BCT Partners - Program Specialist

About BCT
We solve complex social problems.
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.
To learn more about how we live our values of Ubuntu (“I am because we are”) and our mission to harness the power of diversity, insights, and innovation to transform lives, accelerate equity, and create lasting change, go to our website and follow us on social media.
https://www.bctpartners.com/

This is a hybrid role that would require splitting time from remote work and the regional office located in downtown Seattle.
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.

Key Responsibilities:

These functions provide necessary support to the client’s staff in managing 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.

Program Specialists may be assigned specific recipient workloads of individual Head Start, Early Head Start, or Early Head Start Child Care Partnership grants and perform the following:

• 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.

Experience, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university or college, preferably in education, early childhood education, program design and management or related fields; master’s degree a plus
• 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 (both verbally and orally), 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.

This is a hybrid role that would require splitting time from remote work and the regional office located in downtown Seattle.
BCT offers a competitive total compensation package that, for this position, includes base salary with a starting annual range between $62,000 and $66,000, along with a generous benefits package. 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, a strong work-life balance/time-off structure.
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.