Sr Grants Program Specialist - WA

Join a strong community where all we do is care—for the children and families we serve every day, as well as for our dedicated team members. Our people are our best asset.

About the role

The Sr. Grant Program Specialist supports all areas of State Pre-K grant implementation and compliance for assigned grant programs. The role provides expertise on administrative, curriculum, and training requirements specific to state mandates and delivers informational updates on school programs to internal stakeholders. The Sr. Grant Program Specialist ensures that grant programs adhere to LC processes, grant program guidelines, and the financial/budgetary requirements of the grantor.

Candidates must live in or near Kirkland or Covington, WA. In addition to assigned grant programs, the Sr. Grant Program Specialist assists with other state Pre-K programs and grant-related projects, including writing new grants and launching new grant programs. The role also provides mentoring to new and existing Specialists and collaborates with other LC departments to coordinate processes that support optimal grant program compliance.

This position requires strong interpersonal skills and the ability to partner with multiple constituents—grant team members, various LC departments, school leaders and teachers, and state program providers.

Responsibilities

• Regular, in-person attendance at the designated company site to ensure necessary teamwork, personal interaction, and supervision.
• Maintain a friendly, enthusiastic, and energetic demeanor with customers, co-workers, managers, and visitors.
• Promote and project a positive company image; treat others with courtesy and respect.
• Conduct school visits as required to support successful program implementation.
• Provide off-site support via telephone, conference calls, webinars, etc., as needed.
• Collaborate with other LCG departments to use funds within program guidelines, focusing on providing quality for children and families while ensuring financial responsibility.
• Provide leadership and expertise to grant and field teams on implementing programs in alignment with the initiatives and requirements of both LCG and the grantor.
• Develop and maintain relationships with state regulatory agencies and Pre-K offices.
• Perform weekly school visits using classroom observation forms to support curriculum implementation to requirements.
• Educate parents on available resources in the served area, refer families for community services, assist families in accessing services, and monitor service completion.
• Complete applications for program enrollment and coordinate the enrollment, termination, or drop activities of children.
• Maintain all required records in the program’s electronic management information system to track the status of services.
• Engage families in a process of collaborative relationship building to establish mutual trust.
• Responsible for child recruitment and maintaining enrollment in collaboration with each assigned site.
• Monitor child attendance and contact parents regarding child’s absenteeism or other issues.
• Perform monthly audits on staff files, teacher files, and child files as required by the grant.
• Develop school/state-specific plans based on classroom observations and audits to support schools in maintaining or improving program implementation, including budget and quality requirements.
• Submit plans to the Grant Manager at the beginning of the program year and provide regular updates, including timelines for action steps, to both the school/field team and Grant Manager.
• Build and maintain partnerships with DM and school management to offer the best support for state Pre-K programs and action plans to meet the highest quality in program and compliance.
• Provide regular, effective communication to the Grant Manager to support program implementation and improvement.
• Apply an understanding of the financial aspects of the grant to ensure compliance with budget/spending and tracking requirements.
• Support the onboarding of new Grant Program Specialists in LCG state Pre-K programs in areas of financial processes, curriculum implementation, required assessments, and compliance of grant requirements.
• Lead and/or support new grant RFP processes as needed.
• Support the expansion of current grant programs and the launch of new grant programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred; grant management, early childhood, psychology, sociology, business, or management focus preferred.
• At least 5 years of experience in early childcare program management, grant implementation or management, or accreditation management preferred.
• Prior experience working with state offices at various levels.
• Previous proven experience facilitating Pre-K programs either through direct implementation or providing support and guidance in implementation.

Skills & Abilities

• Must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, all essential functions of the job.
• Excellent customer service and follow-up skills with both internal and external customers.
• Capable of working with frequent interruptions and changing priorities.
• Effective communication skills, written, verbal, and interpersonal.
• Excellent time management, organizational skills, and ability to meet established deadlines.
• Able to work independently and meet deadlines.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and make decisions in a manner consistent with the essential job functions.
• Proficient computer skills including Microsoft Office, mainly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Travel

Up to 75% local travel.

Pay

$71,000–$76,000 base salary, bi-weekly pay. This position is also eligible for our Support Central bonus program based on annual achievement of company performance.

Benefits

• Health and wellness benefits including medical, dental, vision, healthcare & dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSAs), life insurance, disability, accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, pre-paid legal, pet insurance, and identity theft protection.
• Eligibility to participate in our 401(k) retirement plan after 30 days of employment; company match on elective deferrals after 1 year of employment.
• Education assistance including tuition reimbursement.
• Childcare discount available to all employees.
• Corporate partner discounts.
• Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO) plan allowing discretion between employees and managers in taking time off for any reason, compliant with the Colorado Healthy Families Work Act.
• No nights or weekends; ability to bring your children to work with you.
• Ongoing training, tuition reimbursement, credential assistance, and a unique Master Teacher Program.
• A positive, fun workplace where employees are appreciated.