Part C, early intervention and special education partnerships, and individualized supports that help children with disabilities fully participate in Head Start/Early Head Start settings.
• Deep knowledge of preventing and responding to child incidents in center-based, family child care, and home-based settings.
• Strong knowledge of Practice-Based Coaching training and support.
• Strong knowledge of CLASS Pre-K observation tool and other program, teacher and child-level assessment tools commonly used in early childhood programs.
• Strong knowledge of social and emotional foundations for early learning training and support.
• Strong knowledge of adult-child and parent-child relationships, and the selection and implementation of curricula in early childhood settings.
• Extensive experience with organizing, developing and providing training and technical assistance resources to a variety of audiences.
• Experience designing and facilitating learning communities, cohorts, or communities of practice, including virtual and hybrid formats, and training trainers (TOT).
• Strong knowledge of Head Start/Early Head Start programming, the Head Start Program Performance Standards, Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework, and HS technical assistance resources.
• Comfort and/or experience with technology innovation and instructional design, including online course development, accessible web content, and AI-assisted content development tools
• Knowledge of and experience with inclusion and disabilities services in Head Start/Early Head Start, including the Head Start Program Performance Standards on disabilities, IDEA Part B and Part C, and evidence-based practices for including children with disabilities in center-based and home-based settings preferred.
• Excellent conceptual, written and oral skills;
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team as well as independently;
• Strong oral, written and computer skills;
• Strong interpersonal skills; and
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret complex documents and
• Ability to collect, organize, analyze, and display various types of data.
• Reliable CLASS Pre-K observer preferred.

EDUCATION

While a minimum of a Master’s degree in Early Childhood or related field is preferred, robust experience will be valued, considered, and accepted in place of academic credentials.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

This position's salary is estimated to be mid $80,000s to ~$100,000 depending on experience, geo-location, budget, and other comparable and similarly scoped internal positions. In addition to salary, ZERO TO THREE offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, HRA, retirement contributions, generous leave benefits and more.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

While performing the responsibilities of the job, the employee is frequently required to use finger dexterity and sufficient hand dexterity to use a computer keyboard and be capable of reading a computer screen. Also, they may need to remain seated for extended periods, can perform repetitive motions, and reach for objects. An employee is frequently required to hold a writing instrument, communicate verbally, and hear well enough to detect nuances and receive detailed information. They may be required to grasp objects, push, and pull objects, bend, stand, walk, squat, or kneel. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision for data preparation or analysis, and expansive reading. May need to lift up to 30 pounds.