Workforce Pell Grant Consultant; Consultant

Workforce Pell Grant Consultant (1099 Consultant)

Fully Remote
• Remote Worker - N/A

Part-time, Contract

Merchant McIntyre & Associates is a midsize federal grants and government relations firm headquartered in Washington, D.C., that helps nonprofit clients from the higher education, healthcare, and local government sectors reach their federal funding and legislative advocacy goals.

Merchant McIntyre seeks an experienced Grant Consultant who specializes in the Workforce Pell Grant program. The ideal candidate has a proven track record of higher-education consulting, specifically preparing institutions for the new Workforce (Short-Term) Pell Grant program. As a consultant, you will help colleges evaluate Workforce Pell eligibility, assess institutional and program readiness, advise on compliance requirements, and provide clear, actionable guidance as regulations emerge.

• Conduct institutional readiness assessments to determine eligibility and alignment with Workforce Pell requirements.
• Guide colleges through the program mapping and approval process, including credential crosswalks, accreditation reviews, and clock-to-credit conversions.
• Collaborate with institutional teams (financial aid, academic affairs, workforce development, IR) to develop and document compliant processes for enrollment, disbursement, and reporting.
• Provide expertise on Title IV compliance, data reporting, and audit preparation, ensuring adherence to federal and state regulations.
• Support the creation of policy manuals, training materials, and data dashboards for Workforce Pell program management.
• Analyze institutional data to identify gaps, model outcomes, and establish performance metrics consistent with Department of Education accountability standards.
• Offer strategic consultation on state and federal workforce initiatives (e.g., WIO, Perkins V) that align with Workforce Pell implementation.
• Facilitate workshops and training sessions for institutional leaders and staff on Workforce Pell compliance, student eligibility, and program tracking.
• Stay current with developments from the AHEAD Rule making Committee and related DOE regulatory updates, translating policy changes into actionable guidance.
• Contribute to reports, evaluation plans, and client deliverables that document progress, compliance, and institutional capacity-building.

• Bachelor’s degree required;
  Master’s or higher in education, public administration, policy, or related field preferred.

• Minimum of 5–10 years of experience in higher education administration, workforce development, or financial aid compliance.
• Demonstrated expertise in Title IV program administration, preferably including experience with Pell Grants or short-term/clock-hour programs.
• Knowledge of accreditation standards, credential frameworks, and state authorization processes.
• Strong data literacy, with experience using IPEDS, NSLDS, or institutional data systems for compliance or evaluation.
• Experience with federal grant management or technical assistance projects (DOE, DOL, EDA, HRSA, NSF) strongly preferred.
• Track record of collaboration with institutional research, financial aid, academic affairs, and workforce education divisions to align policy and operations.

• Proven experience in program design and accreditation alignment, including mapping noncredit and CTE programs to credit-bearing or eligible pathways under federal guidelines.
• Strong background in logic model development, evaluation planning, and performance metrics for federal or state-funded education programs.
• Excellent skills in policy interpretation, documentation, and training, with the ability to develop clear implementation guides and workshops for campus teams.
• Familiarity with state authorization, licensing, and workforce credential frameworks (e.g., WIOA, Perkins V, or state workforce boards).
• Ability to conduct gap analyses of existing institutional programs to determine Workforce Pell readiness and develop action plans for compliance.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to train diverse audiences and translate complex policy into practical steps.

• This is a 1099 consultant position, compensation commensurate with experience and the scope of work.
• Compensation range: $60-150 per hour
• Hours worked per month may vary based on need