BCT Partners - Senior Program Support Specialist

Senior Program Specialist

It is a time of excitement and opportunity at BCT Partners – a great moment to join our team! We are seeking a Senior Program Specialist for a potential new contract in our growing Children & Families practice Area.

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/

Responsibilities

If you have experience with Head Start, Early Head Start or other childhood or special education programs, BCT wants you to apply.

The Senior Program Specialist is a member of BCT’s customer support team for the Regional Office of Head start, and will 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 in managing Head Start and Early Head Start grant programs. This includes the review and analysis of applications, reports and other documents; providing accurate and timely guidance to recipients; and conducting site visits.  Senior 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.

This is a Hybrid position, located in Chicago, Illinois. 

Skills / Who You Are

You will provide support services related to the programmatic administration of Head Start, Early Head Start and Early Head Start Childcare Partnership 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 recipients in implementing Head Start programs. The Senior Program Specialist also provides comprehensive programmatic and cost reviews of applications, timely completion of follow up contact with recipients and/or applicants to obtain required information, and timely completion of all administrative activities related to the grant awards process.

You bring to the table:

• At least 7 years of relevant and progressive professional experiences directly related to task activities including federal discretionary grants management, non-profit or for-profit program and/or financial management, and regulatory compliance monitoring and oversight.
• Demonstrated experience and capability in providing highly complex regulatory interpretation and guidance related to designing and implementing systems ensuring child health and safety, effective management and safeguarding of federal grant funds.
• Experience managing the delivery of high-quality early childhood development or other similar programs providing services to families with young children. Experience with Head Start highly preferred.
• Experience in team leadership, coaching, staff training and implementing effective quality assurance systems. 
• Proficiency in utilizing a variety of web-based and commercial off-the-shelf data management software packages.
• Demonstrated experience in team leadership, coaching, staff training and implementing effective quality assurance systems. 
• Strong organizational, administrative and process coordination skills, and the ability to effectively manage multiple priorities.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills for effective collaboration and stakeholder engagement.

BCT offers a competitive total compensation package that, for this position includes base pay with an annual hourly salary range between $75,000.00 and $78,000.00 (based on qualifications), 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.