Federal Organizations

On the Federal Level there are so many organizations that help promote children, early learning and equity. One thing that I look for in an organization is the amount of money that is actually used to provide service and how much is used for administrative tasks.
After researching this aspect I found SAVE THE CHILDREN. The leader for this nonprofit is amazing. She has a professional blog that was very inspiring to me .The following is taken from the website:

Save the Children has a proven track record of using donations efficiently and effectively. From school children who send their allowance for relief efforts to the largest philanthropic donors, we cherish all of our supporters. You can be assured that Save the Children uses the valuable resources donors have provided in the most cost-effective ways possible.

Our independently audited financial statements consistently show that nearly 9 out of every 10 dollars we spend goes to programs and services for children and families in need.

This type of commitment resonates with me. The ability to shape policies that promote the wellbeing of children is exciting. The following position is available in Washington DC.

Director, Government Relations, State ECE
Location:	US - DC - DC Home Office
Division.:	Save the Children Action Network
Description
Employee Type :    Full-time Regular Summary The Director of Government Relations (GR), State Early Childhood Education (ECE) will manage the overall state and local ECE issue portfolio identifying opportunities to advance ECE legislative initiatives.  He/she will develop and manage relationships at the state level with the state legislature, Governor’s office and organizations that align with SCAN’s ECE priorities.  The Director will develop legislative strategy and oversee tactical implementation of ECE legislative initiatives.  He/she will hire and manage state lobbyists in SCAN target states.  The Director will work closely with the Director of GR, Federal ECE, other SCAN departments and Save the Children’s United States Programs (USP). Essential Duties, Responsibilities and Impact Manage ECE Issue Portfolio & Develop Strategy (35%) The Director will manage the ECE state issue portfolio in the SCAN target states identifying legislation to advance ECE priorities. He/she will develop legislative and funding strategies in coordination with the Senior Director of GR to advance SCAN priorities. The Director will work in conjunction with existing ECE Coalitions and feed into their strategies when aligned with SCAN’s priorities. Develop, Maintain & Manage External Relationships (30%) The Director will develop, maintain and manage bipartisan and bicameral relationships on in the state legislature with a focus on key committees of jurisdiction and members in leadership. This also includes relationships with the Governor’s office and relevant agencies along with the ECE advocacy community. He/she will be SCAN’s primary point of contact for ECE state policy. Develop Advocacy & Educational Initiatives (15%) The Director will spearhead and develop initiatives with strategic partners, when appropriate, to educate our state legislatures targets and the Governor’s office on our ECE legislative policy. This includes but is not limited to sharing SCAN’s policy positions and Save the Children’s reports through holding briefings. In doing so, SCAN will be positioned as a strong advocate and thought leader in the ECE space on the state level. Internal Coordination with SCAN & USP (15%) The Director will work closely with the Director of GR, Federal ECE to ensure federal and state strategy are coordinated and appropriately aligned. He/she will work with the Mobilization team to identify where there is a need to generate grassroots and grasstops support for influencing federal policy. He/she will work with the communications team to determine how best to influence key federal decision makers through communication tactics. The Director will work with the political team to identify possible state targets to either support or oppose based on their ECE record. He/she will communicate SCAN’s ECE state initiatives to USP and work together when priorities are aligned. Monitoring, Accountability & Administrative (5%) The Director will monitor achievement of predetermined objectives, grant responsibilities, including contributing to reporting, expenditure and administration. Required Background and Experience, Skills and Behaviors Bachelors degree required, Master’s Degree preferred  Minimum 10 years professional experience, with at least four years of demonstrated leadership in advocating at the state and local levels. Strong familiarity with the state legislative process, including both authorizations and appropriations processes and a demonstrated track record of legislative successes (bills passed, budgets increased, etc.) Established networks and contacts within governmental and nongovernmental ECE policy circles. Experience working in a campaign or initiative a plus. Save the Children is the leading independent organization for children in need, with programs in over 120 countries, including the United States. We aim to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children, and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives by improving their health, education and economic opportunities. In times of acute crisis, we mobilize rapid assistance to help children recover from the effects of war, conflict and natural disasters. Each year, we and our partners reach millions of children in communities around the world. Our dedicated and diverse staff work hard to improve the well-being of children everywhere. Save the Children provides an attractive benefits package including competitive salaries, a matching retirement plan, health and welfare benefits, life insurance, an employee assistance program, generous time off and much more. We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, ancestry, sexual orientation, national origin, age, handicap, disability, marital status, or status as a veteran. Save the Children complies with all applicable laws. I included the whole job description in case anyone was interested in this.You would need a good understanding of policy and legislation. As a leader in the field, passion would fuel your work. You would need a professional, articulate presence.  