TITLE: Head Start Systems Specialist
LOCATION: Must be located within 50 miles of the Office of Head Start (OHS) Regional Office (Atlanta, Georgia)
TRAVEL: Some travel required to meet with team and clients.
About Us
The Providencia Group is led by a purpose: to address global challenges and make an impact that matters through delivering transformative solutions. This purpose defines who we are (our identity) and extends to our relationships with our clients, our people, and our communities. We combine purpose, innovation, and experience to deliver impactful results.
About the Team
We are problem solvers working with leading agencies and organizations to help them address many of today’s most complex challenges. Our world-class team of technologists, program managers, and subject matter experts is uniquely qualified to address ever-evolving, large-scale challenges. In an imperfect world, The Providencia Group puts capability and purpose into action.
What you’ll be part of – TPG Culture
At TPG, we expect incredible tangible results. TPG professionals play a unique role in delivering these results. We reach across disciplines and borders to serve our global organization. We provide a roadmap focusing on people, our work, and continuous improvement. We see people as people, take care of each other, commit to the mission, move quickly and bravely, get better every day, and seek truth. We are the backbone of TPG.
About the Role
Systems Specialists are uniquely positioned to be a bridge between multiple systems on a state, regional, and national level, which creates the ability to leverage data, create collaborative partnerships, and expand opportunities that enhance quality for all birth-to-five early care and education settings. Systems Specialists identify and promote cross-system coordination between state and regional partners and provide subject matter expertise, resources, and consultation to the Office of Head Start (OHS) Regional Office and Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) staff to improve coordination efforts across early childhood systems to provide school readiness.
Key Responsibilities
- The Systems Specialist shall provide the following, in-person or virtually, as determined by the Office of Head Start (OHS) Regional Office:
- Provide subject matter expertise, consultation, and resources to the Office of Head Start (OHS) Regional Office and TTA staff to improve coordination opportunities across state and federal early childhood care and education systems that impact the service delivery, overall support, and mission of Head Start.
- Coordinate with partners such as Head Start Associations, Head Start State Collaboration Offices, and Departments of Education to improve state and local coordination efforts, promote collaboration with local education agencies, and address cross-cutting challenges affecting Head Start children and families.
- Aggregate and analyze regional data related to Head Start collaboration with state and federal early childhood development and education systems, local education agencies, and other local, state, and regional partners to identify cross-system coordination and collaboration issues.
- Participate in regional-level meetings with Head Start Collaboration Office (HSCO) Directors, state Child Care administrators and other state-level early childhood systems partners, as directed by the Office of Head Start (OHS) Regional Office.
- Provide direct TTA to Head Start/Early Head Start grantees at the direction of the Office of Head Start (OHS) Regional Office.
- Support emerging Office of Head Start initiatives and priorities.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college in management, communication, education leadership or administration, early childhood education, child development or related field.
- Five years of experience with at least three years’ experience with the provision of technical assistance and consultation to Head Start and/or state and federal early childhood development, education, or human services systems.
- Two years of experience with using multiple technological platforms to perform duties such as data integration, data aggregation, creating reports, dashboards and data visualizations to interpret results.
- 1 year of experience facilitating successful collaborations within state and federal early childhood development, education or human services systems.
- 1 year of experience providing technical assistance that includes working with management teams and program staff.
- 1 year of experience analyzing data and helping programs make data-driven decisions.
- 1 year of experience facilitating group discussions and presenting to a range of audiences.
- 1 year of experience communicating both orally and in writing to various audiences.
- Ability to type 45 wpm.
Professional Skills:
- Experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher) required.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.
- Team player with the ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to work with all levels of internal staff, as well as outside clients and vendors.
- Ability to plan and provide technical assistance, facilitate group discussions and planning sessions, and present to a range of audiences, including direct service staff, partner providers, and ECE leaders.
- Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously while ensuring quality services are provided and deliverable timelines are met.
- Ability to work independently and contribute to a culture of team planning and engagement.
- Ability to effectively communicate, both orally and in writing to various audiences.
- Ability to collect, aggregate, analyze, and use data to inform planning and decision-making and to enhance problem-solving and innovation
Desired Qualifications:
- Master's degree in early childhood education, child development or related degree.
- Knowledge of Head Start performance standards and all applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations and Head Start Act.
- Experience at state and/or national level with policies, early care and education regulations, and systems, particularly the implementation of the Child Care and Development Fund and/or other state early learning programs.
- Experience with content knowledge related to childcare licensing, subsidy administration, Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (QRIS), child assessment, State prekindergarten, and other early childhood programs and initiatives.
- Experience with data and management system software such as Power BI/Tableau.
Conditions of Employment
- Complete a Drug Test.
- Be at least 21 years of age.
- Be able to obtain a Tier 2, Non-sensitive Public Trust (Moderate Risk) Clearance.
- Available to travel as necessary.
- A valid US Driver’s license.
Security Clearance/Background Check Requirements
- Applicants selected will be subject to a government background investigation and may need to meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.
- Must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident.
- Residency requirement - 3 consecutive years in the last 5 years.
- Internal background check to the satisfaction of contract requirements.
The Work Environment
- This is a remote opportunity where occasional travel will be required, as needed. Since this is a remote role, must have a dedicated workspace conducive to full videoconferencing (camera and audio) for facilitating webinars and online discussions.
- Must be located within 50 miles of the Office of Head Start (OHS) Regional Office (Atlanta, Georgia)
- Travel will be within the assigned ACF region as well as to the Washington, D.C. metro area, and other parts of the country as needed.
Work Schedule
- This is a full-time position that typically works business hours Monday through Friday. Hours may vary depending on needs and may at times include travel, evenings, or weekends to meet specific project requirements.
Physical Requirements/Working Conditions
- Standing/Walking/Mobility: Must have mobility to walk sites and attend meetings with other stakeholders and employees.
- Climbing/Stooping/Kneeling: 10% of the time.
- Lifting/Pulling/Pushing: 10% of the time.
- Fingering/Grasping/Feeling: Must be able to write, type, and use a telephone system 100% of the time.
- Sitting: Sitting for prolonged and extended periods.
Providencia is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.
TPG complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities.
If you require accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquires to HRsupport@theprovidenciagroup.com
