Senior Principal Early Childhood Technical Assistance (TA) Specialist
SRI Education (https://www.sri.com/research-development/education-learning), a division of SRI International, is helping federal and state agencies, school districts, major foundations, nonprofit organizations, and international and commercial clients tackle some of the most complex issues in education to help students succeed. Our mission is to reduce barriers, optimize outcomes, and ensure educational equity for all children, youth, and families. We do this by conducting high-quality research, supporting use of data and evidence, helping to strengthen state and local systems, and developing tools that improve teaching and accelerate and deepen learning. Our work covers a range of topics: early learning and development, disability, and inclusion, supporting multilingual learners, student behavior and well-being, teaching quality, digital learning, STEM and computer science, and literacy and language arts, and college and career pathways. We believe diversity in our organization and project teams leads to better and more equitable research and technical assistance, resulting in improved outcomes for all.
SRI Education partners with policymakers, administrators, and educators to build their capacity to implement and use evidence-based early learning and development practices that promote equity and impacts for all young children and families. We provide technical assistance (TA) that addresses local education and human services priorities by conducting needs assessments, strategic planning, training, coaching, conferences, and communities of practice; developing toolkits, briefs, and other dissemination products; and providing analytic support.
We are seeking an experienced professional - Senior Principal Early Childhood Technical Assistance Director:
- Lead and manage large and complex TA projects that help state, local, and tribal leaders identify and implement comprehensive early childhood care and education (ECE) systems that promote equity and high-quality learning experiences for children with varying abilities and linguistic, racial, and ethnic backgrounds.
- Plan, design, and execute large state and national TA efforts to implement state early childhood comprehensive early childhood systems building and continuous improvement efforts, including improvements in mixed delivery systems, workforce supports and professional development, program quality, integrated data systems, ECE access and coordinated enrollment, family engagement, and equity.
- Develop comprehensive TA plans, including scaffolded activities that promote systems change and respond to the most critical needs of the field.
- Deliver capacity-building technical assistance, that leverages implementation science and adult learning principles.
- Build collaborations with other TA centers and other related organizations to maximize resources and better serve TA recipients.
- Represent SRI TA centers in national policy discussions, committees, and workgroups.
- Oversee the development of high-quality TA tools and products by helping with conceptualization, quality assurance, and dissemination.
- Support state and local leaders with data analysis, use, governance, and sharing.
- Oversee contract budgets, schedules, and deliverables.
- Develop new business opportunities that diversify client base and establish significant SRI leadership in the field.
- Assign, oversee, and mentor a team of TA providers and subject matter experts.
- The successful candidate will lead the development of TA projects, advising on project conceptualization, design, delivery, and dissemination, and will apply excellent interpersonal and communication skills with federal and state leaders, TA participants, clients, and colleagues inside and outside of SRI.
Candidates should have the following requirements:
- A doctorate degree in the early childhood education, human services, public policy administration, or social sciences such as psychology with a minimum of 8 years of related experience; or a master’s degree and 12 years of related experience.
- A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in research, technical assistance, and the workplace. An understanding about equity-based, anti-racist policies and practices.
- Knowledge of early childhood state systems and systems building, including governance, finance, data systems, workforce and PD, program access and quality, mixed delivery of programming, and child and family program and policies that serve children with disabilities, including IDEA (Part B 619 & Part C).
- Experience providing a range of TA activities/strategies/approaches to address the wide variety of TA needs (i.e., universal, targeted, and intensive) and adult learning principles.
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate and take individual responsibility to lead work to completion.
- Proven capabilities in writing well-structured, clear, and concise TA products, technical reports, and/or proposals.
- Research, professional, or volunteer experience with marginalized, diverse, and multi-lingual populations.
- Prior experience leading successful large projects and proposals (typically >$2 million) for state and/or federal agencies (e.g., Department of Education, the Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families and Office of Head Start), foundations, or commercial clients.
- Demonstrated leadership and management skills and methodological expertise in TA on large projects designed to advance educational equity for all, regardless of race/ethnicity, culture, language, family income, or location.
- In your cover letter, please include information about your training and experience in the relevant content, provision of technical assistance, development and/or implementation of federal or state ECE programs, and research experiences. Please note that candidates who proceed to the interview process will be asked to provide writing samples and a job talk.
- SRI International, an over 75-year strong pioneering research institute, has a rich history supporting government and industry. Our innovations have created new industries, billions of dollars in market value and lasting benefits to society. SRI is organized around broad disciplines and capabilities, with research and development divisions and labs to groups who excel at identifying new opportunities, developing products and creating custom solutions. Our organization is driven by impact - delivering unique solutions for the world's important challenges and transforming ideas into reality for clients and partners.
For Colorado and New York residents, the salary range is: $150,000 - $178,000. Salary ranges for this role will vary and are based on several factors, including geographic location, market competitiveness and equity amongst internal employees in similar roles. SRI has a competitive benefits package, to view details please go to: https://www.sri.com/resources/benefits/. SRI International, an over 75-year strong pioneering research institute, has a rich history supporting government and industry. Our innovations have created new industries, billions of dollars in market value and lasting benefits to society. SRI is organized around broad disciplines and capabilities, with research and development divisions and labs to groups who excel at identifying new opportunities, developing products and creating custom solutions. Our organization is driven by impact - delivering unique solutions for the world's important challenges and transforming ideas into reality for clients and partners.