Program Support Specialist The Program Support Specialist provides programmatic, administrative, and analytical support to the Office of Head Start (OHS) Regional and Central Offices under the National Customer Service Improvement Project (CSIP). This role supports grants management, oversight, monitoring, and data-driven program administration activities for Head Start, Early Head Start, and Early Head Start–Child Care Partnership grants. The Program Support Specialist works under the guidance of the Lead Program Specialist and Project Manager to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant execution of grant-related tasks and contributes to improving the effectiveness and consistency of Head Start program oversight.
Primary Responsibilities:
Support review, analysis, and documentation of Head Start and Early Head Start grant applications, supplemental funding requests, budget modifications, waiver requests, and post-award activities.
Assist in reviewing applications for completeness, compliance, and adherence to federal regulations and OHS policies.
Document analyses, recommendations, and communications in appropriate federal information systems, including HSES and Grant
Solutions.
Support preparation of funding recommendations, summaries, and grant-related correspondence as directed.
Support ongoing grant oversight activities, including review of enrollment data, performance reports, monitoring findings, corrective action plans, and recipient correspondence.
Assist with identification and documentation of potential programmatic or compliance issues and support follow-up activities.
Contribute to pre-review planning, monitoring preparation, and post-review documentation activities.
Assist in development of accurate, policy-aligned guidance and technical assistance materials.
Assist with data collection, aggregation, and basic analysis to support grant oversight, reporting, and decision-making.
Assist with completion of required documentation related to grant requests, monitoring activities, and administrative actions.
Contribute to national initiatives, ad hoc program support.
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in early childhood education, human services, public administration, or a related field from an accredited institution.2+ years of progressively responsible professional experience supporting early childhood programs, preferably Head Start or Early Head Start.1+ years of experience utilizing web-based data management or tracking systems to support program or administrative functions.1+ years of expertise in at least 1 of the following areas: federal monitoring of early childhood programs, with a preference of experience in measuring the performance, progress, compliance, and accountability of Head Start programs, fiscal management of early childhood programs, with a preference of experience or training in federal interest, fiscal reporting, in-kind contributions, cost allocation, budgeting, and/or internal controls for Head Start programs, facilities and/or early childhood learning environments, with a preference of experience in designing, purchasing, constructing, renovating, and/or maintaining facilities that operate Head Start programs, child health and safety, with a preference for experience in addressing sensitive subject matter such as child abuse and neglect, full Enrollment Initiative (FEI) and changes in scope (CiS), with a preference for expertise in budget analysis. Ability to travel up to 25%US government issued security clearance required (will be initiated upon hire) Valid driver's license and ability to pass an MVR check.
Preferred Qualifications:
Working knowledge of early childhood programs and federal grants processes preferred.
Strong organizational, analytical, and attention-to-detail skills.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines in a dynamic environment.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and collaborative tools.
