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Sr. State Innovation Specialist

Remote - USA

ABOUT ZERO TO THREE

Founded in 1977, ZERO TO THREE works to ensure that babies and toddlers benefit from the early connections that are critical to their well-being and development. Our mission is to ensure that all babies and toddlers have a strong start in life. At ZERO TO THREE, we envision a society with the knowledge and will to support all infants and toddlers in reaching their full potential. Our Core Values Statement: We believe that how we do our work is as important as what we do. To learn more about ZERO TO THREE, please visit our website at zerotothree.org.

SUMMARY

The Sr. State Innovation Specialist will promote priorities identified at the federal and state level to support best practices and policy advocacy by providing technical assistance to states to assist them in making improvements to policies and systems to better support infants, toddlers, and their families. Support to Safe Babies states and sites will be provided through development of written materials, implementation of creative TA activities for state audiences; tracking of promising state initiatives and promotion of partnerships with other national centers.  A key area of work is leading training and technical assistance for states implementing Safe Babies in promotion-prevention settings. This targeted support will be offered to foster cross sector learning opportunities that contribute to the overall work of Safe Babies.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Facilitates a variety of technical assistance offerings including cross state learning opportunities, strategic planning support for the development of a state structure, site visits to support implementation of the SBCT™ approach to state leaders, including advocates, policymakers, state agency staff, and public-private coalitions.
  • Maintain an ongoing knowledge of infant-toddler policy issues and best practices, particularly related preventative strategies for at risk families involved with child welfare, maternal and child health, home visiting interventions and their role in the broader early childhood and family support systems.
  • Track and monitor promising state policies, practices, financing, and system-building efforts related to federal and state policy priorities, with a focus on those related to expanding comprehensive two- generation programs.
  • Promotion and guidance in the utilization of written materials such as policy briefs, articles highlighting innovative state efforts, and technical assistance tools for state-level audiences.
  • Plan and facilitate cross-state meetings, webinars, conference calls, communities of practice, and other mechanisms for states to advance their policy and systems work through networking and cross-state
  • Collaborate with the ZERO TO THREE Policy Center and key partners from other national advocacy organizations to jointly meet project deliverables.
  • Develop and strengthen relationships with leaders in states and partner organizations.
  • Contribute to grant proposals and reports to funders.
  • Perform other duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the Infant Toddler Court Program.

Idea Generation and Facilitation

  • Facilitates a variety of technical assistance offerings including cross state learning opportunities, strategic planning support for the development of a state structure, site visits to support implementation of the Safe Babies approach to state leaders, including advocates, policymakers, state agency staff, and public-private coalitions.
  • Promotion and guidance in the utilization of written materials such as policy briefs, articles highlighting innovative state efforts, and technical assistance tools for state-level audiences.
  • Plan and facilitate cross-state meetings, webinars, conference calls, communities of practice, and other mechanisms for states to advance their policy and systems work through networking and cross-state learning.
  • Use a variety of training methods to optimize engagement and learning outcomes for states and sites implementing the Safe Babies approach.

Project Development

  • Lead the development of strategic plans and timelines to implement group and individualized technical assistance activities related to Safe Babies implementation in promotion and prevention settings. This includes working collaboratively with TA Specialists, state teams and national partners.
  • Offer content expertise in areas of health promotion, child abuse and neglect prevention, and early childhood systems development to guide to develop strategic approaches for implementing Safe Babies in promotion and prevention settings.

Communication and Relationship Building

  • Collaborate with the ZERO TO THREE Policy Center and key partners from other national advocacy organizations to jointly meet project deliverables.
  • Participate and work with the project partners on focused, system development activities that support the states and sites we work with.
  • Utilize excellent verbal and written communication skills to maintain ongoing, responsive relationships with HRSA awardees, implementation teams, and federal project officers.
  • Ensure connectivity with states and other unit leaders in all the areas across the Safe Babies team and the Policy Center and ZERO TO THREE.
  • Work to develop a list of Subject Matter Experts that can support system development work in the states.
  • Contribute to grant proposals and reports to funders.

Continuous Quality Improvement

  • Maintain an ongoing knowledge of infant-toddler policy issues and best practices, particularly related preventative strategies for at risk families involved with child welfare, maternal and child health, home visiting interventions and their role in the broader early childhood and family support systems.
  • Track and monitor promising state policies, practices, financing, and system-building efforts related to federal and state policy priorities, with a focus on those related to expanding comprehensive two-generation programs.
  • Contribute to the evaluation of the ITCP through monitoring and updating the National Safe Babies database with training and technical assistance information, tracking trends of state and site level data and sharing observations of lessons learned in the planning and delivery of technical assistance.
  • Perform other duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the Infant Toddler Court Program.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

  • Eight years of documented professional experience focusing on services for young children and families and systems level collaboration across prevention and promotion systems focused on families that experience hardship and stress.
  • Knowledge and experience with state policy/financing/system levers impacting Child Welfare and Juvenile Dependency/Neglect Court practices.
  • Deep understanding of state level cross sector collaborations and partnerships necessary to improve service quality, strengthen access equitable health care to support the well-being of very young children and their families.
  • Experience planning, coordinating, and providing technical assistance or coaching.
  • Excellent group facilitation and public speaking skills.
  • Excellent analytic and writing skills.
  • Strong project management skills, organization, and the ability to manage multiple responsibilities effectively.
  • Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work collaboratively with individuals representing a range of backgrounds and skill levels.
  • Comfortable working as a member of a remote team.
  • Self-motivated, ability to work as part of a team and independently.
  • Ability to travel, including occasional overnight stays.

EDUCATION

Master’s degree in public policy, social work, early childhood, or a related field required. Robust experience will be valued, considered, and accepted in place of academic credentials.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

This position's salary is estimated to be $100,000 to high $110,000s depending on experience, geo-location, budget, and other comparable and similarly scoped internal positions. In addition to salary, ZERO TO THREE offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, HRA, retirement contributions, generous leave benefits and more.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

While performing the responsibilities of the job, the employee is constantly required to use repetitive motion, finger dexterity as well as sufficient hand dexterity to use a computer keyboard and be capable of reading a computer screen. Also, may need to remain seated for long periods of time, can perform repetitive motions, and hear well enough to detect nuances and receive detailed information. The employee may be required to walk, grasp objects, push or pull objects, bend, squat, reach, stand, or kneel. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision for preparing and analyzing data.

 

ESSENTIAL QUALITIES

  • Encourages and practices critical thinking
  • Is self-reflective and empathic
  • Recognizes the influence of workplace relationships on outcomes and results
  • Maintains a respectful and accepting approach to others
  • Awareness of the influence of the larger context on individual behavior
  • Collaboratively and creatively supports the work efforts of colleagues at all levels and in all areas of the organization

 

WORKING CONDITIONS

The work conditions described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing this job. Depending on work location, the incumbent will typically work indoors in a heated and air-conditioned office, with a mixture of natural, incandescent, and fluorescent light with low to moderate noise levels or be subject to working conditions conducive to a home environment. When travel is expected, the incumbent will be exposed to outside environmental conditions during those times.

ZERO TO THREE is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities, Women, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.

Due to the high volume of applications, we are not able to provide individual feedback to candidates regarding the status of their application. If selected to move forward in the process, someone from the hiring team will contact you regarding next steps. 

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