[Hiring] Head Start Program Support Specialist @BCT Partners

Role Description

The Program Support Specialist plays a critical role in supporting the Office of Head Start (OHS) by managing and overseeing discretionary grants that serve children and families nationwide. This position partners closely with OHS Regional Office staff to support the full grant lifecycle, including:

• Application review
• Award processing
• Ongoing program monitoring

The role involves:

• Analyzing grant applications, budgets, and program performance data to ensure compliance with federal requirements and alignment with program goals.
• Working directly with grant recipients to clarify requirements, resolve issues, and strengthen submissions.
• Supporting competitive review processes and funding decisions.
• Monitoring recipient performance, conducting oversight activities and site visits, and identifying potential risks or compliance concerns.

This is a highly collaborative position that requires strong communication and organizational skills, with regular interaction across federal staff, external partners, contractors, and program leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in early childhood education, human services, public administration, or related field, from an accredited university or college.
• At least 2 years of progressive professional experience directly related to early childhood programs, with a preference for Head Start/Early Head Start programs.
• Experience measuring the performance progress, compliance and accountability of Head Start/Early Head Start programs preferred.
• Grants management experience is also preferred.

Requirements

• Demonstrated ability to utilize a variety of web-based and off-the-shelf data management software packages.
• Demonstrated ability to aggregate, analyze, and present data gathered from multiple sources.
• Demonstrated ability to produce high quality written products such as memoranda, presentations and correspondence.
• Expertise in federal monitoring of early childhood programs.
• Knowledge of the federal grant guidelines and the Federal Grant Life Cycle is desired.
• Ability to conduct research, analyze data, generate summaries and create presentations from report summaries and other resources.
• Strong organizational, administrative and project coordination skills, a demonstrated attention to details and the ability to effectively manage multiple priorities.
• Computer, Internet and general proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Ability to learn and operate web-based systems, such as those used by the Office of Head Start is also required; experience with Head Start Enterprise System (HSES), Smartsheet and SmartFlow is preferred.
• Knowledge of Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) and applicable federal, state and local laws also a plus.

Benefits

• Base salary between $60,000 and $65,000.
• Partially subsidized medical, dental and vision coverage.
• Fully vested 401k plan with company match.
• Company paid life and disability insurance plans.
• Paid family leave.
• Generous paid time off policy.