Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: National/Federal Level

 Three national/federal organizations or communities of practice that appealed to me are the following:

 

1. Children’s Defense Fund. (DCF). https://www.childrensdefense.org/. The Children’s Defense Fund Leave No Child Behind mission is to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start, a Moral Start in life, and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities. (Children’s defense fund, 2020). 

2. National Child Care Association. (NCCA).  https://nieer.org/. The NCCA is a voice and a resource for licensed childcare providers to make sure all children get the care and education that they deserve. (NCCA, 2021). 

3. The Pew Charitable Trusts. (PEW). Pre-K education. https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/topics/us-state-policy. State lawmakers play a major role in advancing the quality of Americans’ lives, from helping to protect the air we breathe and water we drink, to educating our children. By researching emerging topics and developing 50-state comparisons, Pew identifies innovative approaches states are using to help solve complex challenges. Pew also conducts extensive research and analysis to understand how states can better serve the public, and we work with states to develop data-driven, pragmatic solutions to issues such as dental health, the growing costs of incarceration, the need for cost-effective public pensions, protecting coastal habitats, and reducing flood risk. (PEW, 2011). 

 

           I chose these three because they work interchangeably. The Pew Charitable Trusts (PEW) and the National Child Care Association (NCCA) work together to confirm the best practices for early childcare and PreK settings. The Children’s Defense Fund (DCF) then aids in helping to execute early childcare and PreK best practices set by PEW and NCCA.

           The Pew Charitable Trusts. (PEW) has a list of job opportunities of interest available such as:

• Public policy research and advocacy
• Program strategy and evaluation
• Government relations
• Communications
• Fundraising/donor relations
• Human Resources
• Administration

 

The majority of the positions mentioned above are only available in the US-DC-Washington area. Since the pandemic, I hope they now see positions can be filled by anyone in the nation that does not necessarily reside in the immediate area. Meetings can be on zoom, and work can now be done from home, minimizing the cost needed to obtain office space. It will open doors to the entire nation for further research of early childcare education and philanthropy. The majority of the positions available asked for a Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent experience required advanced degree preferred. I am hopeful that acquiring my Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education/Administration will allow me to obtain a top-level position. Some requirements for these positions are, 

• the ability to perform proficient Microsoft applications,
•  manage multiple projects simultaneously,
•  and the ability to work collaboratively and communicate effectively with all levels of staff and leadership. (https://jobs-pct.icims.com/jobs/6408/officer%2c-human-resources-business-partner/job). 

    At present, I have the qualifications to fulfill each of these positions. Due to the pandemic, I would love to see the revised version of open positions regarding travel. Currently, they have; this position requires occasional travel to develop and manage partnerships, attend conferences and meetings, and perform other business (PEW, 2020).  

    I look forward to venturing out into the working field to see what employment endeavors are available to obtain.  

 

Resources

 

Children’s Defense Fund (CDF). (2020). Leave No Child Behind.

            https://www.childrensdefense.org/

 

National Child Care Association (NCCA). (2021). Empowering Child Care Providers

            https://nationalchildcare.org/

 

The PEW Charitable Trusts. (2020). Pre-K education. Pre-K Now.

            https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/projects/archived-projects/pre-k-now

 

            https://act.pewtrusts.org/yyBKqqM?_ga=2.37962659.1447055002.1617491600-376303908.1617491600

 

The Pew Center on the States. (2011). U.S. State Policy.

            https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/topics/us-state-policy

            https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/projects?status=active&sortBy=relevance&sortOrder=asc&page=1

            https://jobs-pct.icims.com/jobs/6408/officer%2c-human-resources-business-partner/job