Head Start Systems Specialist – Service Area VI

ICF

. Provide subject matter expertise, consultation, and resources to Regional Office and TTA staff to improve coordination across state and federal early childhood care and education systems .

Posted 9/24/2026full-timeRemote • United StatesLead💰 $67,355 - $114,503 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in early childhood education systems, providing technical assistance and consultation to enhance coordination among state and federal programs. Proficient in data analysis and effective communication to support decision-making and collaboration across diverse stakeholders.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Technical AssistanceData AnalysisCollaboration FacilitationHead Start KnowledgeCommunication Skills

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Data-Driven Decision MakingTechnical AssistanceProgram ManagementChild DevelopmentEarly Childhood EducationFacilitating Group DiscussionsAnalyzing Regional DataPlanning SessionsHead Start Performance StandardsChild Care Licensing

Soft Skills

Excellent Verbal CommunicationExcellent Written CommunicationProject ManagementIndependent WorkTeam Engagement

Tools & Technologies

Microsoft OfficeSmartsheetTableau

Industry Keywords

Early Childhood CareHead StartEducation LeadershipHuman Services SystemsState PrekindergartenQRISSubsidy AdministrationChild AssessmentFederal RegulationsState Policies

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Tableau

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Provide subject matter expertise, consultation, and resources to Regional Office and TTA staff to improve coordination across state and federal early childhood care and education systems
Coordinate with Head Start associations, Head Start State Collaboration Offices, Departments of Education, local education agencies, and other partners
Improve state and local coordination efforts and address cross-cutting challenges affecting Head Start children and families
Aggregate and analyze regional data to identify cross-system coordination and collaboration issues
Participate in regional-level meetings with HSCO Directors, state Child Care administrators, and other state-level early childhood systems partners
Provide direct technical assistance and training to Head Start/Early Head Start grantees at the direction of the Regional Office
Support emerging Office of Head Start initiatives and priorities
Deliver services in person or virtually as determined by the regional office
Travel within the assigned ACF region, to the Washington, D.C. metro area, and other parts of the country as needed

Requirements

What you’ll need

Minimum of a BA or BS from an accredited university or college in management, communication, education leadership or administration, early childhood education, child development or related field
Minimum of five years of experience
At least three years’ experience providing technical assistance and consultation to Head Start and/or state and federal early childhood development, education or human services systems
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 involving 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 orally and in writing to various audiences
Knowledge of Head Start performance standards and applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations
Experience with state and/or national policies, early care and education regulations, and systems
Experience with child care licensing, subsidy administration, QRIS, child assessment, State prekindergarten, and other early childhood programs and initiatives
Experience with data and management system software such as Smartsheet and Tableau
Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher) required
Excellent verbal and written communication skills required
Ability to plan and provide technical assistance, facilitate group discussions and planning sessions, and present to varied audiences
Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks and projects while meeting deliverable timelines
Ability to collect, aggregate, analyze and use data to inform planning and decision making
Ability to work independently and contribute to team planning and engagement
Extensive travel required
Master’s Degree in early childhood education, child development or related degree preferred

Benefits

Comp & perks

Equal opportunity employer
Reasonable accommodations for disabled veterans, individuals with disabilities, and individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs
Benefit offerings referenced in the Transparency in (Benefits) Coverage Act