BCT Partners - Head Start Subject Matter Expert - Monitoring Reports and Protocols

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BCT is a management consulting firm that tackles complex social problems through data analytics, equity-centered solutions and program management. We believe complex issues are best solved through collaboration. As a result, we employ a multidisciplinary approach that combines domain expertise, research, evaluation, technology, organizational development, and a passion for change.
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The Head Start Subject Matter Expert — Monitoring Reports and Protocols (HS SME-MRP) assists with the development and review of OHS federal monitoring reports to ensure completeness, accuracy, and professionalism of program monitoring reports. The HS SME-MRP also supports the development of aggregate monitoring reports that highlight national monitoring trends, and the high-profile OHS Annual Monitoring Report to Congress. This position is crucial to OHS’s goal of enhancing existing monitoring systems and processes for federal review data collection, report development, and onsite data analysis. The HS SME-MRP will provide subject matter expertise related to the Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS), HS federal monitoring review process, and other tools and protocols related to the monitoring of early childhood education programs.

Ideal candidates will meet required qualifications and have strong technical acumen.
 
The HS SME-MRP will potentially work remotely. Candidates for this role must reside in the Washington, D.C, Maryland or Virginia area. 

How You Contribute to the Team: 

Monitoring Reports 

• Assist OHS with the analysis and review of monitoring reports to ensure the completeness, accuracy, professionalism, and overall quality of the narratives prior to being submitted to OHS for final approval. 

• Use a combination of onsite review notes and analysis from data collected during the review process to facilitate the development of monitoring reports. This includes making recommendations to OHS regarding substantiating or dropping potential team findings based on the available data and narratives.

• Assist with the tracking report due dates and statuses.

• Assist with the development of aggregate monitoring reports that use qualitative and qualitative data derived from ongoing monitoring reports in order to identify data trends related to improving program quality and risk minimization.

• Support the development of the OHS Annual Monitoring Report to Congress by reviewing draft narratives to ensure alignment with the results of data analysis; and providing recommendations for revisions, additions, and/or restructured presentation of the report contents. 

Subject Matter Expertise/Advisory 

• Provide subject matter expertise related to HS and the HS review process to help to enhance existing systems for federal review data collection, data report development, onsite data analysis, risk identification, and the dissemination of accurate and timely data reports related to monitoring activities. 

• Assist the IT, data, and management analytics teams in strengthening data protocols by providing insights related to the HSPPS and OHS monitoring requirements as they apply to data, management, and reporting. 

• Provide assistance with the research and development or revision of existing monitoring protocols and tools including the OHS monitoring system, state licensing, state Quality Rating Improvement System (QRIS), as well the research of other research-based valid and reliable tools such as the Early Childcare Environmental Rating Scale (ECERS) and Infant Toddlers Environment Rating Scale. 

• Offer expertise to support and advance various OHS special projects and priorities such as risk assessment, erroneous payments, and inter-rater reliability.

Collaboration 

• Collaborate with IT, data, and management analytics teams to improve and/or develop data management solutions that improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the OHS federal monitoring process. 

• Engage with OHS staff and other relevant partners to better understand OHS’s evolving needs, and assist in relaying that information to the IT, data, and management analytics teams.

• Actively participate work groups, meetings, and trainings as required by OHS, traveling if/when necessary; as well as those required by BCT. 

Perform these and other reasonable tasks as assigned by management in support of BCT’s goals and objectives.

What You Bring to the Table: 

• Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) from an accredited college or university; preference for a master’s degree or higher. 

• Relevant degrees or certifications in Early Childhood Education, Data Management, and/or Project Management are a plus. 

• At least five years of professional experience; preference for direct experience with Head Start/Early Head Start programs. 

• At least five years of professional experience with comprehensive report development, including the development of high-profile comprehensive reports. 

• At least three years of professional experience providing subject matter expertise and/or consultation services.

• At least two years of experience as a HS monitoring reviewer and/or team leader in at least one of the HS federal review areas including: program design, management, and improvement; education and child development services; health services; family and community engagement services; fiscal infrastructure; and eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment, and attendance (ERSEA). 

• Experience in some capacity of data management systems is highly desirable.

• Proven knowledge and understanding of the Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) 

• Demonstrated understanding and knowledge of the OHS federal monitoring protocols, including Focus Area 1 (FA1), Focus Area 2 (FA2), Risk Assessment Notification (RAN), and/or the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS). 

• Proven understanding and knowledge of the structure, format, and characteristics of OHS federal monitoring reports. 

• Proven capacity to review and interpret data from multiple sources to ensure the reasonability and validity of data results. Knowledge of data from the Head Start Enterprise System (HSES), Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS), Program Information Report (PIR), and/or the Aligned Monitoring System (IT-AMS) preferred.

• Established track record in collaborating closely with multiple partners and coordinating collaborative efforts. 

• Proven ability to communicate verbally and in writing to various audiences. 

• Proficiency with computer, Internet, Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint). 

• Experience with video meetings/conferencing (e.g., Skype, Zoom, Adobe, MS Teams). 

• Ability to adapt quickly to new applications. 

Now that you’re familiar with the position, we encourage you to apply. Many of our top candidates don’t meet every qualification, and if that’s the case for you, we still want to hear from you! 
 
There are multiple factors considered in determining final pay for a position, including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and competencies that align to the specified role, geographic location, education and certifications as well as contract provisions regarding labor categories that are specific to the position. 

BCT offers a competitive total compensation package that, for this position, includes a base salary between $80,000 and $100,000 along with a generous benefits package. Salary offers will be based on qualifications. BCT’s benefits include heavily subsidized medical, dental and vision coverage, fully vested 401k plan with company match, company paid life and disability insurance plans, paid family leave, and a plentiful paid time off policy.

Though we do have staff in all four time zones, BCT Partners works primarily on Eastern Time. We support and encourage a strong staff community, leveraging virtual communication tools and collaborative work practices. The African philosophy of Ubuntu (“I am because we are”) is an overarching value that influences our leadership and interactions.

Our Client:
This position supports BCT’s client, the US Department of Human Services, Administration of Children and Families (ACF), Office of Head Start (OHS).  OHS’ mission is to promote school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of low-income children through health, educational, nutritional, social, and other services, as necessary. The Head Start Regional Office is the funding agency to recipients that provide Head Start (HS) and Early Head Start (EHS) services to pregnant women and children from birth to age 5. OHS provides oversight of these recipients through monitoring and technical assistance, often with the support of partners like BCT. BCT takes great pride in supporting our clients: the OHS Regional Office, its recipients and the communities they serve.