Program Specialist Region in silver , Maryland

Program Specialist

The Program Specialist is a full-time position with FM Talent Source for one of our valued clients, the Office of Head Start (OHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The Program Specialist provides programmatic and administrative support for the award, administration, and oversight of discretionary Head Start and Early Head Start grants within the ACF West Region.

This includes working directly with grantees, federal staff, and grants management personnel to ensure grant compliance, improve program performance, and support federal monitoring activities.

Essential duties and responsibilities include:

• Perform activities related to the award and administration of discretionary grants, including coordinating closely with Managers and the Grants Officer on each grant, with particular attention to high-risk grantees requiring enhanced oversight, corrective action plan monitoring, and increased reporting.
• Support grant application and award processes, including preparing and tracking Financial Assistance Awards (FAAs), reviewing continuation grant applications, and ensuring timely action 30 days prior to a grantee's budget period end date.
• Provide guidance, technical assistance, and direction to grantees to improve accountability and program performance, including virtual and on-site engagement as directed.
• Support federal monitoring activities in accordance with current OHS monitoring protocols, including Focus Area 1 (FA1), Focus Area 2 (FA2), CLASS reviews, and the Designation Renewal System (DRS) process.
• Utilize and maintain proficiency in federal grant management systems including Grant Solutions, the Head Start Enterprise System (HSES), the Online Data Collection System (OLDC), and the Payment Management System (PMS).
• Assist in collecting, aggregating, and analyzing enrollment and program data for all grantees, using existing databases and spreadsheet applications to support compilation and analysis.
• Prepare briefing materials, data summaries, memoranda, and presentations for OHS leadership on grantee status, program performance, and compliance issues.
• Provide administrative, data management, data analysis, and technical writing support for Office systems used to track and resolve issues involving grantees, including external inquiries, complaints, incidents, and special interest situations.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Competencies include:

• Analytical – Applies critical thinking to proactively anticipate issues and solve problems.
• Problem Solving – Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully; develops alternative solutions; works well in group problem-solving situations; uses reason even when dealing with sensitive topics.
• Technical Skills – Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; pursues training and development opportunities; strives to build knowledge and skills continuously; shares expertise with others.
• Customer Service – Manages difficult or sensitive customer situations; responds promptly to customer needs; solicits customer feedback to improve service; responds to requests for service and assistance; meets commitments.
• Quality Management – Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness in all work products.
• Ethics – Treats people with respect; keeps commitments; inspires the trust of others; works with integrity and upholds organizational values.
• Judgment – Displays willingness to make decisions; includes appropriate people in the decision-making process; acts in a timely manner.
• Motivation – Sets and achieves challenging goals; demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles; self-motivated.
• Planning/Organizing – Prioritizes and plans work activities effectively; uses time efficiently; anticipates needs for additional resources.
• Professionalism – Approaches others in a tactful manner; reacts well under pressure; treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; accepts responsibility for own actions; follows through on commitments.
• Quality – Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; looks for ways to improve and promote quality;…