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?   This is a hybrid role that requires working two days per week in the regional office located in downtown Seattle, with the remaining time spent working remotely. Program Support Specialists perform functions related to the award, oversight and programmatic administration of discretionary grants funded through the Office of Head Start (OHS).  These functions provide necessary support to the client's staff in managing Head Start and Early Head Start grant programs.  They include the review and analysis of applications, reports and other documents; providing accurate and timely guidance to recipients; and conducting site visits.  Program Support Specialists also support Head Start recipients in improving their performance, which includes performing activities related to identifying and mitigating recipient risk factors, compliance issue corrections, and school readiness & program goal analyses. Program Support Specialists must be able to effectively communicate in writing and speaking with client staff, external partners and contracts, Head Start program governing bodies and executive management.

Key Responsibilities:

These functions provide necessary support to the client's staff in managing Head Start and Early Head Start grant programs. 

The accurate and timely analysis and review of funding applications according to established Regional Office timeframes and procedures.

Review and analysis of recipient program performance reports, Incident reports and complaints, information, and indicators.

Provision of accurate and timely regulatory and policy guidance to Head Start recipients, in consultation with federal staff. Coordinate and incorporate Regional Management (RPM & SPS), TTA (Training & Technical Assistance), and Grants Specialist staff on all recipient case work.

Review and analysis of recipient waiver requests.

Review and analysis of applications for facility construction, purchase and major renovation.

Participate in all required Regional meetings and conferences. Complete all required HHS and BCT Trainings.

Conduct monthly calls with recipients and Regional Grants Specialists covering the topics: Checkpoint Data, Self-Assessment, Enrollment, Staff Salaries and Retention, Community Assessments, Continuous Improvements, Transitions and other recipient specific topics. Participate in FA2/RAN review phone calls & initiate Discipline Incident Reports

Assist recipients with knowledge and understanding of HSES (Head Start Enterprise System)

Process the following requests: Annual Continuations, Key Hires, Waivers (Disability, Non-Federal Share & Teacher), Change of Scopes, COLA/Quality, Deviations, Carry-Overs, Incremental Funding, Slot Reductions & Budget Revisions

Conduct annual site visits to recipients as part of the five-year monitoring cycle for grant oversight according to Regional O