Senior Policy Consultant

Senior Policy Consultant

Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.

About the Family & Social Services Administration: The Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (OECOSL) within the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) oversees early childcare, education, and out-of-school-time programs. OECOSL's vision is that every Indiana community will have a strong network of Early Care and Education and Out-of-School Time programs that support the child, the family and local schools.

Role Overview: The Child Care Development Fund Policy (CCDF) Team ensures CCDF policy is properly implemented, changes are effectively communicated, eligibility is determined appropriately and that CCDF and On My Way Pre-K (OMWPK) subsidy payments are both accurate and timely. Your role is to identify the necessary policy and system modifications to maintain compliance with federal policy. You will provide the necessary technical support and resources through ongoing training/educational opportunities to promote continuous improvement and extend capabilities for the CCDF Policy Consultants, Payment Vendor, Community Navigators and Eligibility Specialists.

Your role then supports our goals and objectives that are focused on increasing the availability and utilization of CCDF vouchers by families by improving the efficiency of our CCDF eligibility processes and operations. This role provides oversight and management of multiple state contracts that assist CCDF and OMWPK families and childcare providers with administration of the voucher program, serving as a subject matter expert on related programs to ensure contract compliance and performance as well as representing the agency as the primary contract and liaison with eligibility office vendors. Your role will also act on behalf of OECOSL leadership and must maintain meaningful work relationships with childcare providers, stakeholders, and the public. This role directly supports the excellence demanded by the Administration of Children & Families from our vendor partners to ensure appropriate services and care are available, and provided, to our families.

Salary: The salary for this position traditionally starts at $67,314.00 but may be commensurate with education and work experience.

A Day in the Life: The essential functions of this role are as follows:

• Establish, monitor, and implement long-range objectives and specifying the strategies, KPIs, and actions to achieve them.
• Analyze operations to evaluate performance of the specific program or its staff in meeting objectives or to determine areas of potential cost reduction, program improvement, or policy change.
• Interpret and explain in-depth and complex policies, rules, regulations, or laws to organizations, government or corporate officials, or individuals.
• Develop and implement corrective action plans to solve organizational or departmental problems.
• Prepare and present reports for approval, including those for funding or implementation of services to executive leadership.
• Develop and oversee program financial or budget activities to fund operations, maximize investments, or increase efficiency.
• Develop and monitor program requirements to ensure it meets federal and state policies and grants compliance.
• Develop and supervise training of employees and consultants on program requirements and usage.
• Develop, coordinator, and deliver communication plans and communications.
• Preside over, or serve on, boards of directors, management committees, or other governing boards.
• Recruit, select, onboard, and train employees to ensure role responsibilities and expectations are clearly understood while providing opportunities to continue professional development.
• Set expectations, measure progress, provide ongoing feedback, and evaluate the performance of employees.
• Ensure work adheres to quality standards, deadlines, and proper procedures.

The job profile is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

This position is exempt from overtime compensation for additional work hours which may be required to complete essential functions or other assigned work. Exempt employees may work more than 75 hours in a pay period without additional compensation and must report a minimum of 75 hours per pay period of work hours and/or paid leave taken to receive their base biweekly salary.

What You'll Need for Success: The ideal candidate in this role should minimally have either Mastery knowledge in program subject matter obtained through experience and/or education. Broad knowledge of provider agencies and their programs and services. Broad knowledge of all source materials and references including federal and state laws governing the programs. Ability to adapt new statues and guidelines to create and implement new principles and policies and discern any far-reaching implications. Ability to present and represent the agency to both internal and external customers, the public, government officials, and other stakeholders. Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. Ability to work effectively with a wide variety of stakeholders. Ability to analyze and prepare monthly finance and accounting reports to maintain program budget and grants. Ability to delegate work, set clear direction, and manage workflow. Ability to effectively give feedback, provide guidance or corrective action, coach, and develop employee skillsets. A degree is not required. However, at least 10 + years of experience applying the outlined knowledge, skills, and abilities in a similar role may be considered. Completion of relevant education degree(s) may substitute for equivalent years of experience. Individuals should have the ability to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports: This role may serve as a team lead for an assigned work group.

Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana: The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:

• Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
• Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
• Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
• Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match
• Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
• A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to: 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Group life insurance
• Referral Bonus program
• Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
• Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Free Parking for most positions
• Free LinkedIn Learning access

Equal Employment Opportunity: The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role.