Sr. Technical Assistance Specialist, IECMH

The Senior Technical Assistance (TA) Specialist, IECMH will serve as a subject matter expert on policy/system strategies to advance a robust continuum of high-quality mental health supports and services for children age 0-5 and their caregivers, contributing to development and implementation of ZTT’s policy priorities and strategy in perinatal, infant, and early childhood mental and relational health and related areas. The Senior TA Specialist will provide relationship-based technical assistance to states, tribes, territories, and communities (e.g. government agency staff, policymakers, advocates, coalitions, etc.) to assist in making improvements to policies and systems to better support infants, toddlers and their families; conduct research and develop written materials for a variety of audiences; track and analyze promising policy/system initiatives for mental health financing and infrastructure and policy/system changes at the state and federal levels; facilitate cross-state learning opportunities; facilitate alignment between local, state and national policy; and contribute to the overall work of the Policy Center.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as a subject matter expert on policy and systems change related to perinatal, infant, and early childhood mental and relational health, contributing to ZERO TO THREE’s efforts to support policy change in these areas.
•  Provide relationship-based technical assistance and consulting (virtual and in-person) to states and communities (e.g. coalitions, policymakers, advocates, government agency staff, public-private teams, etc.) to improve policies and systems to better support infants, toddlers and their families, including through ZERO TO THREE’s Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Financing Policy Project.
• Stay abreast of and conduct research and analysis of policy, system and funding approaches to improve outcomes for infants, young children and their caregivers – with a focus on perinatal, infant, and early childhood mental health policy and financing.
• Develop and strengthen relationships with, and foster relationships between leaders in states, tribes, territories, and partner organizations to advance systems collaboration across states and nationally.
• Plan and facilitate cross-state/national meetings, webinars, conference calls, communities of practice, peer learning opportunities and other mechanisms for states, tribes, and territories to advance their policy and systems work through networking and cross-state learning.
• Participate in event planning and resource development to support learning and policy/systems advancement.
• Develop written materials such as policy briefs, articles highlighting innovative policy approaches, and technical assistance tools and resources for state/national audiences.
•  Facilitate communication between local, state and federal policy teams to inform national policy priorities and support states and local jurisdictions to engage in federal education/advocacy.
• Contribute to cross-team Policy Center and ZERO TO THREE organizational initiatives to strengthen connections and alignment between state, tribal, federal, and advocacy efforts.
• Garner visibility for ZERO TO THREE and IECMH policy issues through presentations at conferences and meetings.
• Contribute to grant proposals, data gathering and reports to funders.
• Perform other duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and

ESSENTIAL SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of ten years relevant work experience.
• Extensive knowledge and experience in perinatal, infant, and early childhood mental health systems and policy.
•  Excellent self-reflective skills and capacity.
•  Deep knowledge of behavioral health and early childhood systems financing.
• Resilient intrapersonal and interpersonal skills, including the ability to work collaboratively with individuals representing a range of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and skill levels.
• Experience working at a state level or working with states at a national level on policies and systems.
•  Experience planning, coordinating, and providing technical assistance, consulting, coaching and/or training to diverse audiences.
• Excellent group facilitation and public speaking skills.
• Excellent communication, analytic and writing skills.
• Ability to take initiative, work proactively, and manage multiple responsibilities efficiently.
• Ability to listen attentively to verbal and non-verbal cues, (virtually and in person) that lead to deeper reflection and understanding.
• Practices and encourages reflective, critical, and strategic thinking.
• Recognizes the influence of workplace relationships on impacts, outcomes and results.
• Maintains a respectful and accepting approach to others.
• Collaboratively supports the work efforts of colleagues at all levels and in all areas of the organization.
• Curious and interested in exploring creative ways of approaching situations and opportunities.
• Self-motivated, able to work as part of a team and independently.
• Comfortable working as a member of a remote team.
•  Experience with receiving and/or providing Reflective Supervision/Consultation preferred.
• Ability to travel, including occasional overnight stays.

EDUCATION

Bachelor’s degree in public policy, psychology, social work, or a related field required; Master’s degree preferred. IECMH Endorsement preferred.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

This position's salary is estimated to be low $90,000s to low $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 frequently required to use finger dexterity and sufficient hand dexterity to use a computer keyboard and be capable of reading a computer screen. Also, they may need to remain seated for extended periods, can perform repetitive motions, and reach for objects. An employee is frequently required to hold a writing instrument, communicate verbally, and hear well enough to detect nuances and receive detailed information. They may be required to grasp objects, push, and pull objects, bend, stand, walk, squat, or kneel. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision for data preparation or analysis, and expansive reading. May need to lift up to 30 pounds.