DLH Corporation serves federal government clients throughout the United States and abroad delivering technology enabled solutions in key health and human services programs. The Company's core competencies include secure data analytics and statistics, clinical trials and laboratory services, a full suite of public health research offerings, performance evaluation, system modernization, operational logistics and readiness, and strategic digital communications. DLH has over 2,000 employees serving numerous government agencies. DLH’s portfolio consists of Defense & Veteran Health Solutions, Human Services Solutions and Public Health & Life Sciences.
Under the supervision of the Manager, Field Operations, this position is responsible for collecting data, analyzing data and using the information to produce a monitoring report that is clear, concise and supports performance summaries and/or findings. The position is responsible for facilitating discussions with Head Start grantees, leading review teams and producing high quality reports in accordance with the Monitoring Review guidelines. The Monitoring Support Lead serves as a generalist with knowledge across Early Head Start/Head Start content areas.The Monitoring Support Lead ensures timely and accurate reports are submitted for delivery to the Office of Head Start (OHS).
ESSENTIAL DUTIES
- Provides knowledge and experience as it pertains to the current monitoring process and alignment with the Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) to ensure that accurate field data are collected in supporting monitoring review activities.
- Creates an individual professional development plan that aligns with the current skills required for the current monitoring process and monitoring review activities.
- Participates in competency-based professional development to enhance knowledge and skills related to job functions and responsibilities.
- Participates in internal and external training of the Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) and other regulations to support knowledge required for the current monitoring process and monitoring activities.
- Maintains knowledge and familiarity with state early care and education (ECE) policy, such as, state licensing, quality rating systems, early learning standards, and workforce development (i.e., state professional development registries).
- Remains abreast of state and national initiatives regarding federally funded ECE programs, i.e. Head Start, Early Head Start and childcare partners.
- Researches other data sources used by federal programs to inform future goals and direction for the OHS monitoring system and tools.
- Participates in work group and related projects that support the future goals and direction for the OHS monitoring system and tools.
Performance Management
- Conducts planning call to verify data with grantee, collects and analyzes pre-review documentation, and creates deployment plan of the current monitoring process in collaboration with the Field Operations Manager.
- Facilitates and is accountable for the on-site and off-site review and analysis and post-site phases of the current monitoring review process, according to the Office of Head Start (OHS) Aligned Monitoring System 2.0 (AMS) and DLH monitoring contract deliverables, policies and procedures.
- Communicates and debriefs with grantees as necessary to support the aligned monitoring system focus areas.
- Identifies and analyzes review trends and submits recommendations to the Field Operations Manager.
- Participates in cross-training activities aligned with AMS 2.0 Focus Areas and OHS monitoring priorities.
- Assists Field Operations with supporting Reviewer Consultants as virtual review team leader, and shadow reviewer to observe monitoring performance and provide feedback.
- Utilizes training, technical materials, and processes designed to standardize and implement the current monitoring review process and focus areas.
- Submits bi-weekly metrics to be determined by the Field Operations Manager.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Grantee Monitoring & Support
- Conducts assigned on-site and off-site monitoring reviews as required to support AMS 2.0 reviews in accordance within OHS timeframes.
- Provides analysis of grantee program operations to ensure a balance of performance, progress and compliance.
- Assists with the development of methods, procedures and reports to measure quality and compliance from monitoring review activities.
- Develops clearly written and in depth narratives describing the concerns and issues as prescribed by the current monitoring process and review activities.
- Utilizes the tools and processes required, as well as analysis, to report on the evidence and data collected from the current monitoring process.
- Assists in responding to grantee inquiries requested by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) and OHS regarding the review of compliance data and retrieval of information related to monitoring review activities.
- Provides consistency in level of analysis regarding compliance issues as a result of on-site reviews, evidence and data collection, and reporting.
- Keeps current of any changes affecting federal rules, regulations and guidelines regarding the Head Start/Early Head Start program.
- Researches and analyzes State and federal regulations that are aligned with the HSPPS and AMS 2.0 monitoring priorities.
Required Skills
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate orally/speak, hear, read/comprehend, write, and see. The employee is required to stand and walk. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
UNIQUE JOB REQUIREMENTS AND CHARACTERISTICS
- Experience working with children and families from low-income, underserved communities/Early Head Start/Head Start programs.
- Available and accessible to multiple reviewer consultant across U.S. time zones.
- Ability to travel 40% of the time.
- Ability to work effectively in a virtual environment.
- Ability to problem solving and analyze information.
- Ability to recognizes problems and responds, systematically
- Ability to gather information and sort through complex issues.
- Ability to exercise good judgement.
- Critical thinking skills and ability required.
- Ability to write clear, concise reports.
- Ability to organize work flow, set priorities and goals, and make adjustments as needed.
- Demonstrates self-motivation, seeks new skills and knowledge and greater job responsibilities.
COMPANY CORE COMPETENCIES
- Customer Service: Handles customer questions and complaints, communicates with customers, handles service problems politely and efficiently, is always available for customers, follows procedure to solve customer problems, understands company products and services, maintains pleasant and professional image.
- Initiative: Tackles problems and takes independent action, seeks out new responsibilities, acts on opportunities, generates new ideas, practices self-development.
- Communication: Communicates well both verbally and in writing, creates accurate and punctual reports, delivers presentations, shares information and ideas with others, has good listening skills.
- Teamwork: Meets all team deadlines and responsibilities, listens to others and values opinions, helps team leader to meet goals, welcomes newcomers, promotes a team atmosphere.
ROLE BASED COMPETENCIES—PROFESSIONAL TRACK
- Adaptability/Flexibility: Adapts to change, is open to new ideas, takes on new responsibilities, handles pressure, and adjusts plans to meet changing needs.
- Computer Skills: Skilled in using computers, adapts to new technology, keeps abreast of changes, learns new programs quickly, uses computers to improve productivity.
- Dependability: Meets commitments, works independently, accepts accountability, handles change, sets personal standards, stays focused under pressure, and meets attendance/punctuality requirements.
- Interpersonal Skills: Has good listening skills, builds strong relationships, is flexible/open-minded, negotiates effectively, solicits performance feedback, handles constructive criticism.
- Productivity: Manages a fair workload, volunteers for additional work, prioritizes tasks, develops good work procedures, manages time well, and handles information flow.
- Problem Solving/Analysis: Breaks down problems into smaller components, understands underlying issues, simplifies and processes complex issues, understands the difference between critical details and unimportant facts.
Required Experience
Bachelors’ degree and minimum of 6 years’ experience or equivalent of education and experience in human services, early childhood, business management or related field. Minimum of 3 years’ management related experience in Head Start/Early Head Start programs at local and/or state level.
DLH CORPORATION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. ALL QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WILL RECEIVE CONSIDERATION FOR EMPLOYMENT WITHOUT REGARD TO RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, SEX, PREGNANCY, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY, NATIONAL ORIGIN, AGE, PROTECTED VETERAN STATUS, OR DISABILITY STATUS.