BCT Partners - Head Start Program Support Specialist

BCT Partners, LLC•,

5d•$60,000 - $65,000•Remote

About The Position

The Program Support Specialist plays a critical role in supporting the Office of Head Start (OHS) by managing and overseeing discretionary grants that serve children and families nationwide. This position partners closely with OHS Regional Office staff to support the full grant lifecycle, including application review, award processing, and ongoing program monitoring. The role involves analyzing grant applications, budgets, and program performance data to ensure compliance with federal requirements and alignment with program goals. The Program Specialist works directly with grant recipients to clarify requirements, resolve issues, and strengthen submissions, while also supporting competitive review processes and funding decisions. In addition, the Program Specialist helps drive program quality and accountability by monitoring recipient performance, conducting oversight activities and site visits, and identifying potential risks or compliance concerns. Through thoughtful analysis and clear guidance, the role supports recipients in improving operations, advancing school readiness outcomes, and achieving long-term impact. This is a highly collaborative position that requires strong communication and organizational skills, with regular interaction across federal staff, external partners, contractors, and program leadership.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in early childhood education, human services, public administration, or related field, from an accredited university or college.
At least 2 years of progressive professional experience directly related to early childhood programs, with a preference for Head Start/Early Head Start programs.
Demonstrated ability to utilize a variety of web-based and off-the-shelf data management software packages.
Demonstrated ability to aggregate, analyze, and present data gathered from multiple sources.
Demonstrated ability to produce high quality written products such as memoranda, presentations and correspondence.
Computer, Internet and general proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Ability to learn and operate web-based systems, such as those used by the Office of Head Start is also required.
Proven ability to effectively communicate (when speaking and writing), exercise sound judgment, ask questions and be open to the input and decisions of others.
Strong interpersonal skills, with the proven ability to collaborate and build relationships with staff, clients, remote colleagues and supervisors, and others.
Able to, both independently and collaboratively, solve problems, make decisions and support change.
Must be able to communicate, collaborate and interact with colleagues in a remote work environment; must participate in virtual meetings, appear on camera as needed, and contribute to meeting content as required.

Nice To Haves

Experience measuring the performance progress, compliance and accountability of Head Start/Early Head Start programs preferred.
Grants management experience is also preferred.
Expertise in federal monitoring of early childhood programs.
Knowledge of the federal grant guidelines and the Federal Grant Life Cycle is desired.
Ability to conduct research, analyze data, generate summaries and create presentations from report summaries and other resources.
Strong organizational, administrative and project coordination skills, a demonstrated attention to details and the ability to effectively manage multiple priorities.
experience with Head Start Enterprise System (HSES), Smartsheet and SmartFlow is preferred.
Knowledge of Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) and applicable federal, state and local laws also a plus.

Responsibilities

Provide necessary support to the managing of Head Start and Early Head Start grant programs.
The 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.
Perform these and other reasonable tasks as assigned by management in support of BCT’s goals and objectives.