Senior Policy Consultant

State of Indiana•Indianapolis, IN

13d•Onsite

About The Position

The Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (OECOSL) within the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) oversees early childcare, education, and out-of-school-time programs. OECOSL's vision is that every Indiana community will have a strong network of Early Care and Education and Out-of-School Time programs that support the child, the family and local schools. Programs will be high quality, affordable and accessible to enable families to work effectively to obtain economic self-sufficiency. Children will thrive in programs that meet their developmental and educational needs and make them feel welcome, encouraged, and supported. Professionals teaching and caring for children will have the resources, including training and education, needed to operate and maintain high quality programs. The Child Care Development Fund Policy (CCDF) Team ensures CCDF policy is properly implemented, changes are effectively communicated, eligibility is determined appropriately and that CCDF and On My Way Pre-K (OMWPK) subsidy payments are both accurate and timely. Your role is to identify the necessary policy and system modifications to maintain compliance with federal policy. You will provide the necessary technical support and resources through ongoing training/educational opportunities to promote continuous improvement and extend capabilities for the CCDF Policy Consultants, Payment Vendor, Community Navigators and Eligibility Specialists. Your role then supports our goals and objectives that are focused on increasing the availability and utilization of CCDF vouchers by families by improving the efficiency of our CCDF eligibility processes and operations. This role provides oversight and management of multiple state contracts that assist CCDF and OMWPK families and childcare providers with administration of the voucher program, serving as a subject matter expert on related programs to ensure contract compliance and performance as well as representing the agency as the primary contract and liaison with eligibility office vendors. Your role will also act on behalf of OECOSL leadership and must maintain meaningful work relationships with childcare providers, stakeholders, and the public. This role directly supports the excellence demanded by the Administration of Children & Families from our vendor partners to ensure appropriate services and care are available, and provided, to our families.

Requirements

Mastery knowledge in program subject matter obtained through experience and/or education.
Broad knowledge of provider agencies and their programs and services.
Broad knowledge of all source materials and references including federal and state laws governing the programs.
Ability to adapt new statues and guidelines to create and implement new principles and policies and discern any far-reaching implications.
Ability to present and represent the agency to both internal and external customers, the public, government officials, and other stakeholders.
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Ability to work effectively with a wide variety of stakeholders.
Ability to analyze and prepare monthly finance and accounting reports to maintain program budget and grants.
Ability to delegate work, set clear direction, and manage workflow.
Ability to effectively give feedback, provide guidance or corrective action, coach, and develop employee skillsets.
At least 10 + years of experience applying the outlined knowledge, skills, and abilities in a similar role may be considered.
Completion of relevant education degree(s) may substitute for equivalent years of experience.
Individuals should have the ability to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Nice To Haves

A degree is not required.

Responsibilities

Establish, monitor, and implement long-range objectives and specifying the strategies, KPIs, and actions to achieve them.
Analyze operations to evaluate performance of the specific program or its staff in meeting objectives or to determine areas of potential cost reduction, program improvement, or policy change.
Interpret and explain in-depth and complex policies, rules, regulations, or laws to organizations, government or corporate officials, or individuals.
Develop and implement corrective action plans to solve organizational or departmental problems.
Prepare and present reports for approval, including those for funding or implementation of services to executive leadership.
Develop and oversee program financial or budget activities to fund operations, maximize investments, or increase efficiency.
Develop and monitor program requirements to ensure it meets federal and state policies and grants compliance.
Develop and supervise training of employees and consultants on program requirements and usage.
Develop, coordinator, and deliver communication plans and communications.
Preside over, or serve on, boards of directors, management committees, or other governing boards.
Recruit, select, onboard, and train employees to ensure role responsibilities and expectations are clearly understood while providing opportunities to continue professional development.
Set expectations, measure progress, provide ongoing feedback, and evaluate the performance of employees.
Ensure work adheres to quality standards, deadlines, and proper procedures.

Benefits

Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match
Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to: 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers
Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
Education Reimbursement Program
Group life insurance
Referral Bonus program
Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
Free Parking for most positions
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