The Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) is seeking a qualified individual to serve as a Head Start  Program Eligibility Specialist. This person will be responsible for supporting the recruitment and application process for eligible families and working with families to ensure full enrollment. 

About Us

MARC, the association of local governments and metropolitan planning organization for the bistate Kansas City region, promotes and supports cooperation on regional issues, including transportation, the environment, our workforce and economy, aging services, community development, quality early learning, public safety communications and emergency services. MARC has a collaborative work environment with a culture based on integrity, innovation, diversity and inclusion, excellence in performance and service leadership.

The Head Start and Early Head Start programs promote school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of low-income children through a variety of services, including early childhood education, health and nutrition services and parental involvement. 
 

About the Position

This full time position will work as part of a team of Eligibility Specialists who, in collaboration with the ERSEA Manager, will support all aspects of the recruitment and application process to identify eligible families and ensure full enrollment for the Head  Start and Early Head Start programs.  This position is responsible for assisting in the scheduling process and completing the Head Start/Early Head Start application process with all prospective families to assess eligibility and provide appropriate community resources or referrals as needed. Eligibility Specialist will keep detailed, accurate records of each application using the ChildPlus data base system.

What you’ll do

• Support the scheduling process for applications of prospective new families.
• Support clients and/or collaborate with site staff as needed during the documentation gathering phase. This may include sharing a list of relevant items to bring and/or answering questions through multiple modes of communication prior to the application appointment.
• Review all information provided by families prior to appointments.
• Contact clients at minimum within one business day prior to confirm intake appointments, answer questions, and assist with changes in scheduling preferences.
• Provide an individualized phone or face to face interview with clients. 
• Treat clients with compassion, respect, and dignity to provide the highest customer service experience throughout the process.
• Promote a consistent exchange of information in a professional manner while maintaining confidentiality during application appointments and phone calls.
• Provide resources and referrals to prospective families as needed throughout the application process.
• Maintain the highest attention to detail during the data entry and full completion of each application to ensure precise recordkeeping and reporting information in accordance to MARC Head Start policies & procedures.
• Complete all MARC Head Start paperwork with the client during the application appointment to ensure a smooth transition to designated programming.
• Use the information gathered to determine whether a family is eligible for Head Start or Early Head Start services and support the family in identifying which location best fits their needs. 
• Make corrections as needed based on feedback provided by the Eligibility Specialist Lead/ERSEA Manager within required timelines. 
• Attend and participate in MARC Head Start staff meetings and other internal collaborations.
• Participate in program-wide community events and any required training provided by MARC.
• Maintain a thorough knowledge and understanding of Head Start Performance Standards, the Head Start Act and related regulations regarding Eligibility.
• Maintain up to date knowledge and awareness of all MARC Head Start program options and site-based details within Clay, Jackson and Platte counties to provide an overview for clients seeking assistance to locate the best fit for their specific needs.
• Other related duties as needed.

About You

Skills you’ll need

• Experience in Head Start
• Excellent oral, written and interpersonal skills
• Ability to deal with diverse constituencies and ability to work in a multi-cultural environment
• Strong organizational skills, thoroughness and attention to detail, as evidenced through prior experience
• Ability to set priorities and organize time efficiently
• Ability to handle multiple demands
• Experience working with computers, including hands-on experience with Microsoft Office applications

Basic requirements

• A minimum of an associate degree is required 
• The selected applicant will need to successfully pass a fingerprinting and background check, as well as a Family Care Safety Registry check  

Additional qualifications

Your resume will stand out if you have:

• A Bachelor's degree in a human service field such as Early Childhood Education, Family Services, or Social Work is preferred.
• Experience with the ChildPlus data based is strongly preferred. 

Salary and Benefits

Starting salary for this position is from $17.44 to $19.23 per hour, depending upon qualifications. MARC offers an attractive team-oriented work environment along with a competitive fringe benefit package.

