Technical Assistance Specialist - Tribal

ICF’s Child Care and Development Technical Assistance Line of Business seeks an experienced Tribal Technical Assistance Specialist to serve as a Tribal Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Fiscal Management and Internal Controls. The Tribal Child Care Capacity Building Center (TCBC) provides high-quality training and technical assistance (TA) that improves the capacity of Tribal Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) programs that reflect the various languages and traditions that exist in Tribal cultures. The programs are geographically diverse and provide comprehensive services to children and families that are culturally responsive and respectful of Tribal sovereignty. This role will provide ongoing, prompt, and accurate programmatic assistance to federal staff and CCDF grantees with high-quality services and products that exceed expectations.

The ideal candidate will have both background and experience in Child Development or Early Childhood Education with knowledge of Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) regulations and program implementation, with a focus on Fiscal Management and Internal Controls. The role will provide support and TA to grantees by delivering training and TA activities aligned with the approved financial management and internal controls training and TA plan. The role will be responsible for the design, development, and implementation of training and TA using research-based practices that reflect the varied languages and traditions that exist in Tribal cultures.

The position is full-time and home-based with up to 25% travel required to provide technical assistance to assigned Tribes and to attend related conferences and meetings.

Key Responsibilities:

·       Support client priorities and project objectives by completing required and ad hoc reports as well as other relevant information gathering tasks to demonstrate project progress and accomplishments, inform training and technical assistance (TA) efforts, and identify emerging CCDF TA needs for Tribal communities.

·       Actively participate and engage in team meetings, internal workgroups, and other collaborative projects as requested. Take and record notes during meetings, including staff meetings and federal workgroup meetings.

·       Participate in and/or lead various workgroups as requested by the client or project leadership, and as relevant to the project’s work.

·       Support digital file management, organization, archiving, and file migration.

·       Support efforts to ensure appropriate review, approval, posting, and dissemination of TA resources and announcements.

·       Assist TA Specialists and partners with training and TA planning related to Fiscal Management and Internal Controls best practices, policies, and CCDF requirements.

·       Respond to information requests from Tribal Lead Agency CCDF Administrators and their staff, client staff, national TA providers, and other interested parties regarding Tribal CCDF fiscal management TA requests, including developing an approach to address the requester’s needs.

·       Work with the client and the project team to develop a menu of responsive TA offerings on fiscal management topics for Tribal communities such as construction and major renovation, fiscal management, internal controls, program integrity and accountability, and fiscal reporting.

·       Work in coordination with the team to design, develop, and deliver training and technical assistance (TA) activities and materials that support the client's designated priorities, project objectives, and meet the unique needs of Tribal CCDF grantees and communities.

·       Work with team members to design and deliver TA events, including national and cross-regional face-to-face trainings, webinars, peer learning groups, and communities of practice, including coordinating the event production calendar and tracking logistics for events.

·       Support the development and implementation of effective communication strategies to share timely information within the project and externally.

·       Use approved tools such as Smartsheet, Mural, or AI, when appropriate, to facilitate and track task completion.

·       Serve as the content lead for TA efforts relating to Fiscal Management and Internal Controls to support all Tribal CCDF programs.

·       Support the client's designated priorities and project objectives pertaining to Fiscal Management and Internal Controls best practices and CCDF requirements to support Tribal CCDF Lead Agencies.

·       Work with project teams and TA partners to prioritize and develop and/or adapt written TA materials to meet the needs of Tribal CCDF Administrators in advancing the goals of the client and the Tribal Lead Agency.

·       Co-lead the ACF Tribal Financial Management workgroup including scheduling, developing meeting agendas, taking notes, and disseminating information.

·       Co-lead the Tribal Capacity Building Center internal fiscal management workgroup including scheduling, developing meeting agendas, taking notes, and disseminating information.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Basic Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, public policy, administration, management, or related field.

5+ years of experience

·       early education and care programs or systems, public policy implementation, administration, or grants management for programs that support Tribal children and families.

