BCT Partners – Head Start Program Specialist

BCT Partners•Denver, CO

12d•Onsite

About The Position

BCT Partners is seeking qualified candidates for an active opening on our team. This position is associated with an immediate hiring need, and we are actively evaluating candidates for hire. Applicants selected to move forward can expect to participate in our standard recruiting process, including interviews with the hiring team. If selected, the successful candidate may receive a formal employment offer based on the requirements and timing associated with this position. We encourage individuals who are excited about making a meaningful impact through their work to apply. This role is onsite Monday through Friday, and candidates must reside within commuting distance of Denver, Colorado. Program Specialists perform functions related to the award, oversight and programmatic administration of discretionary grants funded through the Office of Head Start (OHS). These functions provide necessary support to the client’s staff in managing Head Start and Early Head Start grant programs. They include the review and analysis of applications, reports and other documents; providing accurate and timely guidance to recipients; and conducting site visits. Program Specialists also support Head Start recipients in improving their performance, which includes performing activities related to identifying and mitigating recipient risk factors, compliance issue corrections, and school readiness & program goal analyses. Program Specialists must be able to effectively communicate in writing and speaking with client staff, external partners and contracts, Head Start program governing bodies and executive management.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university or college, preferably in education, early childhood education, program design and management or related fields
At least 3 years of relevant progressive professional experience supporting and/or managing programs; preferably early education programs, though Head Start and Early Head Start experience is not required; grants management experience also a plus.
Demonstrated ability to aggregate, analyze and present data gathered from multiple sources.
Knowledge of the federal grant guidelines and the Federal Grant Life Cycle are desired.
Strong organizational, administrative and project coordination skills, and the ability to effectively manage multiple priorities.
Strong interpersonal skills, with the proven ability to collaborate and build relationships with staff, clients, remote colleagues and supervisors, and others.
Proven ability to effectively communicate (when speaking and writing), exercise sound judgment, ask questions and be open to the input and decisions of others.
Able to, both independently and collaboratively, solve problems, make decisions and support change.
Computer, Internet and general proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Word and PowerPoint; demonstrated proficiency in utilizing a variety of web-based and off-the-shelf data management software packages.

Nice To Haves

master’s degree a plus
Head Start and Early Head Start experience is not required
grants management experience also a plus

Responsibilities

Accurate and timely analysis and review of funding applications according to established Regional Office timeframes and procedures.
Review and analysis of recipient program performance reports, Incident reports and complaints, information, and indicators.
Provision of accurate and timely regulatory and policy guidance to Head Start recipients, in consultation with federal staff.
Coordinate and incorporate Regional Management (RPM & SPS), TTA (Training & Technical Assistance), and Grants Specialist staff on all recipient case work.
Review and analysis of recipient waiver requests.
Review and analysis of applications for facility construction, purchase and major renovation.
Participate in all required Regional meetings and conferences.
Complete all required HHS and BCT Trainings.
Conduct monthly calls with recipients and Regional Grants Specialists covering the topics: Checkpoint Data, Self-Assessment, Enrollment, Staff Salaries and Retention, Community Assessments, Continuous Improvements, Transitions and other recipient specific topics.
Participate in FA2/RAN review phone calls & initiate Discipline Incident Reports
Assist recipients with knowledge and understanding of HSES (Head Start Enterprise System)
Process the following requests: Annual Continuations, Key Hires, Waivers (Disability, Non-Federal Share & Teacher), Change of Scopes, COLA/Quality, Deviations, Carry-Overs, Incremental Funding, Slot Reductions & Budget Revisions
Conduct annual site visits to recipients as part of the five-year monitoring cycle for grant oversight according to Regional Office protocols.
Activities related to the identification and mitigation of recipient risk factors, correction of regulatory compliance issues, review and analysis of school readiness and programmatic goals; and improvement of Head Start recipient performance.
Grant Applications and Awards: complete review, analysis, and administrative activities related to the OHS grant funding application and award process, including but not limited to comprehensive programmatic and cost review of funding applications, completion of follow up contact with recipients and/or applicants to obtain required information, and completion of all administrative activities related to the grant awards process.
Program Performance and Monitoring: provide support services related to the programmatic administration of Head Start and Early Head Start grants through activities related to supporting the OHS goals and objectives to improve accountability, school readiness and program performance for Head Start grants and provide effective guidance, technical assistance and direction to recipients in implementing Head Start programs.
Coordination and Collaboration: perform activities to improve and promote coordination and collaboration between OHS and internal and external parties, including but not limited to reviewing, developing and documenting accurate and timely responses and resolutions to external inquiries and complaints; participate in meetings at Federal, State and local levels to improve and promote partnerships, collaboration and coordination among a variety of entities that support the OHS and ACF mission, goals, strategies and initiatives.
Competitive Grant Process and Paneling: provide support tasks related to the competitive grant process and participate as Panel Monitors in support of competitive grant application reviews.