Sr Grants Program Specialist - WA Part-Time

About the role

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

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 involves mentoring new and existing Specialists and collaborating 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, including grant team members, LC departments, school leaders, teachers, and state program providers.

This is a part-time position and candidates must be located in or near Milton, WA.

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 while promoting a positive company image.
• Conduct school visits to support successful program implementation and provide off-site support via telephone, conference calls, and webinars 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 aligned with LCG and grantor initiatives and requirements.
• Develop and maintain relationships with state regulatory agencies and Pre-K offices.
• Perform weekly school visits using classroom observation forms to support curriculum implementation.
• Educate parents on available resources, refer families for community services, assist in accessing services, and monitor service completion.
• Complete applications for program enrollment and coordinate enrollment, termination, or drop activities of children.
• Maintain all required records in the program’s electronic management information system to track service status.
• Engage families in collaborative relationship-building to establish mutual trust.
• Handle child recruitment and maintain enrollment in collaboration with assigned sites.
• Monitor child attendance and contact parents regarding absenteeism or other issues.
• Perform monthly audits on staff, teacher, 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.

Requirements

• 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.
• 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.
• Must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, all essential functions of the job.
• Up to 75% local travel required.

Skills

• 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 consistent with essential job functions.
• Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Benefits

• Minimum 50% childcare discount.
• Immediate access to 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.
• 401(k) company match after 1 year of employment.
• Flexible schedules with no nights or weekends, and the ability to bring your children to work.
• Paid time off.
• Ongoing training, tuition reimbursement, and credential assistance.
• Master Teacher Program for career advancement.
• Education assistance, including tuition reimbursement.
• Corporate partner discounts.

Pay

$34–36.50 hourly rate, bi-weekly pay.