·       Tribal Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) regulations; Head Start performance standards; and applicable federal, state, Tribal, and local laws, rules, and regulations, especially related to the Tribal CCDF Plan.

·       fiscal management and internal controls requirements and best practices to support federally funded early care and education systems, including the Tribal CCDF program.

·       early childhood services working with children and families from different cultural and economic backgrounds.

3+ years of experience developing and delivering training and technical assistance (TA) for early care and education programs or systems, including consulting, presenting, and facilitating TA in Tribal communities and supporting state, territory, and Tribal child care leaders, partners, intermediaries, and providers in understanding and applying fiscal management requirements and best practices.

Proficient in MS Office Applications (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Excel, SharePoint, Teams).

Experience with using e-learning, webinar, or virtual meeting platforms and digital work management tools (such as Smartsheet and Mural).

Preferred Qualifications:

·       Master’s degree in early childhood education, public policy, or management.

·       Experience working within or supporting federally recognized Tribes and Tribal Nations.

·       Experience in a leadership position within a CCDF/Head Start Program or similar position and/or serving as a Tribal CCDF Administrator or Co-Administrator.

·       Experience at Tribal, state, or national level with early care and education policies, regulations, and systems, particularly the implementation of the CCDF or other state or Tribal early learning programs.

·       Experience in using instructional design, adult learning principles, and Indigenous knowledge to develop effective training and technical assistance.

·       Experience with leading collaborative workgroups to consolidate feedback, develop recommendations, or develop resources.

·       Experience providing training and technical assistance for state, Tribal, or territory early care and education systems, particularly the implementation of the CCDF or other state early learning programs.

·       Experience providing training at state, regional, or national conferences or meetings and technical assistance to individual organizations or programs.

Professional Skills:

·       Excellent verbal, interpersonal, and written communication skills.

·       Strong writing skills with the ability to translate complex topics into simple content that is easy to read, understand, and apply.

·       Ability to prioritize and manage multiple activities simultaneously in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, while being able to meet urgent deadlines.

·       Strong communication and interpersonal skills to support positive client relations, team building, and business development opportunities.

·       Ability to work independently and as a dedicated team player.

·       Ability to collaborate effectively with a multidisciplinary team who may have varying work styles, learning styles, and perspectives.

·       Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.

Ability to adapt and learn and use new technology tools and platforms and identify ways to enhance and improve efficiency and productivity.

Working at ICF

ICF is a global advisory and technology services provider, but we’re not your typical consultants. We combine unmatched expertise with cutting-edge technology to help clients solve their most complex challenges, navigate change, and shape the future.

We can only solve the world's toughest challenges by building a workplace that allows everyone to thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer. 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 policy.

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Work Authorization and Sponsorship

All candidates must be authorized to work in the United States. This position is not eligible for new H-1B visa sponsorship by ICF. Candidates who currently hold valid work authorization may be considered for a change of employer petition, subject to company policy and applicable immigration requirements.

Reasonable Accommodations

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 [email protected] 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 or our benefit offerings which are included in the Transparency in (Benefits) Coverage Act. 

Bot and Third-Party Applications

Please note that this application must be submitted directly by the applicant for consideration. Failure to do so may result in the application being excluded for consideration.  Applicants needing an accommodation for disability or religious purposes in connection with the application process should contact [email protected] for assistance.

Candidate AI Usage Policy

At ICF, we are committed to ensuring a fair interview process for all candidates based on their own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to generate or assist with responses during interviews (whether in-person or virtual) is not permitted. This policy is in place to maintain the integrity and authenticity of the interview process.  

However, we understand that some candidates may require accommodation that involves the use of AI. If such an accommodation is needed, candidates are instructed to contact us in advance at [email protected]. We are dedicated to providing the necessary support to ensure that all candidates have an equal opportunity to succeed.  

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 based on full-time employment is:

$67,355.00 - $114,503.00Nationwide Remote Office (US99)