Director of Federal Program Administration and Coordination

Salary Range: $117,721 - $145,417

200 West Baltimore Street

Baltimore, MD 21201

Specifically, the Director of Federal Program Administration and Coordination will ensure the execution of the full life cycle of federal programs, and will ensure that federal Title, Perkins, and IDEA program offices utilize consistent systems and processes for administering federal programs to local education agencies (LEAs). The branch will also ensure programs: align to and operate within all federal requirements; and align to Maryland Blueprint and strategic plan programs and services (for example, strategically leveraging Perkins programs in service of Blueprint CTE goals). This branch works to ensure high-quality, year-round technical assistance and supports for LEAs and other federal program grant recipients while increasing program quality and impact of federal programs all within established service-level agreements.

This position accomplishes this work through the unification of application systems, implementation of consistent processes for making programmatic and/or budgetary adjustments, and deployment of consistent systems of monitoring, capacity-building, compliance, and reporting for LEAs and other federal program grant recipients. This position requires detailed attention to all work activities, and the ability to maintain that attention to detail while working with urgency amidst competing priorities. The Director will lead the branch team toward accomplishing federal program goals at scale in close collaboration with program offices.

• Leads and coordinates consistent, centralized annual application processes for federal programs and makes recommendations to leadership regarding program operations and potential areas of refinement and improvement.
• Manages and leads program staff to ensure thorough program administration and excellent customer service and engagement with the internal and external stakeholders, including federal program teams and local education agency staff.
• Provides recommendations to Department leadership on fiscal and programmatic components of the programs.
• Monitors and approves mid-year and final reports to ensure the outcomes are consistent with the purpose of the grant.
• Reads and approves federal program applications, award recommendations, and program budgets and formula allocations. 
• Responds to inquiries and establishes and maintains current, standard operating procedures for federal program administration.
• Assists program staff with federal program administration, including application design, application rubric design, reviewing and scoring of submitted applications, and ensuring MSDE maintains responsiveness and timely turnaround time to local education agencies and other grant recipients for all federal programs. 
• Reviews and approves federal Title formula calculation for all Title programs and Perkins and IDEA programs.
• Coordinates formula and fiscal office staff to ensure Title program budgets, budget forms, and expenses are correct and meet Title program requirements.
• Oversees the coordination of the fiscal component of grant monitoring for the Division-based federal program staff and contribution to ongoing Title, Perkins, and IDEA program implementation and compliance. 
• Ensures program staff are completing proper site visits and complete regular monitoring check-ins with LEAs and other federal program grant recipients.

EXPERIENCE: Five (5) years of professional experience in administering, coordinating, and/or managing programs or services in nonprofit, education, or related fields, including two years of experience supervising staff.

1. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Master’s degree or the equivalent of 36 credit hours of post-baccalaureate course work in Education, Organizational Development, Nonprofit, Business, or related fields for two years of the required experience directly related to the position.
2. The required field of education and experience are unique for this posting and are established by MSDE in accordance with Education Article, Section 2-104 of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The specific education and experience qualifications for each position are on record in the Office of Human Resources.
3. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience at a rank of Corporal/Petty Officer or higher as a commissioned officer in Education Program classifications or Education Program specialty codes in the Education field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience and education, one year of which must have been in an administrative supervisory or consultative capacity.

• Emphasis on outcomes, quality, and efficiency: an insistence on consistently delivering high-quality work on time and dedicated follow-through on commitments; a track record of streamlining and creating operational processes, systems, and protocols that enable organizations to become more efficient and effective
• Advanced knowledge of federal grant programs (i.e., Title, Perkins, IDEA, etc.)
• Knowledge of school improvement research, evidence-based practices, and comprehensive school reform strategies
• Skills in implementing, monitoring, and evaluating educational programs, especially those focused on producing high-quality outcomes for historically disadvantaged students
• Coaching and people management: the ability to set clear and high expectations and hold teams accountable to those expectations; the ability and desire to coach and develop individuals and teams to reach short- and long-term goals
• Relentless pursuit of continuous improvement: a persistent desire to self-reflect, give/receive feedback and continuously improve; cultivates and demands a growth mindset from self and from team
• Skills in analyzing and deploying solutions for complex educational issues and challenges
• Skills in managing administrative activities, including supervision, oversight, and evaluation of staff
• Flexibility and adaptability: the ability to adjust quickly to changing priorities and conditions, deal effectively with ambiguity, and work effectively with complexity and change
• Ability to interpret and apply complex laws and regulations governing State and federal programs
• Ability to establish and maintain highly-effective working relationships
• Outstanding communications and interpersonal skills: clear, concise, and persuasive written and verbal communications; the ability to develop and present clear, data-driven storylines and effective slides; an aptitude for effective listening and meaningfully engaging a wide range of diverse stakeholders and quickly building credibility and relationships
• Superior prioritization and project and time management: the ability to balance and manage multiple workstreams and effectively identify key priorities; a track record of performance and successful implementation across multiple concurrent projects

If you are unable to apply online, paper applications can be obtained from the link below and be faxed to 410-333-8950 or mailed to MSDE Office of Human Resources, 200 W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. If there is a supplemental questionnaire, this must be completed and sent in with your paper application. Postmarks will not be accepted.

Inquiries can be made to 410-767-0019, TDD 410-333-3045. Appropriate accommodations can be made for individuals with disabilities. If you have difficulty with your user account or have general questions about this online application system, please contact the MD Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division at 410-767-4850. TTY Users: Call via Maryland Relay.

Proof of eligibility to work is required in compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act. Any misrepresentation of academic or experience requirements for this position may result in non-selection or termination of employment.

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining, and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity. Individuals with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. We thank our Veterans for their service to our country. 

All application materials must be received in our office by the Closing Date.