The other Federal organization is Child Care Aware. This is also has state branches. There are many Executive Director positions. This would be a great job because you can be a visionary and see things come to fruition. You would have to be a strong collaborator. You would need to have a strong presence and be able to speak extemporaneously. You would also need a broad understanding of the childcare licensing of that state. It would be a huge job but very rewarding.  Their mission is one that resonates with me.  The third is NAEYC. This is the cream of the crop organization to work with in the area of ECE. The reason this resonates with me is that their mission is to bring our work together as a clearinghouse for information.  This environment would be very professional. I would love to be around a community of practice, on a daily basis, that wanted the same thing.  The job that sounds very exciting is one that I couldn't do presently due to family commitments but I would love working at this level in the organization. I have included the description below: Academy   NAEYC Academy for Early Childhood Program Accreditation   Senior Director, Higher Education Accreditation and Support   NAEYC seeks an effective leader with proven success in accreditation and early childhood higher education or professional development systems. The Senior Director is responsible for directing, leading, and managing NAEYC’s efforts related to the accreditation of early childhood education degree programs in institutions of higher education that lead to an associate, baccalaureate, or advanced degree. The primary focus of this position is to ensure the effective overall functioning of the NAEYC Early Childhood Associate Degree Accreditation (ECADA) system as well as NAEYC’s role as a Specialized Professional Association (SPA) within the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (previously National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education) system. Framed around the NAEYC Standards for Early Childhood Professional Preparation, these systems are designed to support quality assurance and improvement in higher education programs that prepare early childhood professionals. The Senior Director, working collaboratively within the overall NAEYC staff structure, leads a team of approximately 4 people. Through strong leadership and effective management, the Senior Director: Maintains NAEYC higher education accreditation systems as standard-bearers in early childhood professional preparation, reflecting current evidence from research and practice. Ensures that NAEYC higher education accreditation systems are rigorous; aligned with best practices as described by the U.S. Department of Education and Council for Higher Education Accreditation; and able to provide a valid and objective external evaluation of eligible degree programs as a service to the public, to prospective students, and to the profession. Serves as the ex-officio member of the Commission on Early Childhood Associate Degree Accreditation (ECADA Commission) which is delegated authority by the NAEYC Governing Board to ensure the equity, integrity, and accountability of the ECADA system. Works in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, including NAEYC staff, NAEYC peer reviewers, ECADA Commission members, NAEYC Audit Team members, and representatives from national/local organizations to make NAEYC higher education accreditation systems critical components of state and national professional development systems.  Strengthens the accreditation systems by continuously evaluating impact and enhancing the accreditation processes, materials, and resources. Ensures mission-focused, cost-effective day-to-day operations of NAEYC’s higher education accreditation systems, through supervising and mentoring staff, fiscal management (e.g. developing and monitoring budgets, contract management), planning, and execution.  Requirements: Minimum of a Master’s degree in human services management, early childhood education, child development, instructional design, adult learning, education policy, higher education administration, or a related field. 5 years of experience in accreditation systems and higher education or professional development systems; at least 3 years with significant supervisory/management responsibility. Knowledge of higher education accreditation systems, higher education systems, and/or state professional development systems and their connection to ECE professional preparation Knowledge of early childhood education or child development. Knowledge of current issues and key stakeholders in the early childhood education field, particularly as they relate to the early childhood workforce. Experience in public speaking, developing, and presenting material to a national professional audience, and facilitating group processes. Ability to travel. Salary commensurate with knowledge and experience; excellent benefits. Position is based at the NAEYC headquarters located in Washington, DC. To Apply:  Submit cover letter, resume, and three professional references to SD-HEAS/HR, NAEYC, 1313 L Street, NW, #500, Washington, DC  20005 via e-mail to hr@naeyc.org or fax (202) 328-1846. The need for a professional, articulate presence would be important as well as understanding a broad spectrum of topics in the ECE field. This key person would make sure that programs in higher education align with NAEYC standards!! Exciting!!!! I want to do them all!!                                                                                        References www.naeyc.org www.childcareaware.org www.savethechildren.org