Program Specialist

Program Specialist

Perform various activities involved with the award and administration of discretionary grants. This includes coordinating closely with the Head Start Managers and the Grants Officer on each grant especially when dealing with high-risk grantees.

Provide support services related to the programmatic administration of Head Start and Early Head Start grants. This includes 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 grantees in implementing Head Start programs.

Assist in collecting, aggregating, and analyzing enrollment data for all Region IX grantees. Using HSES and existing databases and spreadsheet applications to support the collection, compilation, and analysis of grantee enrollment data, including end-of-month (EOM) reporting data.

Provide administrative, data entry and management, data analysis, and technical writing support for Regional Office systems used to track and resolve a variety of issues involving Head Start grantees, including external inquiries, complaints, incidents, and special interest situations involving Head Start grantees.

Supporting the CISP Team in various contract tasks as needed.

A minimum of a BA or BS Degree, with a preference for a Master's degree, in a field related to behavioral or social science, early childhood education, or public administration from an accredited university or college.

At least one year of specialized experience providing guidance and technical assistance to state, local, or federally funded early childhood education, social or behavioral science programs.

A minimum of three years of performing programmatic oversight of state, local, or federally funded early childhood education, social or behavioral science programs.

Demonstrated knowledge and experience with the administration of discretionary grants is preferred.

Demonstrated ability in utilizing a variety of web-based and off the shelf data management software packages.

Demonstrated ability to review, aggregate, and present data gathered from multiple sources.

Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing, and produce high quality written products such as memoranda, presentations, and correspondence.