State and Federal Resource Specialist

Commonwealth of Massachusetts • Everett, MA

12h • Hybrid

About The Position

The Federal Grants Office within the Planning and Research Unit supports school districts and partner organizations in strengthening the strategic use of resources to improve student outcomes. The office advances this work primarily through the administration, implementation, oversight and monitoring of a portfolio of state and federal funding programs, including federal grant programs (Titles IA, IIA, IIIA, and IVA under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education grant programs, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act programs, and state issued earmarks. The Federal Grants office provides program implementation technical assistance and policy guidance, to ensure funds are used effectively and in compliance with applicable federal and state requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and at least four years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional educational experience in a specific or related content area, educational program/or service
• A Master’s degree or higher in a specific or related educational content area may be substituted for two years of the required experience -- 30 semester hours equals one year of experience for substitution purposes.
• Education toward a degree in a specific or related educational content area will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.
• Possession of a current and valid Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Operator's License or the equivalent from another state may be required.

Nice To Haves

• Ability to effectively manage varied projects while balancing multiple and competing priorities
• Experience working with a range of diverse stakeholders and tailoring approach and communications to successfully meet project goals and timelines
• Strong interpersonal skills, including ability to establish rapport, motivate, and maintain positive and productive relationships with colleagues and clients from diverse backgrounds
• Demonstrated attentiveness to detailed tasks and a record of accomplishing such tasks without direct supervision
• Ability to exercise sound judgment
• Excellent communication skills, orally and in writing, including ability to write and present clear, appropriately detailed memoranda and documentation as required
• Ability to strategize and work with others to solve problems
• Ability to handle matters with mature judgment and discretion
• Strong organizational skills, including ability to manage complex tasks and meet deadlines
• Ability to work with confidential information and maintain the highest level of confidentiality
• Knowledge of state and federal education laws and the culture, organization, and structures of Private schools
• Strong computer skills and proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook

Responsibilities

• Coordination and implementation of state-level equitable services for ESEA Title VIII Programs (Title IIA, Title IIIA and Title IVA)
• Assist with the coordination of DESE program offices to administer the state level equitable services for non-public schools.
• Help determine whether education service providers (the vendors that will be providing support to non-public schools) meet qualifications of a pre-approved service agreement.
• Provide orientation, technical assistance, and monitor education service providers once they are on the pre-approved service list.
• Coordinate and create the private school application for state-level equitable services implementation.
• Assist with the organization, outreach, and application for state-level equitable services for federal grant programs.
• Review and request revision of all private school applications for equitable services
• Coordinate review and scoring of all eligible applications for equitable services
• Create and maintain the state-level equitable services tracker to confirm expenditures, private school set-asides, approved providers, etc.
• Review and suggest approval of any invoices from approved equitable service providers.
• Serve as a liaison and general resource regarding statutory and regulatory requirements in coordination with DESE’s ESEA Ombudsman for DESE staff, private school officials, and others on matters such as allowable and unallowable costs, obtaining contractual and/or goods and services, and other matters related to ESEA state-level equitable services.
• Coordinate and establish regular meetings with state-level private school stakeholders.
• Coordinate and administer biennial Private School Needs Assessment.
• Coordinate and administer the annual end of year program evaluation to participating private schools.
• Implementation of Annual State-Level Earmarks
• Build or update any associated applications in GEM$ for dissemination of grant earmarks to school districts.
• Accurately review and approve state earmarks issued as grants and contracts in a timely manner.
• Liaise with DESE’s Procurement Office to establish earmark contracts with municipalities.
• Establish ongoing feedback loops with municipalities and districts for successful completion of earmark expenditures.
• DESE GEM$ Applications Quality Control Technical Support Provider
• In collaboration with Grants Management and DESE GEM$ administrators, establish routines and processes that will ensure program offices are producing funding applications that have appropriate, consistent functionality and observe DESE conventions and policies for grantmaking.
• Create and/or supplement technical assistance for internal and external use for GEM$ features, especially as new features are introduced and legacy features are updated.
• Assist in responding to TEAMS GEM$ Chat requests for help by DESE staff and file JIRA tickets with the vendor, LINQ, for bugs, errors, or clarifications
• Coordinate soliciting and acting on feedback from district GEM$ users for new policies, functionality, and support features.
• Monitor changes to state and/or federal law or policy that may require updates, revisions, or additions in GEM$, particularly for federal entitlement grants.
• ESEA Blended Project
• In collaboration with Assistant Director of Federal Grant Programs:
• Plan for and build updated tools required for schoolwide consolidated budgets (Spending Blending) for Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) programs and local funding.
• Make any necessary adjustments to ESEA funding applications to accommodate districts approved for Spending Blending programs.
• Create guidance for districts wanting to establish Spending Blending programs for eligible schools.
• Coordinate outreach for Spending Blending, including emails, meetings (virtual and/or in person), and webinars for districts and schools, as well as to the independent auditor community
• Provide technical assistance for districts approved to establish Spending Blending programs.
• Review submitted documentation and consolidated schoolwide budgets for completeness, accuracy, and alignment with ESEA funding applications (ESSA Consolidated), working with RASP liaisons to coordinate.
• Periodically monitor and track any updates needed to Spending Blending documentation due to spending adjustments throughout the school year.
• Consult with the OESE at United States Department of Education as necessary for clarification of guidance and compliant practices.
• Special Projects
• Coordinate and execute federal-grants-related projects to facilitate required reporting, technical assistance, compliance, and effective and efficient federal grantmaking as need arises.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Based on assignment travel may be required.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Benefits
• outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package
• work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level