APD Expert

ICF; Fairfax (VA); On-site; USD 99,000 - 168,000; Full time

Job summary

ICF, a global advisory and technology services provider, seeks an APD Expert to guide the development, review, approval, and management of Advance Planning Documents for child welfare programs.

You will collaborate with the Children’s Bureau, state agencies, and tribal partners to ensure alignment with federal requirements and funding expectations. The role emphasizes governance, cost analyses, procurement reviews, and producing guidance and briefings to support informed decisions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Information Systems, Computer Science, Business Administration, Social Sciences, Human Services, or a related field.
• Ten (10) or more years of experience supporting child welfare, human services, or federally funded technology modernization initiatives
• Eligibility to obtain and maintain a federal Public Trust clearance.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert guidance on APD development, review, approval, and management.
• Review APDs, budgets, cost allocation plans, project schedules, procurement documents, contracts, feasibility studies, alternatives analyses, and cost-benefit analyses for completeness, quality, and compliance with Federal requirements
• Develop technical guidance, templates, job aids, white papers, technical bulletins, training materials, and best practices that improve State and Tribal APD submissions and reduce review-cycle delays.
• Provide technical assistance and consultation on child welfare information systems, CCWIS requirements, Federal financial participation, procurement strategies, project governance, project management, and systems planning.
• Conduct technical reviews of State and Tribal child welfare systems and associated project documentation and provide written findings, recommendations, and technical feedback.
• Analyze Federal regulations, policies, guidance, and industry trends to assess impacts on Children’s Bureau initiatives and State and Tribal child welfare information systems.
• Prepare executive briefings, analytical reports, presentations, technical assistance products, and recommendations that support program oversight and informed decision-making.
• Facilitate technical assistance meetings, workshops, webinars, and consultations with Federal, State, Tribal, contractor, and vendor stakeholders.
• Evaluate and provide feedback on procurement strategies, RFPs, contracts, governance approaches, project plans, and other planning and oversight documentation related to child welfare information systems.
• Support onsite and virtual monitoring, assessment, and technical review activities and develop reports documenting findings, risks, recommendations, and follow-up actions.
• Monitor emerging child welfare technology, policy, and program trends and recommend improvements to Federal guidance, review practices, and technical assistance approaches.
• Provide quality assurance review and subject matter expertise for APD analyses, technical assistance products, and client deliverables.

Skills

Analytical skills

Written and verbal communication

Facilitation

Technical writing

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Information Systems, Computer Science, Business Administration, Social Sciences, Human Services, or a related field

Master’s degree in Public Administration, Information Systems, Business Administration, Social Work, Public Policy, or a related field

Job description

Pay Range

$98,614.00 - $167,644.00

Nationwide Remote Office (US99)

We are seeking a knowledgeable and detail-oriented APD Expert to provide strategic guidance and subject matter expertise in the development, review, approval, and management of Advance Planning Documents (APDs) and related project documentation. In this role, you will work closely with the Children’s Bureau, State agencies, and Tribal partners to support technology modernization and program improvement initiatives while ensuring alignment with Federal requirements and funding expectations. The ADP Expert will evaluate APDs, budgets, cost allocation plans, procurement documentation, contracts, project schedules, feasibility studies, alternatives analyses, and cost-benefit analyses to assess quality, completeness, and compliance. The ideal candidate is a trusted advisor with a strong understanding of federal oversight, project governance, and technology investments, capable of guiding stakeholders through complex planning and approval processes that support mission-critical child welfare programs.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide expert guidance to States, Tribes, and the Children’s Bureau on the development, review, approval, and management of Advance Planning Documents (APDs) and related project documentation.
• Review and assess APDs, budgets, cost allocation plans, project schedules, procurement documents, contracts, feasibility studies, alternatives analyses, and cost-benefit analyses for completeness, quality, and compliance with Federal requirements
• Develop technical guidance, templates, job aids, white papers, technical bulletins, training materials, and best practices that improve State and Tribal APD submissions and reduce review-cycle delays.
• Provide technical assistance and consultation on child welfare information systems, CCWIS requirements, Federal financial participation, procurement strategies, project governance, project management, and systems planning.
• Conduct technical reviews of State and Tribal child welfare systems and associated project documentation and provide written findings, recommendations, and technical feedback.
• Analyze Federal regulations, policies, guidance, and industry trends to assess impacts on Children’s Bureau initiatives and State and Tribal child welfare information systems.
• Prepare executive briefings, analytical reports, presentations, technical assistance products, and recommendations that support program oversight and informed decision-making.
• Facilitate technical assistance meetings, workshops, webinars, and consultations with Federal, State, Tribal, contractor, and vendor stakeholders.
• Evaluate and provide feedback on procurement strategies, RFPs, contracts, governance approaches, project plans, and other planning and oversight documentation related to child welfare information systems.
• Support onsite and virtual monitoring, assessment, and technical review activities and develop reports documenting findings, risks, recommendations, and follow-up actions.
• Monitor emerging child welfare technology, policy, and program trends and recommend improvements to Federal guidance, review practices, and technical assistance approaches.
• Provide quality assurance review and subject matter expertise for APD analyses, technical assistance products, and client deliverables.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Information Systems, Computer Science, Business Administration, Social Sciences, Human Services, or a related field.
• Ten (10) or more years of experience supporting child welfare, human services, or federally funded technology modernization initiatives
• Eligibility to obtain and maintain a federal Public Trust clearance. Day-to-day work occurs within a federal (ACF) technology environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Public Administration, Information Systems, Business Administration, Social Work, Public Policy, or a related field.
• Direct experience supporting the Children’s Bureau, Administration for Children and Families (ACF), or other federal human services agencies.
• Experience developing and delivering technical assistance, training, webinars, workshops, and written guidance for State, Tribal, or Federal audiences.
• Experience supporting the design, development, implementation, operation, oversight, or assessment of statewide or Tribal automated human services information systems.
• Demonstrated experience developing, reviewing, or providing technical assistance related to APDs, project planning documents, budgets, cost allocation plans, procurement strategies, and Federal funding requests.
• Strong knowledge of child welfare information systems, systems development life cycle methodologies, project governance, and project management practices.
• Excellent written, verbal, facilitation, analytical, and technical writing skills, including experience preparing reports, reviews, guidance documents, and executive briefings.
• Ability to work effectively with Federal, State, Tribal, contractor, and vendor stakeholders and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Candidate AI Usage Policy

At ICF, we are committed to ensuring a fair interview process for all candidates based on their own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to generate or assist with responses during interviews (whether in-person or virtual) is not permitted. This policy is in place to maintain the integrity and authenticity of the interview process.

However, we understand that some candidates may require accommodation that involves the use of AI. If such an accommodation is needed, candidates are instructed to contact us in advance [e-mail]. We are dedicated to providing the necessary support to ensure that all candidates have an equal opportunity to succeed.

Working at ICF

ICF is a global advisory and technology services provider, but we’re not your typical consultants. We combine unmatched expertise with cutting-edge technology to help clients solve their most complex challenges, navigate change, and shape the future.

We can only solve the world's toughest challenges by building a workplace that allows everyone to thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer. Together, our employees are empowered to share their expertise and collaborate with others to achieve personal and professional goals. For more information, please read ourEEO policy.

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Reasonable Accommodations are available, including, but not limited to, for disabled veterans, individuals with disabilities, and individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, in all phases of the application and employment process. To request an accommodation, please [e-mail] we will be happy to assist. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations.

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