Sr. Writer and Training Specialist

This role has a heavy emphasis on infant and early childhood mental health topics including the impact of trauma on young children; protective factors framework - military (PFF-M); perinatal mood and anxiety disorders in military communities; supporting parent-child interactions and developing attachment. This role is responsible for collaborating with partnering organizations and military sites to identify training topics of relevance to participants; develop aligned and engaging training experiences (online or in person) to communicate learning objectives; and plan learning experiences that entail, in part, developing a topical agenda and identifying subject matter experts/speakers.

Military Family Projects is working across multiple projects and initiatives to serve military-connected infants/toddlers and their families. These initiatives include supporting the professional development of New Parent Support Home Visitors, Child and Youth Staff, Exceptional Family Member Program Staff, and Military Family Life Counselors by creating digital resources and on-line learning opportunities, coordinating professional development conferences with invited subject matter experts and delivering training/technical support to the multidisciplinary professionals supporting military-connected infants and toddlers, along with their caregivers. Additional tasks relevant to other Military Family Projects initiatives may be assigned as time and funding allows.

• Research the most current and relevant research/evidence on topics of importance to military-connected families such as parental separation, reunification, impact of trauma, resilience, social-emotional development, and more to inform resource development for families and professionals,
• Develop engaging training/professional development activities (online or in person), reflecting adult learning principles and designed to support mastery of articulated objectives
• Deliver technical assistance to Military Family Life Counselors, New Parent Support Program Staff, Family Advocacy Staff, and Command Team and CCR personnel on topics related to early development; parent growth and development; IECMH, or related topics;
• Exhibit a consultative and problem-solving stance with stakeholders to assess needs for training and technical assistance;
• Ensure all training for military professionals complies with Department of Defense policies and procedures.
• Collaborate with the Director of Military Family Projects, or other Military Family Projects staff, to ensure topics, scheduling, and content of trainings and resource material developed are aligned with project goals and requirements.
• Manage multiple projects to stated timelines and to a high-quality standard, as established in the approved work plan;
• Plan online and in-person learning events including scheduling; topic selection; speaker/subject matter expert selection, and evaluation. Assist with logistical coordination for bi-annual in-person conferences.
• Represent Military Family Projects @ ZERO TO THREE at various meetings and events as requested.
• Contribute to the overall vision and work of Military Family Projects @ ZERO TO THREE activities by participating in regular staff meetings.
• Perform other duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the project.

• Preferred: Experience in home visitation and/or direct services to young children and families.
• Preferred: Strong understanding of military/veteran programs, culture, and context.
• At least 3-5 years relevant experience in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH), early childhood education and development or social work field.
• At least 3-5 years relevant experience developing and delivering training/professional development to family-serving professionals, including social worker/IECMH audiences, in both virtual and in-person formats.
• Infant/toddler subject matter expertise, including knowledge of attachment and strategies to promote optimal parent-child relationships with working knowledge of parental engagement strategies. This role must possess knowledge of trauma, grief and loss in children, as well as an understanding of protective factors and strategies for preventing and mitigating child maltreatment.
• Possess knowledge of adult learning principles and skilled in communicating information to professionals in engaging ways.
• Effective technical assistance skills that reflect consultative principles of adult learning, leadership, reflective practice and team processing.
• Able to manage multiple projects at once.
• Skilled at collaboration and relationship-building internally/externally.
• Excellent conceptual, written and oral skills.
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills; successful experience working and communicating with diverse people.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple responsibilities effectively.
• Ability to work independently as well as within a team structure; ability to manage multiple tasks and be flexible.
• Ability to travel.

• Encourages and practices critical thinking
• Is self-reflective and empathic
• Recognizes the influence of workplace relationships on outcomes and results
• Maintains a respectful and accepting approach to others
• Awareness of the influence of the larger context on individual behavior
• Collaboratively and creatively supports the work efforts of colleagues at all levels and in all areas of the organization

Master's in social work or Master's in Early Childhood Education and Development, Family Sciences, or related field preferred.

This position's salary is estimated to be low $70,000s to mid $90,000s 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.

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.