EDUCATION PROGRAM SPECIALIST I

State of MD Salary Grade 21

200 W. Baltimore St., Baltimore MD

The position provides technical assistance and programs support to the Program Manager I (Credentialing Branch) within the Office of Child Care(OCC), Division of Early Childhood (DEC) in the areas of birth to 8 early childhood systems and initiatives; meeting the needs of the vulnerable populations; early childhood workforce development initiatives and grants management. Also consults with other branches and offices within the division, other MSDE divisions, and public and private organizations regarding birth to 8 coordinated services, and other activities. This includes but is not limited to grant and project management for the Child Care Development Block Grant. This [position oversee and manage grants and a statewide comprehensive early childhood workforce career pathway project. This position will develop strategies and procedures to ensure compliance with program specifications and fiscal requirements. Additionally, this position will provide training, technical assistance, and services as needed from successful grant, contract, and program implementation. Vulnerable populations include but are not limited to, children who are from low-income families or otherwise in need of special assistance and support; have disabilities or developmental delays; are English learners; and who are migrant, homeless, or in foster care. This position may require traveling to the local child care resource and referral centers throughout the state.

• Provides guidance  and serve as grants content expert for case management, monitoring, and evaluation of the various requirements and projects from the Child Care Development Block Grant, including workforce development initiative, the Maryland Child Care Career Pathway program contract as well as other assigned grants/contracts, including: reconciling the budget and the proposal for invoicing; monitoring grants and contracts to ensure compliance with program specifications, fiscal/spending requirements, and Minority Business Enterprise requirements; evaluating progress in achieving project goals and objectives; providing technical assistance to grantees and contractors to assist in meeting specification goals and objectives;  preparing narrative and statistical reports for interim and closeout of program activities and processing special requests for updates, modifications, and/or data that summarize progress towards goals and qualitative and quantitative outcomes; participates in the monitoring of other grants/contracts, as assigned. 
• Research, analyze and make recommendations on administrative, management and procedural practices; write logical, comprehensive, concise reports and correspondence.  Regularly handle confidential or sensitive information and exercise discretion concerning its disposition.  Review and develop monitoring policies and programs, including the various requirements and birth through eight projects from the Child Care Development Block Grant, including Maryland Child Care Career Pathway program as well as other assigned grants/contracts. Provide technical assistance/consultation to grantees and early childhood programs; consult with other public and private organizations regarding program monitoring and accounting policies. Collaborate and evaluate best practices and strategies within the birth-8; monitor programmatic and fiscal progress of grantees in accordance with state approved procurement policies and procedures; and conduct on-site visits of programs and apply related federal laws, state laws. Provide technical assistance/consultation to grantees and early childhood programs; consult with other public and private organizations regarding program monitoring and accounting policies. 
• Develops grants training manual and conducts training in the area of grants case management and monitoring visits. Prepares solicitations to acquire quality initiative services based upon the scope of relevant federal goals and objectives and the scope of State projects in accordance with established State procurement processes, Division of Early Childhood (DEC) /Office of Child Care strategies, policies and procedures for submission to Branch Chief, Director of the Office of Child Care, and DEC Assistant Superintendent.  

Education: Possession of a Master’s Degree or equivalent 36 credit hours of post-baccalaureate course work.

**This is a contractual promotional opportunity for current MSDE employees.**

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year.

Contractual employees who work for an agency covered under the State Employee and Retiree Health and Welfare Benefits Program, have a current employment contract and work 30 or more hours a week (or on average 130 hours per month) may be eligible for subsidized health benefits coverage for themselves and their dependents. As a contractual employee, you will be responsible for paying 25% of the premiums for your medical and prescription coverage, including any eligible dependents you have enrolled. The State of Maryland will subsidize the remaining 75% of the cost for these benefits. You can also elect to enroll in dental coverage, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and life insurance, but will be responsible to pay the full premium for these benefits. Leave may be granted to a contractual employee who has worked 120 days in a 12 month period. This leave accrues at a rate of one hour for every 30 hours worked, not to exceed 40 hours per calendar year.

Online applications are STRONGLY preferred. If you are unable to apply online, please send your paper application and supplemental questionnaire (if applicable) to: