Capacity Building Specialist (Early Education)

Employment Status: Contractor (temporary to potential permanent)

Reports to: Family & Engagement Coordinator

Counties/Cities: Caroline, Culpeper, City of Fredericksburg, King George, Loudoun, Fauquier, Manassas City, Manassas Park City, Prince William, Stafford, and Spotsylvania

Foundation First (FF) is an innovative, results-oriented agency that serves as a non-partisan steward and capacity builder for increasing quality, access, and affordability within the Ready Region North Central Area (RRNC). FF/RRNC forges public and private partnerships on the priorities to levels of coordination, accountability, and family engagement to early education programs in every community in the Commonwealth.

Position Summary

The Capacity Building Specialist will lead efforts to strengthen early childhood education (ECE) systems by expanding access to high-quality childcare, particularly in childcare deserts and under-resourced communities. This role focuses on building the capacity of early learning providers, local organizations, and policymakers to increase the availability of childcare slots and secure public funding to sustain and grow early childhood programs.

Core Functions of FF/Ready Region North Central

• Strengthening quality. We will ensure all components are in place to coordinate quality measurement and guide improvement in publicly funded classrooms as part of VQB5.
• Building relationships. We will engage with regional leaders to facilitate buy-in for shared accountability and benefit.
• Increasing access. We will build and strengthen better processes to help parents learn about and access ECCE programs in their community while helping ECCE providers connect with families.
• Engaging families. We will establish and strengthen strategies and structures to ensure family engagement.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership and direction for childcare capacity building and collaborate with Family & Engagement Coordinator on expansion of publicly funded childcare spaces
• Work with Coordinated Enrollment team to assist with capacity building and alignment of various types of childcare spaces.
• Create and assist in delivery of presentations on the economic impacts of childcare with business and community partners.
• Contribute to a development of a local dashboard of regional childcare capacity data
• Participate and support administration of the Foundation First Board of Directors in their efforts in communicating and sharing data updates and efforts within our region.
• Support strategic planning and implementation of initiatives that address childcare shortages.
• Assist providers in navigating funding opportunities (e.g., state and federal grants, mixed-delivery models, and public-private partnerships).
• Provide technical assistance and training to help new and existing providers meet licensing, quality, and sustainability requirements.
• Collaborate with local and state agencies to advocate for policies that improve access and affordability.
• Facilitate community engagement and partnerships to align childcare expansion efforts with family needs.
• Demonstrate adaptability by responding to evolving funding landscapes, policy changes, and shifting community needs, ensuring sustainable and flexible solutions for childcare expansion.

This position requires expertise in early childhood policy, funding strategies, and capacity-building. The ideal candidate will have strong project management skills, experience in expanding childcare infrastructure, and the ability to mobilize stakeholders to increase public investment in early learning. By addressing childcare deserts and advocating for sustainable funding, this role will play a crucial part in ensuring more families have access to high-quality early education opportunities.

Stakeholder Collaboration

• Partner with community task forces, family councils, superintendents, and local organizations to ensure that data stories align with community needs and initiatives.
• Present data findings and stories in meetings, conferences, and workshops to support grant requirements, funding proposals, and policy advocacy.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Public Policy, Communications, or related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• Experience: 2 years working in childcare field or public policy, systems building work
• Knowledge of types of childcare and various funding mechanisms
• Demonstrated ability to conceptualize and communicate ideas, plans and processes
• Ability to plan, implement and provide reporting on outcomes
• Ability to organize and manage multiple tasks
• Work within deadlines and prioritize work
• Excellent interpersonal and human relation skills
• Demonstrated ability to work with people with diverse backgrounds and adapt services accordingly

Key Competencies:

• Knowledge of public policy and systems change with understanding of factors impacting systems.
• Collaboration and Engagement: Comfortable working with diverse stakeholders, including community members, educators, and families.
• Demonstrating adaptability by responding to evolving funding landscapes, policy changes, and shifting community needs, ensuring sustainable and flexible solutions for childcare expansion
• Additional Duties as Required

To apply, send your cover letter & resume to [email protected]

Job Type: Contract

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Fredericksburg, VA 22407