Contract Specialist

ECS4KIDS•Jacksonville, FL

49m

About The Position

At ECS4Kids (formerly Episcopal Children’s Services), we honor young children’s immense potential by helping them enter school ready to learn. We cultivate lifelong learners by immersing children in enriching guided experiences and discovery-oriented approaches. Through programs like Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK), Head Start, School Readiness, Child Care Resource & Referral (CCRR), and more, our dedicated professionals work with families and caregivers throughout Florida to promote children’s well-being. These enable us to strengthen key areas including motor development, cognitive development, social and emotional development, language and communication skills, and problem-solving skills. Partner with us to help empower communities to rise above generational poverty with comprehensive early childhood education and holistic family support. We have career opportunities available in several counties throughout Northeast and Central Florida. The Contract Specialist is responsible for assisting with the contract management and monitoring function of the School Readiness and VPK programs. Work is performed under the supervision of the Contract Coordinator.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree preferred.
1-3 years related work experience preferred.
Ability to effectively provide information in a positive, informative and patient manner.
Ability to demonstrate problem solving skills, counseling skills, and empathy toward needs of parents.
Excellent telephone, computer, and clerical skills.
Working knowledge of laws governing child care, accrediting agencies, and training requirements for teachers.
Knowledge of the overall function, responsibilities, and services rendered by the School Readiness, CCRR and VPK programs.
Ability to adjust to new situations resulting from new laws, decisions, or circumstances with the flexibility needed to adapt and operate.
Ability to establish priorities, schedule work loads and use other resources to complete goals or task
Ability to work some evenings and weekends as needed.
Ability to travel within the North Florida region
Valid driver’s license
Certificates of acknowledgement required: Conflict of Interest, Code of Ethics, Confidentiality agreements, IT Systems and Security, Anti-Fraud, HR Employee Acknowledgement Form.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual language skills at a level that will allow the specialist to assist non-English speaking service users are preferred.

Responsibilities

To assist providers in obtaining program information and eligibility.
Assisting in monitoring of provider profiles, applications, contracts, and files by ECS from the OEL or ELC or others.
Assist with the provider update process.
Assist with Provider Activation Request (PAR) process for School Readiness.
Find providers eligible for School Readiness and VPK in accordance with law and policy and maintain accurate records of all documentation to support that eligibility.
Be knowledgeable of all required forms, policy, procedures, rule and laws regarding VPK and School Readiness.
Assist with the CARES inspection reports to ensure providers maintain health & safety standards and enforce progressive disciplinary actions as needed for both School Readiness and VPK.
Assist with VPK assessment orders and submissions.
Participate with recruitment of providers as needed.
Be able to apply and communicate knowledge local and state rules and regulations and developmentally appropriate child care practices.
Convey School Readiness and VPK information in a relaxed manner, problem solves in a positive manner and communicates sensitively and responsively to the needs and concerns of others.
Maintain EFS Mod and or other statewide databases so that provider data is accurate and current.
Provide necessary statistical information when requested.
Receive and document all complaints from any source that pertains to child care.
Attend any pertinent conferences and meetings conducted by the Office of Early Learning.
Maintain confidentiality in regard to information accessed in the performance of job duties.
Assist in processing attendance rosters and adjustments as needed
Assist with provider monitoring as needed.
Responsible for implementing the coalition’s anti-fraud plan daily activities related to prevention, detection, investigation, and reporting of possible overpayment resulting from potential fraud or abuse.