WHO WE ARE:
Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) connects people with careers across the state. While we are based in Austin at 1117 Trinity Street, we have offices statewide. We're a Family Friendly Certified Workplace with great work-life balance, competitive salaries, extensive opportunities for training and development, and fantastic benefits.
TWC is the state’s lead agency for the federal Child Care & Development Block Grant and administers the Child Care & Development Fund (CCDF) in partnership with local Workforce Development Boards and the Health & Human Services Commission’s Child Care Regulation Division. The Child Care & Early Learning (CC&EL) Quality Initiatives (QI) team oversees the implementation of the state’s QRIS Texas Rising Star, and develops policy and guidance, analyzes legislation, and supports statewide initiatives related to Texas Rising Star and other CC&EL quality improvement activities.
Benefits to working for Child Care & Early Learning Division – Join a passionate and dedicated team that is focused on helping children and families: increasing access to high quality child care, promoting early learning, and fostering long-term self-sufficiency for families. The Division also supports family-friendly workplace policies for its employees and believes in fostering a healthy work-life balance.
This position is onsite and based 1117 Trinity Street, Austin, Texas. Position involves travel, up to 10 percent of the time (within the state of Texas) and the ability to carry/lift 15 pounds. The position may involve working hours other than 8 am-5 pm, Monday-Friday.
Candidates will be expected to complete a pre-interview questionnaire. Also, candidates chosen to interview should expect an in-box exercise as part of that process.
TWC is not considering applications from individuals who require sponsorship for an employment visa, including those currently on student or postgraduate visas. You must be a Texas resident to work for the Texas Workforce Commission or willing to relocate to Texas.
WHO YOU ARE:
A professional with good people skills and an eye for details. You are a self-starting, motivated, collaborative problem solver who can also work independently when necessary. You understand the need for accuracy but can temper that with a steady pace to get a quality job done. You can be empathetic to others and can work with a wide variety of individuals.
WHAT YOU WILL DO:
The Child Care Quality Initiatives (QI) Program Specialist (Program Specialist IV-V) will perform highly complex to advanced (senior-level) program development work for the CC&EL QI activities, funded through the federal Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) as authorized by the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Act in partnership with local workforce Boards and other state level entities. You will work under limited supervision, with moderate to considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
YOU WILL BE TRUSTED TO:
- Develop plans, policies, procedures, standards, guidelines, and administrative rules for initiatives to improve the quality of child care and early learning, including for the Texas Rising Star program. Includes making recommendations for program policy changes, automation changes, and other changes necessary to successfully operate TWC’s Child Care & Early Learning initiatives.
- Stay abreast of emerging issues related to child care and early childhood education, state and federal legislation, and policy changes related to CC&EL programs.
- Research, interpret, and analyze state and federal laws and regulations that impact child care and early learning quality initiatives.
- Serves as a subject matter expert (SME) on child care and early learning topics, including supporting oversight of the performance of TWC grantees and preparing topic-based reports and research for agency leadership.
- Maintain and monitor current project timelines, milestones, and documents or files, developed in consultation with the department and management, to ensure project remains on track.
- Coordinate and communicate with internal and external partners regarding assigned projects to ensure compliance with applicable federal and state policies and procedures for CCDF-funded activities.
- Represent the agency at meetings and conferences with federal, state, and local agencies and organizations.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
YOU QUALIFY WITH:
- Program Specialist IV: Two years of full-time experience in the development, implementation, or interpretation of policies and procedures in a public or private agency.
- Program Specialist V: Two years and six months of full-time experience in the development, implementation, or interpretation of policies and procedures in a public or private agency.
- Both Levels: Relevant academic credits may be applied toward experience qualifications for this position.
YOU ARE A GREAT FIT WITH:
- Experience in policy or project development.
- Strong knowledge of child development and early childhood education, which may include field or work experience in an early childhood setting such as child care, Head Start/Early Head Start, or prekindergarten.
- Experience leading multi-level projects in a collaborative, team environment.
- Experience presenting to or training adults.
- Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
YOU GAIN:
- A Family Friendly Certified Workplace.
- Defined Retirement Benefit Plan
- Optional 401(k) and 457 accounts
- Medical Insurance
- Paid time off, including time for vacation, sick and family care leave
- Additional benefits for active employees can be found at https://www.ers.texas.gov/Active-Employees/Health-Benefits.
VETERANS:
Use your military skills to qualify for this position or other jobs! Go to www.texasskillstowork.com to translate your military work experience and training courses into civilian job terms, qualifications, and skill sets. Also, you can compare this position to military occupations (MOS) at the Texas State Auditor's Office by pasting this link into your browser: https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_ProgramManagement.pdf
HOW TO APPLY:
To be considered, please complete a State of Texas Application for Employment and apply online at www.workintexas.com or on Taleo (Job Search).
TWC is not considering applications from individuals who require sponsorship for an employment visa, including those currently on student or postgraduate visas.
In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.
A position utilizing this classification will be designated as security sensitive according to the Texas Labor Code, Section 301.042.
