Sr. Professional Development Specialist

ABOUT ZERO TO THREE

Founded in 1977, ZERO TO THREE works to ensure that babies and toddlers benefit from the early connections that are critical to their well-being and development. Our mission is to ensure that all babies and toddlers have a strong start in life. At ZERO TO THREE, we envision a society with the knowledge and will to support all infants and toddlers in reaching their full potential. Our Core Values Statement: We believe that how we do our work is as important as what we do. To learn more about ZERO TO THREE, please visit our website at zerotothree.org.

SUMMARY

The Senior Professional Development Specialist, IECMH, is part of ZERO TO THREE’s Professional Innovations team within the Communication, Marketing, and Professional Innovations (CMP) Division. Working closely with and supervised by the Senior Professional Development Manager, IECMH, this position supports the implementation, delivery, and continuous improvement of the organization’s professional development portfolio focused on infant and early childhood mental health. The position has primary responsibility for coordinating the DC:0-5™ professional development portfolio, including professional learning, Trainer Certification, faculty consultant support, and implementation resources. The position collaborates across the organization and travels nationally to deliver professional development and represent ZERO TO THREE at meetings, conferences, and other professional events.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support implementation and ongoing maintenance of the DC:0-5™ professional development portfolio in alignment with established strategic plans, including professional learning products, Trainer Certification, and implementation resources.
• Coordinate day-to-day implementation activities related to DC:0-5™ professional learning offerings, working closely with the Senior Professional Development Manager to ensure timely, high-quality execution.
• Lead, co-lead, and support delivery of research-based and evidence-informed DC:0-5™ and other IECMH professional learning offerings across multiple learning modalities.
• Provide day-to-day coordination and operational support for the DC:0-5™ Trainer Certification system, including communications, participant support, logistics, implementation resources, and record maintenance.
• Coordinate and support DC:0-5™ and other IECMH faculty consultants, including onboarding, communications, scheduling, resource development, and ongoing engagement.
• Maintain and update professional learning materials, trainer resources, implementation tools, and supporting documentation to ensure alignment with current content and organizational standards.
• Stay current with emerging research and promising practices related to infant and early childhood mental health, adult learning, workforce development, and implementation to support professional learning delivery and continuous quality improvement.
• Contribute to continuous quality improvement through the collection, analysis, and synthesis of participant, trainer, and implementation data, providing recommendations to strengthen professional learning products and services.
• Collaborate with colleagues across CMP and the broader organization to support coordinated planning, communication, implementation, and delivery of professional learning initiatives.
• Travel nationally, as required, to deliver professional development and represent ZERO TO THREE at meetings, conferences, and other professional events.
• Performs other duties as assigned to ensure the efficient and effective functioning of Professional Innovations.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in infant and early childhood mental health, including direct clinical experience.
• Current DC:0-5™ Certified Trainer credential preferred. Candidates who are certification-ready and able to successfully complete the DC:0-5™ Trainer Certification process within six (6) months of hire will also be considered.
• Demonstrated success designing and/or delivering high-quality professional learning across multiple modalities, including in-person and virtual environments.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate engaging, learner-centered professional development for diverse adult audiences.
• Strong knowledge of infant and early childhood mental health, child development, relationship-based practice, application of the DC:0-5™ diagnostic system, and family-centered approaches.
• Knowledge of adult learning principles, professional development design and delivery, and current research and promising practices related to workforce development.
• Strong organizational and project coordination skills, with exceptional attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities and timelines.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to build and maintain productive working relationships with internal and external partners.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining high standards for quality, accuracy, and customer service.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently while collaborating effectively as part of cross-functional teams.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, project management and collaboration platforms, virtual meeting technologies, learning management systems and e-learning platforms, and other technologies used to support professional learning and program implementation.
• Ability and willingness to travel nationally on a regular basis.

EDUCATION

Master’s degree or higher in infant and early childhood mental health, psychology, social work, counseling, medicine, or a closely related field; current board certification, active clinical license, or equivalent professional credential recognized in the jurisdiction of employment; a minimum of three (3) years of IECMH clinical experience serving children from birth through age five and their families; and a minimum of three (3) years of experience providing professional development to practitioners responsible for assessment, diagnosis, or treatment planning.

Equivalent international credentials and comparable combinations of education, clinical preparation, and directly related professional experience may be considered, provided the candidate demonstrates the qualifications necessary to deliver DC:0-5™ professional development and meets applicable professional and regulatory requirements.

Preferred Qualifications: 

Advanced training, certification, or specialization in IECMH and experience developing and delivering training, consultation, coaching, or reflective practice opportunities for multidisciplinary professionals.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

This position's salary is estimated to be low $80,000s to high $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.

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.

ESSENTIAL QUALITIES

• 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

WORKING CONDITIONS

The work conditions described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing this job. Depending on work location, the incumbent will typically work indoors in a heated and air-conditioned office, with a mixture of natural, incandescent, and fluorescent light with low to moderate noise levels or be subject to working conditions conducive to a home environment. When travel is expected, the incumbent will be exposed to outside environmental conditions during those times.

ZERO TO THREE is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities, Women, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.

Due to the high volume of applications, we are not able to provide individual feedback to candidates regarding the status of their application. If selected to move forward in the process, someone from the hiring team will contact you regarding next steps.