Tribal Child Care SME in Quality Improvement

Who We Are: Miami Environment & Energy Solutions (MEES) is wholly owned by the federally recognized Miami Tribe of Oklahoma, and is a Small Business Administration certified Tribal 8(a) business, and a Small Disadvantaged Business. As a Tribal 8(a), MEES has the capability to work with federal customers in creating responsive, comprehensive, and fast solutions to mission requirements. MEES offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) matching, and generous PTO and federal holidays schedule.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY: The Tribal Subject Matter Expert provides high quality training and technical assistance (TTA) that improves the capacity of Tribal early childhood programs. The Tribal SME will support the Regional Technical Assistance Specialist Team and the Training and Resource Development Team to develop and deliver training and technical assistance to Tribal Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) grantees that reflect the diversity of languages and traditions that exist in American Indian and Alaska Native cultures. The programs are geographically diverse and provide comprehensive services to children and families that are culturally responsive and respectful of tribal sovereignty. The ideal candidate will have both a background and experience in Child Development or Early Childhood Education with extensive knowledge of the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) regulations and program implementation. The Tribal Subject Matter Expert will provide national expertise on CCDF topics to support the Regional Technical Assistance Specialist Team and the Training and Resource Development Team and develop and deliver technical assistance resources and opportunities related to CCDF subject matter (including subsidy administration, health and safety, quality improvement and supply building, construction and major renovation, fiscal management and internal controls, emergency preparedness and disaster relief and recovery). The focus of TTA developed and provided by the SME team supports effective CCDF administration, capacity building, and the full implementation of CCDF requirements. Understanding of developmentally appropriate practice in early childhood education and the ability to support its use as well as cultural and linguistic responsiveness in the classroom is required. The ideal candidate will have experience with providing culturally respectful engagement strategies to Tribal Lead Agencies, Tribal CCDF Administrators, Tribal CCDF program staff, and related roles.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Develop a menu of TA offerings that are available related to subject matter. Support OCC designated priorities and special projects, including development of T/TA materials (e.g., issue briefs, handouts, brochures, presentation kits, and webinars).Work with team members to develop and execute targeted and universal training events (national and cross-regional face-to-face trainings and webinars, peer learning groups and communities of practice).Maintain close communication with TA Specialists, Deputy Project Director and Project Director to ensure targeted and universal training events are planned and offered effectively and meet the needs of participants. Work in coordination with the Training Team, TA Team, and other project staff to design, develop, and deliver TA activities. Work with the Deputy Project Director and Training Team to develop workgroup planning meeting schedules to ensure timely development of T/TA materials and webinars. Review ECD-related materials available on the web (e.g., the OCC TA website, the Office of Head Start’s Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC), other federal partners’ sites), and, on a quarterly basis, work with the Training Team to provide Tribal grantees an updated, hyperlinked list that could assist them in the improvement, management, and provision of their CCDF services. Develop deep knowledge and skill in CCDF requirements in the areas specific to CCDF implementation, particularly to topical assignments, and utilize this knowledge in the development of content-specific resources and presentations. Work with Tribal Center team to develop a draft national Tribal TA strategy, based on input from OCC leadership and Regional Offices, which focuses on issues of common concern around CCDF implementation across Tribal CCDF programs to present to OCC for approval. Will respond to information requests from Tribal Lead Agency CCDF Administrators and their staff, OCC staff, OCC TA providers, and other interested parties regarding Tribal CCDF issues and develop an approach to address the need to be submitted to OCC for approval. At the direction of the COR, in consultation with the OCC Central and Regional Offices, and in collaboration with other OCC TA providers, the SME will develop and deliver content for regional Plan Preprint Trainings in 2022 related to their subject matter expertise. Assist all TA Specialists with TA related to topical assignment utilizing the resources developed. Work with other OCC TA providers to prioritize and develop and/or adapt written TA materials to assist Tribal CCDF administrators in advancing the OCC and Lead Agency goals Ensure all targeted and universal TA provided is tracked and reported according to established project protocols in the Technical Assistance Tracker (TAT).Participate and sometimes facilitate in scheduled full-team meetings Participate and sometimes facilitate in weekly SME & TA Team meetings.

Job Qualifications and Requirements: Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development or related field.5+ years of demonstrated experience in early childhood services working with children and families from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds.5+ years of experience offering training and technical assistance within early care and education, including strong consultation, presentation, and facilitation skills. Knowledge of CCDF regulations and all applicable federal, state, Tribal, and local laws, rules, and regulations, especially related to assigned subject matter. Ability to maintain up to date knowledge of current child development practices and research based early childhood quality improvement methods and approaches. Ability to develop training and TA content, including excellent written and verbal communication skills. Proficient in MS Office Applications (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Excel, SharePoint, Teams) and other E-learning, webinar, and project management tools including Smartsheet. Excellent verbal, interpersonal, and written communication skills. Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities. Team player with the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment. Ability to apply detailed knowledge of organizational procedures to make independent decisions and serve as a credible resource for a senior management team. Ability to be flexible, handle multiple priorities, and work limited overtime as necessary. Experience within Federally recognized Tribes and Native communities preferred. Native Language Revitalization and/or dual language program knowledge preferred. Understanding of trauma-informed care and supporting the social-emotional needs of children preferred. Experience in a leadership position within a CCDF/Head Start Program or similar position preferred. Experience providing training at State, Regional, or National Conferences/Meetings and technical assistance to individual organizations preferred. Experience at state, Tribal and/or national level with policies, early care and education regulations, and systems, particularly the implementation of the CCDF and/or other Tribal or state early learning programs preferred. Experience with content knowledge related to child care leadership and coordination, management systems, financial management, program integrity, health and safety standards, professional development strategies, monitoring, continuous quality improvement, provider licensing/approval, subsidy child and family eligibility, consumer education, child curriculum and assessment, and other early childhood programs and initiatives preferred. Experience with partnership-building and leading small, collaborative committees, workgroups, or task forces to develop projects or resources preferred. Travel This position will involve extensive travel within home state and clusters of states where the candidate is assigned.