Reviewer Consultant
Description
DLH Corp, the prime contractor for the Head Start Monitoring Project, is responsible for facilitating all facets of the federal monitoring process on behalf of the Administration for Children and Families’ (ACF) Office of Head Start.
DLH Corp is seeking Reviewer Consultants to join a team responsible for gathering and understanding data from Head Start programs across the country. Qualified applicants will have strong communication and narrative writing skills, the ability to collect relevant data as well as synthesize and analyze information that evaluates the quality of grantees’ administrative, fiscal, management and governance systems that supports the needs of children and families in their community.
Activities may include conducting classroom/center explorations, reviewing documents, uploading evidence, having discussions with managers, staff and parents and representatives of policy councils and governing bodies. Data is gathered from a variety of sources while onsite and the reviewer is responsible to write a report narrative that clearly summarizes information using the Office of Head Start Aligned Monitoring System.
Major Responsibilities
- Complete all required virtual training before participating in reviews to become familiar with the monitoring processes, protocols, reporting database systems, and related resources
- Conduct analysis of grantee structures from across different entities, functions and capacity; have knowledge of the functions and systems that support quality program operations, such as, non-profit, single purpose, Local Educational Associations, community action councils, etc.
- Develop an understanding of how grantees have developed an awareness of their community and used this information to determine their program design that meets the needs of children and families they serve
- Understand how grantees used data to support continuous improvement and align with the program's service needs
- Obtain, synthesize, and critically evaluate complex information about a program’s performance to understand the root of program challenges
- Review and analyze a broad array of data sources and documents to understand how grantees have used information to inform service delivery in a creative and unique way and how resources have been allocated to support these services
- Understand the grantee’s fiscal, administrative, and management areas, and how activities incorporate the governing body and policy group in the development of administrative, fiscal and program improvements in a comprehensive and holistic manner
- Use data and other information to understand how the grantee has set up their program operations and management systems to support program services, and helps to identify appropriate management and administrative procedures to strengthen grantee practices in the areas of school readiness, family engagement, health and safety, fiscal, and children with disabilities to make program decisions and ensure continuous progress
- Collect and enter all information from data collection, interviews, document reviews and evidence into the monitoring software tools and write a narrative for each area describing information that was learned during the review
- Participate in all required trainings to become familiar with the monitoring processes, protocol, reporting and database systems, and related resources
- Work with a diverse team to conduct monitoring reviews under the leadership of the onsite DLH Review Lead that will include input of data, collection of evidence, interviewing and reporting results of the review in a narrative format
- Collect data and write narrative summaries describing the concerns and issues as prescribed by the current monitoring process and review activities
- Keep current of any changes affecting federal rules, regulations and guidelines regarding Head Start and Early Head Start programs
- Effective oral, report narrative writing and interviewing skills
- Ability to synthesize complex information using critical thinking and analytical skills
- Ability to perform in a virtual environment using a variety of technology systems, Internet, and virtual meeting software (i.e. WebEx, Zoom etc.) and other related online systems to support all monitoring review activities
- Ability to interact with a customer-friendly focus and professional manner
- Ability to complete work within the specified deadlines and time frames
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
- Ability to work collaboratively with DLH Corp staff and in alignment with the Office of Head Start, ACF Regional Offices and external stakeholders
- Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive data and information
- Valid driver’s license
- Ability to travel using air, rail, other means independently
- Drive to various geographical locations, some of which may be in different locations each day
- Sit or stand for long periods of time may be necessary
- Walk; Crouch; Listen
- Visual acuity to perform activities such as, reading and conducting observations.
- A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in a field related to Organizational Management, Human Services, Administration, Psychology, Early Childhood and/or combination of experience and education
- Knowledge and experience working in program administration. Responsible for program operations, leadership, regulatory functions, and funding
- Ability to understand the function of an organization from a broad prospective, including organizational structure and operations, fiscal management and leadership
- Knowledge of systems required for smooth program functioning; must understand organizational change and systems required to monitor organizational performance and health
- Knowledge of the mechanics of writing a narrative to support evidence collected; organizing ideas that effectively communicate details of data collected during a review
- 3+ years’ experience leading various initiatives, managing projects and coordinating activities using a team approach