Lead Program Specialist

Koniag Professional Services, LLC, a Koniag Government Services company, is seeking a Lead Program Specialist to support KPS and our government customer in Kansas City, MO. This position requires the candidate to be able to obtain a Public Trust. This position is for a Future New Business Opportunity. We offer competitive compensation and an extraordinary benefits package including health, dental and vision insurance, 401K with company matching, flexible spending accounts, paid holidays, three weeks paid time off, and more. Koniag Professional Services is seeking a seasoned Lead Program Specialist to provide independent regional office support and serve as a senior technical resource with extensive expertise in federal grants management, early childhood programs—particularly Head Start/Early Head Start—and regulatory compliance. In this critical role, the selected candidate will be responsible for conducting performance analyses, preparing management reports, coordinating organizational initiatives, and supporting strategic planning, all while ensuring strict adherence to federal regulations and program requirements. This position is ideal for a highly experienced professional who can operate independently and deliver high-level programmatic support. This is an ONSITE position at the Kansas City, MO, Regional Office, with telework available upon approval. Essential Functions, Responsibilities & Duties may include, but are not limited to: The Lead Program Specialist - MO will provide senior-level expert support for federal grant management and oversight of early childhood programs. Principal responsibilities will include, but are not limited to: Provide expert support for the award, oversight, and programmatic administration of Head Start, Early Head Start, and Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership grants Conduct comprehensive analysis of grant applications, budgets, supporting documentation, and grant recipient reports to identify performance or management issues Lead small projects related to grant management and collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive operational excellence Conduct remote and onsite monitoring reviews of Head Start and Early Head Start grant recipient performance and compliance Oversee review teams, ensure quality assurance of data collection, and develop written monitoring reports Complete required documentation within established timeframes and operate with minimal supervision Serve as a technical resource providing accurate guidance on federal regulations, Head Start Performance Standards, policies, and program requirements to program staff and grant recipients Facilitate meetings to address performance, compliance, and operational matters Respond to complex inquiries and provide technical assistance to support program excellence Conduct performance analyses using data from multiple sources to identify trends, issues, and opportunities for improvement Prepare high-quality management reports and data-driven presentations to support evidence-based decision-making Analyze and present comprehensive data to inform strategic planning and organizational initiatives Provide supervision and guidance to program support staff and coordinate workflow to ensure quality standards are maintained Support staff development and training initiatives Collaborate with management on operational planning, process improvements, and strategic initiatives Lead organizational initiatives related to early childhood program oversight and grant management Prepare high-quality written correspondence, memoranda, and presentations Support the development and implementation of corrective action plans and quality improvement initiatives for Head Start and Early Head Start programs Education and Experience Required: Master’s degree in early childhood education, human services, public administration, or related field from an accredited university or college Bachelor's degree plus two additional years of relevant experience may be substituted for the Master's degree requirement. Candidates utilizing this substitution must possess a minimum of eight years of relevant post-baccalaureate professional experience in lieu of the Master's degree plus six years standard requirement. At least 6 years of progressive professional experience directly related to early childhood programs, with preference for Head Start/Early Head Start programs Experience with federal discretionary grants management required Background in nonprofit or for-profit program and/or financial management Experience with regulatory compliance monitoring and oversight Preferred: At least 2 years of supervisory experience Required Skills and Competencies Federal monitoring of early childhood programs, with preference for experience in measuring the performance, progress, compliance, and accountability of Head Start programs Fiscal management of early childhood programs, with preference for experience or training in federal interest, fiscal reporting, in-kind contributions, cost allocation, budgeting, and/or internal controls for Head Start programs Proficiency in utilizing web-based and commercial off-the-shelf data management software packages Ability to aggregate, analyze, and present data from multiple sources Strong written and oral communication skills with the ability to produce high-quality written products, including memoranda, presentations, and correspondence Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and web-based collaboration tools Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information appropriately Travel Requirements Contractor personnel are required to travel within and outside the Region during the performance of this contract to conduct site visits, attend meetings, conferences, and training Additional Requirements U.S. citizenship or legal authorization to work in the United States Ability to pass required background investigations for access to federal facilities and systems Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information appropriately Willingness to complete mandatory training requirements Security Requirement Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust security clearance Desired Skills and Competencies Advanced degree in early childhood education, human services, public administration, or related field Experience working in a federal government environment supporting early childhood programs Previous experience with Head Start or Early Head Start programs Experience developing and implementing quality improvement initiatives Knowledge of evidence-based practices in early childhood education Experience presenting to diverse stakeholders and senior leadership Project management certification or training Familiarity with federal grant lifecycle management systems Our Equal Employment Opportunity Policy The company is an equal opportunity employer. The company shall not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity (except where gender is a bona fide occupational qualification), national origin or ancestry, age, disability, citizenship, military/veteran status, marital status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We are committed to equal employment opportunity in all decisions related to employment, promotion, wages, benefits, and all other privileges, terms, and conditions of employment. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled. Shareholder Preference in accordance with Public Law 88-352 #J-18808-Ljbffr