Job Abstract

ICF’s Early Education Services Line of Business seeks an Early Childhood Systems Consultant to work on call with the Child Care State Capacity Building Center (SCBC) to align internal efforts to provide critical and strategic training and resources to staff. The on-call consultant will develop staff training resources related to our TA Framework and capacity building services. SCBC delivers training and technical assistance (TA) to Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) grantees (states and territories) to assist with implementing the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) and improving the accessibility of high-quality child care and the development of comprehensive early childhood systems.

The ideal candidate will have both a background in and experience with early childhood education (ECE) systems as a technical writer and technical assistance provider. The candidate will also have experience with integrating adult learning principles into technical assistance delivery.

Key Responsibilities:

Communication, Collaboration, and Client Focus

• Support designated priorities and special projects, including development of training resources related to identified framework and capacity building.
• Build strong, positive relationships with team members for ongoing communication, collaborative planning, and shared problem solving to meet the needs of the project.
• Discuss findings with internal staff to help ensure the uptake of research findings to practice.
• Utilize components of implementation science to help inform the work.
• Work within a team setting on analysis, reporting, and utilization of findings.
• Work within a team setting to align frameworks for TA delivery with staff training resources.

Expertise and Scope:

• Develop and maintain positive, results-oriented relationships with project staff.
• Provide consultation in a manner that is responsive to project needs and meets leadership where they are using relationship-based approaches.
• Incorporate evidence-based facilitation, active listening, cultural humility, analysis, strategy, resource provision, research, and reflective thought partnership in the work
• Identify outcome as well as partnership responsibilities of project staff.
• Stay abreast of the latest trends, research, tools, and resources that support early childhood system building and technical assistance delivery.
• Collaborate with project team leads to gather information, develop strategies and training resources, and implement a training approach for staff.
• Leverage specialized depth and breadth of expertise and apply a broad perspective to identify solutions to complex tasks
• Lead the development and delivery of complex tasks and deliverables
• Identifying trends, takeaways, and priorities from previously developed materials and enhance the information to facilitate understanding.

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.
• 12+ years of relevant experience in the early care and education field providing technical assistance, technical writing, and project management including leading the development of complex tasks.
• 8+ years of experience providing project management support and implementing management processes.
• 5+ years of experience with task and project management, including developing timelines, work plans, development, and implementation.

Preferred Skills:

• A master’s degree in early childhood education, public policy, public administration, or management
• 10+ years of experience focusing on early childhood policies, regulations, and systems
• Experience solving complex problems and proactively addressing issues to improve outcomes.
• Strong technical knowledge and the ability to explain and solve complex concepts.
• Experience working with multiple partners, content advisors, and technical assistance provider.
• Experience as a systems-level early childhood consultant, facilitator, and coach.

Professional Skills:

• Excellent verbal, interpersonal, and written communication skills  
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities  
• Team player with the ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment  
• Ability to work with all levels of internal staff. 
• Ability to apply detailed knowledge of organizational procedures to make independent decisions and serve as a credible resource for a senior management team  
• Expertise in business ethics, including the protection of proprietary and confidential information.
• Expertise in handling sensitive or confidential information exercising good judgment, discretion, tact, and diplomacy. 
• 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 icfcareercenter@icf.com 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 workplace discrimination rights, the Pay Transparency Statement, or our benefit offerings which are included in the Transparency in (Benefits) Coverage Act.

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: