Professional Development Coordinator, National Center on Head Start Early Learni

ICF is seeking an experienced early childhood professional to serve as the Professional Development (PD) Coordinator for the National Center on Head Start Early Learning, Health, and Family Engagement (ELHFE). This critical role provides strategic leadership and comprehensive operational oversight for the Center’s professional development initiatives. The PD Coordinator is responsible for ensuring the effective, coordinated, and high-quality delivery of training and technical assistance (TTA) across the domains of early learning, comprehensive health services, and family engagement.

The PD Coordinator provides direct supervision to three lead roles: the Early Learning PD Lead, Family Engagement PD Lead, and Health PD Lead. Each lead is responsible for overseeing PD Specialists who deliver training to OHS Regional TTA Specialists and facilitate professional development opportunities for recipients. The PD Coordinator ensures that all professional development activities reflect current research, demonstrate cultural and linguistic responsiveness, adhere to Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS), and comply with content requirements outlined by the Office of Head Start (OHS).

This position is also responsible for addressing both regional and national professional development needs. Key responsibilities include responding to OHS presentation requests, supporting Geo-Area TTA Team Annual Training Plans, coordinating national PD events, organizing topical learning series, and managing targeted capacity-building initiatives. The PD Coordinator collaborates closely with the Center’s leadership team and counterparts across other National Centers to maintain a unified and integrated TTA system.

This is a remote, home-based position requiring up to 25% travel for center events, partner meetings, conferences, and related activities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee Professional Development Strategy: Lead design, coordination, and execution of integrated PD initiatives across Early Learning, Family Engagement, and Health/Behavioral Health, ensuring responsiveness to adult learning principles, cultural and linguistic needs, and trauma-informed practices.
• Supervise PD Leads: Manage and support Early Learning, Family Engagement, and Health PD Leads and their teams to ensure cohesive and high-quality PD delivery.
• Align and Review PD Activities: Oversee PD delivery at all OHS tiers, including accessible offerings via headstart.gov, webinars, and national events, review and approve plans and materials for compliance with federal guidelines, and ensure offerings address the diverse needs of all program options and special populations.
• Facilitate Collaboration and Communication: Coordinate with Regional TTA Teams, participate in National Center–Regional TTA calls, and collaborate with IST and other National Centers for system-wide alignment and messaging consistency.
• Drive Continuous Improvement: Use data and feedback for rapid-cycle improvement, lead field testing of PD materials, and enhance offerings through national events and OHS platforms such as the iPD Portfolio, mobile apps, and the Head Start Coaching Companion, ensuring suitability for all staff levels and roles.
• Manage Operations and Staff Development: Direct project timelines and resources, contribute to reports for the federal client, and ensure ongoing training and coaching for PD staff.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, special education, public health, behavioral health, social work, family studies, or a related field.
• 8+ years of experience delivering or managing professional development or technical assistance within early learning systems or Head Start programs.
• 6+ years of supervisory or staff mentoring experience, with an emphasis on supporting performance growth, preferably across multiple content areas.
• Up to 5 years of Head Start Program Performance Standards knowledge, the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework (ELOF), the Parent, Family, and Community Engagement (PFCE) Framework, and comprehensive health services.
• Up to 5 years of expertise in adult learning theory and experience designing and delivering professional development at the national, regional, or state level for diverse early childhood audiences.
• Advanced level with Microsoft Office Suite, virtual meeting platforms, and project management tools such as Smartsheet is essential.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in early childhood education, special education, public health, behavioral health, social work, family studies, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience working with the Head Start TTA system.
• Experiencing supporting AIAN or MSHS programs.
• Experience coordinating professional development across multiple partner organizations.
• Familiarity with instructional design, adult learning theory, and quality practices for virtual training.
• Knowledge of Learning Management System (LMS) tools, mobile learning applications, and emerging educational technologies.

Working at ICF

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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:

$98,614.00 - $167,644.00Nationwide Remote Office (US99)

Originally posted on Himalayas