Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: National/Federal Level

U.S. Department Education – Institute of Education Sciences

Position – Public Affairs Specialist

This position is located at the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) in Washington, D.C. IES is the research arm of the U.S. Department of Education. Its mission is to provide reliable evidence on which to ground education practice and policy, and to share this information broadly. By identifying what works, what doesn't, and why, IES aims to improve educational outcomes for all students, particularly those at risk of educational failure. With an annual budget of over $550 million and a staff of approximately 180 people, IES supports a wide range of research, statistics, assessment, and evaluation activities. Its work is carried out by four centers:

Skills and Qualifications -A bachelor's degree or equivalent degree. OR
Applicants are expected to possess the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) listed below to qualify for this position. These KSAs are addressed in the self-assessment questionnaire that you will complete for this announcement. You do not need to respond separately to the KSAs listed below. Your answers to the on-line experience questions will serve as responses to the KSAs. Your application will be evaluated based on your ability to demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities/competencies (KSAs):

National Center for Infants, Toddlers and Families – Zero to Three

ZERO TO THREE is a national, nonprofit organization that provides parents, professionals and policymakers the knowledge and know-how to nurture early development.

Job Title: Program Manager, Resource Development Department: National Center on Early Head Start-Child Care (EHS-CC) Partnerships

Qualifications and skills:

Knowledge, Skills and Experience · Excellent knowledge of and experience with the infants and toddlers, Early Head Start program, child care programs and systems, including Family Child Care, the Child Care and Development Fund, the Head Start Program Performance Standards and early childhood partnerships at state and local levels · At least ten years of experience in the early childhood field at various levels; at least five years of successful program or project leadership experience and supervision · Experience and capability in results-based work, using logic models and tracking outcomes · Clear and concise writing skills; effective verbal communication and public speaking skills · Effective training and technical assistance skills that reflect principles of adult learning, leadership, reflective supervision and team processing · Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills; successful experience working and communicating with diverse people · Ability to work independently as well as in a team structure; ability to manage multiple tasks and be flexible · Ability to travel required Essential Qualities · Encourages and practices critical thinking

Education Master’s degree in early childhood development or a related field preferred; Bachelor’s degree in early childhood or a related field required.

T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood-National Center – Implements and sustains programs and strategies that result in a well-educated, fairly compensated and stable early childhood workforce to ensure the long term success of our nation’s children in school and in life.

Job Title: Specialist, Infant Toddler Educ.

 The Specialist, Infant Toddler Education develops and delivers high quality professional development events for early child care and education program staff in an effort to increase knowledge and skills around providing quality infant and toddler group care to support early development and learning.

 Education and Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, or related field plus or including at least 6 birth to five focused semester hours; Master’s degree preferred. • At least three years of experience in working with infants and toddlers and their families or the programs that serve them; two years’ experience in the Infant Toddler Enhancement Project preferred • Experience in developing and conducting high quality early childhood professional development opportunities.

References

U.S. Department Education – Institute of Education Sciences

www.ed.gov

National Center for Infants, Toddlers and Families – Zero to Three

www.zerotothree.org/

T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood-National Center

www.childcareservices.org/ps/teach

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

National Association for the Education of Young Children-NAEYC

I choose this association because it keys in on all the major components for the development of children from birth to age 8. During this time children are like sponges, they are absorbing as much as they can and learning themselves also. Having educators that are more diverse and dynamic in early childhood will help them to work harder and be passionate about the advancement of young children. There is one position that is available that interest me, Senior Director, NAEYC for Early Childhood Program Accreditation. The following skills would be needed;

·         Demonstrated leadership and management skills administering early childhood systems and quality improvement initiatives.  Demonstrated track record of staff supervision that motivates excellent performance and supports ongoing staff development.

·         Excellent organizational, communication and interpersonal skills.

·         Strong conceptual and analytic skills and talent for innovation.

National Center for Children in Poverty-NCCP

This association focuses on the family economic security, strong nurturing families and healthy child development. This association focuses on low-income families and children, they promote family-oriented solutions at the state and national levels. There is one position that is available that interest me, Qualitative Research Assistant. The following skills would be needed;

·         Recruit participants into the study using approved methodologies

·         Schedule focus group sessions for study participants

National Early Childhood Program Accreditation-NECPA

            

This association focuses on supporting children and early educators through mentor program, webinars, workshops and online resources. Primarily, the self-assessment process which involves parents, staff and program management encourages all to work together to reach for a higher level of quality. The one position that interest me was a Certified NECPA Verifier. The following skills would be needed;  Ensure children are stimulated in healthy, nurturing and developmentally appropriate environments.  Strengthens your child advocacy mission.

·         Cultivates a greater awareness for unparalleled quality in early childhood landscapes.

·         Focuses on the five founding principles; integrity, pursuit of excellence, responsibility, reliability and commitment.