How to Apply

To apply, complete our online application form and attach your cover letter and resume. For more information, visit marc.org/jobs.  
MARC provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Mid-America Regional Council
Head Start Grant Manager

The Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) is seeking a qualified individual to serve as a Grant Manager. This person will be responsible for providing comprehensive fiscal management for small and large programs funded by multiple grants.

Who We Are

MARC, the association of local governments and metropolitan planning organization for the bistate Kansas City region, promotes and supports cooperation on regional issues, including transportation, the environment, our workforce and economy, aging services, community development, quality early learning, public safety communications and emergency services. MARC has a collaborative work environment with a culture based on integrity, innovation, diversity and inclusion, excellence in performance and service leadership.

About the Role

The Grants Manager is a full-time role that works as a leadership team member of the Finance and Administration Department, and in concert with program managers within the agency, to provide comprehensive fiscal management for grant-funded programs.  This role serves as the required fiscal officer for all Head Start grants and requires a high level of familiarity with federal and state grants, Uniform Grant Guidance and various reporting methods and procedures.  This position works closely with Department/Program Directors for seamless grant generation, program monitoring and reporting.

What You Will Do

·Generates, reviews and assists with grant application budgets that support the program goals and objectives, contractual requirements and indirect costs. 

·Reviews grantee/contractor budgets to ensure accuracy and compliance. 

·Completes quarterly budget analysis

·Provides management of and sometimes performs regular financial processes required for grant management including processing voucher request forms, reviewing timesheets, preparing sales invoices, purchase orders, and budget revisions. 

·Reviews and approves journal entries, assigns account codes and monitors charges for reasonableness and compliance with appropriate grant requirements and internal financial policies and procedures. 

·Prepares or oversees the preparation of applicable fiscal reports, including federal and state reporting, for programs in portfolio and ensures timely submission. 

·Manages professional grant accountants and works hand in hand with accounting staff to ensure internal controls are adequate and consistently implemented.

·Proactively supports grantee agencies and contractors, providing expertise and review. 

Who You Are

Minimum requirements

·Bachelors of Science Degree in Finance, Accounting or closely related fiscal field.

·Fiveto seven years of relevant, progressively responsible experience, preferably in the non-profit community, with experience in budgeting, forecasting, grant management and financial reporting. 

Your resume will stand out if you have:

·A Master’s Degree and/or Certified Public Accountant designation

·Head Start/Early Head Start experience

·Federal grant management and supervisory experience

·Proficiency with MS Office package software applications

·Advanced skills using Microsoft Excel and experience in utilizing an ERP/grant accounting software

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Starting monthly salary for this position is from $6,000 up to $7,667, depending upon qualifications. MARC offers an attractive team-oriented work environment along with a competitive fringe benefit package.

HOW TOAPPLY

To apply, complete our online application form and attach your cover letter and resume. For more information, visit marc.org/jobs. 

MARC provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

The Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) is seeking a qualified individual to serve as a Head Start Program Coordinator. This person will be responsible for providing critical support to the Head Start Director and the Head Start program by performing a variety of complex fiscal, technical and administrative duties.

About Us

The  MARC is a nonprofit association of the Kansas City area’s city and county governments, and the region’s metropolitan planning organization.

The Head  Start and Early Head Start programs promote school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of low-income children through a variety of services, including early childhood education, health and nutrition services and parental involvement.

About the Role

The Program Coordinator ensures the efficient operation of the Head Start program and acts as the liaison with staff, delegates, outside agencies and the general public. This position is responsible for implementing fiscal and administrative tasks, as well as program operations tasks to support the MARC Head Start program.

What You Will Do

• Represent MARC Head Start Program and other MARC programs in a positive manner, interacting professionally with the general public and colleagues.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Meeting/event coordination – creates meeting agendas, meeting packets, minutes, correspondence, reports, coordinates meeting logistics, secures needed resources for meeting attendees, manages annual Head Start calendar.
• Provide word processing services and assistance in creating Head Start staff or parent communications including presentations, memos, reports, newsletters and other types of correspondence.
• Plan and oversee a system for maintenance of program files, to include reports, correspondence, newsletters, meeting minutes, training logs, safety logs, program forms, contracts, correspondence, grant reports along with HS Program Director.

