Grants & Compliance Specialist – Head Start

Early Childhood Solutions; United States; Remote; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare

Retirement planning

Remote work opportunities

Flexible scheduling

Job summary

Early Childhood Solutions LLC is seeking a Grants & Compliance Specialist - Head Start to manage grant processes across Head Start programs in multiple cities including Denver, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Kansas City, Dallas, and Atlanta. The role leads a team and ensures compliance with federal regulations, reporting, and performance standards.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in a related field and 5 years of progressive grant management experience with Head Start

Qualifications

• Experience in grant management for Head Start/Early Head Start programs.
• Regulatory compliance monitoring and oversight in funded programs.
• Demonstrated supervisory/leadership experience with a team.

Responsibilities

• Oversee review of grant applications, budget modifications, and post-award requirements.
• Ensure grant-related analysis and documentation are recorded in federal data systems.
• Oversee execution of grant awards and related administrative actions.
• Aggregate, analyze, and present data from multiple sources.
• Monitor performance or compliance and support risk mitigation strategies.
• Lead a team delivering guidance and customer service for grant recipients.

Skills

Grant management

Head Start

Regulatory compliance

Team leadership

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

HSES

AMS

GrantSolutions

Microsoft Office

Power BI

Job description

Grants & Compliance Specialist – Head Start

Grants & Compliance Specialist - Head Start

Location: Denver, CO, Philadelphia, PA, Washington, D.C., Kansas City, MO, Dallas, TX, or Atlanta, GA. | Salary Range: $70K - $80K

Position Overview:

The Grants & Compliance Specialist provides grant management support and delivers customer service for Head Start, Early Head Start, and Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership grant recipients. The Specialist is a subject matter expert that leads a team, supports regional and national initiatives, and ensures timely, accurate, and compliant execution of grant management activities. As lead expert for their assigned region, this position coordinates daily activities to ensure that grant recipients comply with grant agreement terms and federal regulations. This position oversees continuous improvement in grant recipients’ operations and processes in alignment with federal policy, practice, and programs.

Primary Responsibilities:

Oversee review of grant applications, budget modifications, supplemental applications (including change in scope and facilities requests), waiver requests, and post-award requirements.

Oversee that grant-related analysis and documentation are accurately recorded in federal data management systems.

Oversee the execution of grant awards and related administrative actions.

Aggregate, analyze, and present data gathered from multiple sources.

Monitor and identify performance or compliance concerns and support development of risk mitigation strategies that inform customer service.

Lead and guide a team that provides accurate guidance and customer service support that aligns to support grant recipients’ compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards and grant requirements.

Develop, refine and implement standard operating procedures, guidance documents, training materials, and webinars.

Support grant recipients in developing and implementing targeted improvement strategies

Monitor grant recipients’ progress in improving performance, compliance, and accountability of their funded programs

Apply a continuous quality improvement (CQI) approach to ensure that oversight mechanisms evolve to support grant recipients and promote positive outcomes for children and families.

Produce high-quality written products such as memoranda, presentations, and correspondence.

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, human services, public administration, or related field, from an accredited university or college.

Minimum Qualifications:

5 years of progressive professional experience directly related to early childhood programs, with a preference for Head Start/Early Head Start programs, including experience with federal discretionary grants management, non-profit or for-profit program and/or financial management, and regulatory compliance monitoring and oversight

2 years supervisory experience

Experience using federal information systems including HSES, AMS, and GrantSolutions.

Demonstrate ability to work independently whilst coordinating a larger team.

Excellent organization and time management skills.

Ability to write clearly and concisely with attention to detail and target audience focus.

Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Power BI ), Smartsheet.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience or training in federal interest, fiscal reporting, in-kind contributions, cost allocation, budgeting, and/or internal controls for Head Start programs.

Experience in designing, purchasing, constructing, renovating, and/or maintaining facilities that operate Head Start programs.

Experience in addressing sensitive subject matter such as child abuse and neglect.

Experience in budget analysis

Relevant experience in federal monitoring of early childhood programs, fiscal management of early childhood programs, facilities and/or early childhood learning environments, child health and safety, and Head Start program options, the Full Enrollment Initiative (FEI) and changes in scope (CiS).

Location and Travel:

Onsite at one of the following locations: Philadelphia, PA, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, GA, Denver, CO, Kansas City, MO, Dallas, TX. Preference will be given to candidates in the Denver, CO location.

Physical Requirements:

Extended Computer Use: Ability to sit for extended periods and operate a computer keyboard and mouse.

Vision: Must be able to see and read computer screens and printed materials.

Dexterity: Capable of using hands and fingers to operate equipment and perform tasks requiring precision.

Communication: Able to effectively communicate verbally and in writing with team members and stakeholders.

Mobility: Frequently required to stand, walk, reach, and bend to access office equipment and attend meetings.

Lifting: Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds for short distances.

Sensory Abilities: Must be able to perceive and interact with the environment using hearing and speaking skills.

Work Environment: Primarily works in a typical office environment, with exposure to computer screens and moderate noise levels.

Other Duties as Assigned:

This position description should not be construed to imply that these requirements are the exclusive standards of the position, nor will it be the sole basis for any subsequent employee evaluations. Incumbents will follow any other instructions and perform any other related duties as may be required by their supervisor.

This position is subject to availability of funds and to any and all restrictions contained in the contract or contracts that provide funding for this position.

Comprehensive Healthcare: Full medical, dental, and vision coverage to keep you and your family healthy.

Retirement Planning: Competitive 401(k) options to help you build and secure your financial future.

Remote Work Opportunities: Options to work remotely so you can do your best work from wherever you are.

Flexible Scheduling: Adaptable work hours designed to support your personal life and a healthy work-life balance.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Early Childhood Solutions LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment opportunities at Early Childhood Solutions LLC are based upon one's qualifications and capabilities to perform the essential functions of a particular job and our legitimate business needs. All employment opportunities are provided without regard to race (including traits historically associated with race); color; religion or religious creed; sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions; reproductive health decision-making; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; ancestry; age; military or veteran status; disability; genetic information; marital status; family responsibilities; personal appearance;matriculation; political affiliation; credit information; homeless status; status as a victim or family member of a victim of domestic violence, a sexual offense, or stalking; or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law (each a “Protected Category” and collectively the “Protected Categories”). This Equal Employment Opportunity policy governs all aspects of employment, including, but not limited to, recruitment, selection, job assignment, promotions, transfers, compensation, discipline, termination, layoff, access to benefits and training, and all other conditions and privileges of employment. Early Childhood Solutions LLC strongly urges the reporting of all instances of discrimination and harassment, and prohibits retaliation against any individual who reports discrimination, harassment, or participates in an investigation of such report, as discussed in the Policy Against Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation below. Early Childhood Solutions LLC will take appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including immediate termination, against any employee who violates this policy.