DEPT OF HEALTH SERVICES

Address:

150 North 18th Avenue
Phoenix, Arizona 85007

Salary: $61,798.00 - $63,034.00

Grade: 21

 This Posting is for Current Internal ADHS Applicants ONLY.

The Early Care and Education (ECE) Systems Specialist will support the AZ Health Zone SNAP-Ed program by leading the integration of trauma-informed approaches and community engagement into the ECE focus area. This role will plan and implement ECE goals and objectives that advance policy, systems, and environmental change initiatives in collaboration with Arizona ECE providers.

The Specialist will facilitate the development of implementation resources, guidance documents, and other materials in partnership with both local and statewide stakeholders, ensuring all resources are developed through a trauma-aware lens and reflect Arizona’s unique context.
Key responsibilities include writing and managing contracts related to ECE training and support, and working closely with contracted local implementing agencies to review and approve action plans and budgets.

The Specialist will also provide technical assistance, conduct site visits across Arizona, deliver training, and facilitate and convene committees and workgroups to tailor program delivery to both rural and urban communities.

This position requires staying current on relevant child care and SNAP-Ed policies and regulations, interpreting their impact, and translating this knowledge into clear guidance and resources for program staff and partners.

The ECE Systems Specialist will also build capacity among stakeholders around nutrition and food access, farm to ECE initiatives, child nutrition programs, learning collaboratives, and physical activity integration. The role includes representing AZ Health Zone ECE work among state and local partners such as the Empower Advisory Committee, the Early Childhood Nutrition Policy Team, the Go NAPSACC State Administrative Team, and other statewide and national groups to share insights and promote best practices in ECE systems change.

This position is hybrid and works remotely but will also require attendance at in person meetings and professional development. Work is required to perform work at/attend meetings at alternate locations and/or travel when necessary.

Responsible for the planning, development, and coordination/implementation of comprehensive policy, systems, and environmental change strategies with a trauma informed lens related to early care and education systems goals and objectives.

Establishes and directs the AZ Health Zone early care and education goals and objectives. Builds capacity through developing and administering trainings, workshops, committees, and conference sessions related to early care and education, community engagement, and trauma informed approaches.

Manages contracts and Local Implementing Agency action plans. Leads 3-4 local agencies in Arizona by having consistent communication, building relationships, providing technical assistance, and thoroughly reviewing qualitative/quantitative reports.

Interprets rules, regulations, and national and state policies. Updates state policies as needed. Provides technical assistance and leadership to Local Implementing Agencies, community partners and stakeholders around early care and education systems.

Interprets data to inform decision making. Provides Local Implementing Agencies support and technical assistance to accurately report activities and expand/enhance their programming.

Serves on or leads state committees that impact early care and education program implementation and coordinates statewide projects that will impact the Empower policy, nutrition feeding practices, the physical activity environment, learning collaboratives and community coordination.

Other duties as assigned as related to the position (typically 5% - 10%)

Knowledge of:
-Evidence-based strategies and best practices for improving Early Care and Education systems in Arizona.
-Empower Standards.
-Learning collaborative models.
-Current CACFP, First Things First, Quality First guidelines, recommendations, and best practices.
- Trauma Informed and Community Engagement Practices in regards to the early care and education environment.
- Broad knowledge of community programs supporting early care and education.
- Emerging trends in implementation of early care and education practices.
- Broad knowledge of importance of nutrition and physical activity in a communities wellbeing.
- Curriculum and activities that support nutrition and movement to meet trauma informed and the Language of Health Style Guide.
- Program planning and management.
- Creating goals, SMAART objectives, and strategies to develop a population based state plan.
- Federal and state rules and regulations to ensure program compliance.
- Performance Management (PM), and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) and Lean methodologies.

Skill in:
-Translating public health early care and education standards for use in state and local programming
-Writing, public speaking, and MS Office
-Problem-solving, strategic thinking, negotiation, and sound judgment
-Planning and executing projects and programs
-Prioritizing project tasks
-Data Management, data collection, analysis and interpretation and technical report writing.
-Report preparation and record keeping
- Virtual and in-person settings.

Ability to:
- Communicate and collaborate with people of diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities.
- Prioritize and work with minimal supervision.
- Travel to various locations for meetings, technical assistance, presentations, and events.
-Facilitate large and small committees and meetings.
- Establish and maintain good working relationships with local, state, and federal officials, community representatives, and other departmental administrators.
- Organize and coordinate multiple projects on tight deadlines.
-Interpret data to influence decision making and provide technical support.
- Support a diverse multi-cultural workforce that reflects the community, promotes equal opportunity at all levels of public employment, and creates an inclusive work environment that enables all individuals to perform to their fullest potential free from discrimination.

Bachelor's degree in public health, early care and education or related field with 3 years of professional experience related to health programs to include program planning and management. Master's degree in a related field may substitute for 1 year of professional experience.

Employees who drive on state business require possession of and the ability to retain a current, valid state-issued driver’s license appropriate to the assignment. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver’s license checks, must maintain acceptable driving records and must complete any driver training (See Arizona Administrative Code R2-10-207.11).

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The State of Arizona provides an excellent comprehensive benefits package including:
− Affordable medical and dental insurance plans
− Paid vacation and sick time
− Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
− 10 paid holidays per year
− Wellness program and plans
− Life insurance
− Short/long-term disability insurance
− Defined retirement plan
− Award winning Infant at Work program
− Credit union membership
− Transit subsidy
− ADHS Student Assistance Pilot Program

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

- To help you build a financially secure future, the State makes monthly contributions to finance your retirement benefit. The State will make a contribution to the ASRS in an amount equal to your contribution. In other words, you and the State will each pay 50% of the total cost of the benefit. New State employees have a 27 week wait period for contributions to begin.

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by emailing us at Miriam.Sheffield@azdhs.gov. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation. DHS is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All newly hired employees will be subject to E-Verify Employment Eligibility Verification.