Financial responsibilities

• Prepare Purchase Orders, track expenditures and prepare other financial information for provision to the Finance Department.
• Manage reimbursements to parents and committee members for meetings and special programs. Determine method of payment, distribute and ensure appropriate documentation. 
• Track and document in-kind and other allowable costs applied toward the non-federal share requirement.
• Coordinate travel arrangements for Head Start staff and partner agency staff , including completing required documentation; reviewing returning documentation for completeness and compliance with MARC and federal policies; and, submitting for reimbursement.
• Process credit card transactions and enter in GP accounting software; reconcile credit card charges monthly and submit to accounting for Head Start staff.
• Maintain mail and email distribution lists.
• Receipt and distribution of incoming and outgoing mail, shipments, etc.

Contracts Coordination

• Monitor timelines for contracts and initiate the addendum and renewal process.
• Consolidate input from Head Start program managers and the Grant Manager and make annual updates Direct Service Providers, agencies and individual contractors contract documents for review and approval by the Head Start Director.
• Distribute contracts for internal and external signatures.
• Secure, track, and store insurance certificates from contractors.
• Maintain correspondence and documentation related to contracts.

Procurement Coordination

• Coordinate purchasing activities for equipment, furniture, and supplies, to include obtaining bids/quotes, placing orders, accepting delivery, and disseminating products.
• Ensure compliance with MARC and federal purchasing protocols, including facilitating Board approval when required.  Provide guidance to staff on the procurement methods and accounting policies (Davis Bacon and other federal requirements)
• Maintain and update inventory tracking and reporting in Excel for all new/current equipment/supplies and technology; Make sure they are appropriately labeled
• Create and execute transfer of equipment agreements with Direct Service Providers.

Who You Are

Basic requirements

• Associates degree 
• Two years of successful and progressively responsible related work 
• Must be available, as requested, for a variety of evening and weekend meetings, as well as social and community events
• Must be able to successfully pass a background and FBI fingerprinting check
• Must have a valid driver’s license
• Ability to life up to 20 lbs

You will stand out if you have:

• Experience in Head Start 
• A Bachelor’s degree
• Strong organizational skills.
• Requires strong attention to detail, especially as it applies to financial and regulatory tasks.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills, ability to handle multiple demands simultaneously while producing desired results.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of an integrated team. 
• Handle multiple projects and support diverse constituencies is essential. 
• Strong work ethic with intrinsic motivation and ability to take a high level of personal accountability for the quality and timeliness of work.
• Ability to accept and act upon supervisory guidance.
• Excellent and proactive communication skills with supervisors, colleagues, and community partners.
• Ability to be productive and manage emotions and stress in a high-paced environment with flexibility around changing priorities.
• Positive customer service attitude with internal and external customers.
• Ability to communicate effectively and respectfully (verbally, in writing and non-verbally) with a wide range of constituents and diverse populations, including diverse socio-economic, ability/disability, rural/urban, racial, ethnic, age, gender, family make-up and education levels.
• Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Proactive problem-solving skills.
• Considerable knowledge of standard office administrative and clerical practices and procedures. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products, including Excel, PowerPoint and Word. Strong ability to use these programs to manage data and committee lists and create documents.
• Effective writing skills to accurately and succinctly summarize information into an organized and easily understood format.
• Organizational skills to effectively manage documents, calendars, information, meetings, and events. 

Salary  and Benefits

Starting salary for this position is from $20.37 per hour up to $24.04, depending upon qualifications. MARC offers an attractive team-oriented work environment along with a competitive fringe benefit package.

How to Apply

To apply, complete our online application form and attach your cover letter and resume. For more information, visit marc.org/jobs.

MARC provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.