Sr. Training and Technical Assistance Specialist

ZERO TO THREE

3d•$85,000 - $100,000

About The Position

The Sr. Training and Technical Assistance (T/TA) Specialist provides training and technical assistance to Head Start/Early Head Start regional TA specialists, Head Start/Early Head Start and child care programs. The role focuses on birth-to-five child development and effective teaching and home visiting practices across center-based, family child care, and home-based settings. It supports the identification, development, and implementation of evidence-based and culturally and linguistically responsive practices, including practices responsive to American Indian and Alaska Native communities and practices that prevent and address child incidents through an education lens. The position is funded through September 29, 2027. The specialist develops and delivers in-person and virtual training on child development and play-based learning; teaching and home visiting practices; adult-child interactions and instructional support; dual language learning; disability services; curriculum implementation; transitions, including to kindergarten; parent-child relationships and social-emotional learning; using data to improve practice and quality; early childhood leadership; and ongoing professional development, Practice-Based Coaching, and reflective supervision. The position also contributes expertise to the development and updating of training resources, courses, and technology-based content; participates in cross-functional teams and workgroups; and supports national center operations and Office of Head Start priorities. Work may include training and events at national, regional, and service-area conferences, as well as webinars, virtual learning series, office hours, and virtual meetings.

Requirements

At least 5 years of experience in a Head Start or Early Head Start program, or in a Head Start regional TA position with links to a program with a home-based option.
Deep knowledge and experience with Head Start populations, including families seeking home visiting services and socializations.
Ability to deliver training and technical assistance in face-to-face and virtual settings.
Deep knowledge of early childhood development from birth to five and effective teaching and/or home visiting practices.
Deep knowledge of disability services for children birth to five, including IDEA Part B and Part C, early intervention and special education partnerships, and individualized supports 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 the 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 early childhood curricula.
Extensive experience organizing, developing, and providing training and technical assistance resources to varied audiences.
Experience designing and facilitating learning communities, cohorts, or communities of practice, including virtual and hybrid formats, and training trainers.
Strong knowledge of Head Start/Early Head Start programming, the Head Start Program Performance Standards, the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework, and Head Start technical assistance resources.
Comfort with or experience in technology innovation and instructional design, including online course development, accessible web content, and AI-assisted content development tools.
Excellent conceptual, written, and oral skills.
Ability to work collaboratively in a team and independently.
Strong oral, written, computer, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex documents.
Ability to collect, organize, analyze, and display various types of data.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of and experience with inclusion and disability services in Head Start/Early Head Start, including disability-related Head Start Program Performance Standards, IDEA Part B and Part C, and evidence-based inclusion practices in center-based and home-based settings.
Reliable CLASS Pre-K observer.
A Master’s degree in Early Childhood or a related field; robust experience may be considered in place of academic credentials.

Responsibilities

Work with senior managers and directors to meet training and resource development needs related to disability services.
Develop training materials and deliver in-person and virtual training or subject matter expertise to Head Start/Early Head Start grantees, regional TA specialists, and child care programs according to the Center’s workplan.
Provide training at national, regional, and service-area conferences, institutes, and events as requested.
Plan, host, facilitate, or contribute to national webinars, virtual learning series, office hours, and virtual meetings for Head Start staff or regional TA providers.
Contribute subject matter expertise to new resources, Early Education Pathways courses, and technology innovations.
Participate in lifecycle review and updates of existing DTL courses on Early Education Pathways.
Support review and updates of DTL content on HeadStart.gov.
Participate in cross-functional teams and workgroups to support national center operations and address Office of Head Start priorities.
Perform other duties as assigned to support efficient and effective department functioning.