Special Projects And Federal Initiatives Program And Policy Analyst - Advanced

The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF), Division of Early Care and Education (DECE), Bureau of YoungStar (BOY) is currently recruiting to fill a Special Projects and Federal Initiatives Program & Policy Analyst - Advanced position. DCF offers great benefits, personal growth opportunities and work-life balance as a State of Wisconsin employee; and the intrinsic reward associated with serving the children and families of Wisconsin.

All state employees must report their COVID vaccination status, whether vaccinated or not and provide supporting documentation if vaccinated. Newly hired employees will be required to submit this information within their first two weeks of employment.

The State of Wisconsin continues to follow necessary health and safety protocols for COVID. Please visit Division of Personnel Management Coronavirus - COVID-19 (wi.gov) for the most up-to-date information. Guidance may be subject to change.

This position may allow hybrid work for a portion of the work schedule up to 90% depending on the employee’s preference and needs of the work unit. Any hybrid work flexibility that may be available will be discussed in more detail in the interview process.

For positions that do allow hybrid work flexibility, employees may need to report to a DCF office location on short notice. There is no mileage reimbursement when traveling to the headquarter location. Our DCF locations are in the following cities: Madison, Milwaukee, Waukesha, Green Bay, Eau Claire, Wisconsin Rapids, La Crosse, Rhinelander, and Fond du Lac. Employees need to report to the 201 W. Washington Ave. Madison, WI office or the 635 N 26 St. Milwaukee, WI office on their first day for onboarding and orientation.

High speed internet access is required to meet the needs of remote work.

DCF is committed to the important work of helping children, youth and families become safer, more secure and progress down the road to true independence. For more information about DCF, visit our website at http://dcf.wi.gov/.

The Special Projects and Federal Initiatives Program and Policy Analyst-Advanced position, within the Bureau of YoungStar (BOY), supports several special projects, federal initiatives that impact both BOY and the Division of Early Care and Education (DECE), and will provide regional YoungStar support to both internal and external stakeholders. Most projects supported and coordinated in this unit are funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant, and the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSA) grant. Projects and initiatives within BOY are intentionally created, and periodically refined, to: improve equitable access to affordable, high-quality ECE and school-age care experiences; support the development of Wisconsin’s youngest children; increase knowledge within the ECE and school-age care workforce around best practices for children’s optimal growth and development; increase compensation and professional development supports within the ECE and school-age care workforce; and support families in work and parenting roles. This unit, in coordination with the BOY Quality Initiatives Section, partner agencies and the early childhood community, provides knowledgeable leadership, guidance, and joint planning to achieve this vision.

The policy analyst has responsibility for policy development, planning, program coordination, consultation, and monitoring for multiple statewide early education program initiatives for the State of Wisconsin. This position has lead responsibility for planning, policy analysis and policy development for the early care and education workforce and other invested stakeholders. This position oversees, through close supervision, the expenditures of funds by sub-grantees and contractors and ensures that all State, local and/or non-governmental agencies and contractors operate according to the rules established for the CCDF and other federal funding guidelines.

This position will champion joint Regulatory and Quality efforts to increase access, recruit and retain a qualified workforce, and improve the quality of ECE and school-age care programs. To do so, this position will provide technical assistance and policy interpretation to providers, partners and BECR regulatory staff about BOY initiatives, projects, and policies. This position will ensure uniform knowledge of BECR regulatory practices within YoungStar staff and work to align policy and practices that cross bureaus. This position will link regulatory staff to key quality care stakeholders including WI Early Childhood Association, The Registry, higher education institutions, WI Alliance for Infant Mental Health, WI Tribal Child Care Association, counties, contracted YoungStar staff and other statewide organization.

This position will provide outreach on special projects and federal quality initiatives and represent the Bureau and Department on appropriate state and community panels, advisory groups, and committees. They will answer inquiries from ECE and school-age care providers and other early care community members regarding new federal quality initiatives and assist in finding and/or creating resources. This position will provide technical assistance and policy interpretation to contracted staff involved with certain quality improvement initiatives, including providing targeted supports around the early care and education workforce and in tribal communities.

For a complete copy of the position description, click here.

The starting salary is between $25.32 and $37.00 per hour ($52,665 and $76,960 annually), depending on qualifications. Pay for current State of WI employees will be based on the compensation plan in effect at the time of the appointment. The pay schedule/range is 07-03. A one-year probationary period may be required.

Due to the nature of the position, final candidates may be required to allow DCF to conduct a security background check to determine whether the circumstances of any pending charges or convictions would be substantially related to the job being filled.

Applicants must be legally entitled to work in the United States (i.e., a citizen or national of the U.S., a lawful permanent resident, an alien authorized to work in the U.S. without DCF sponsorship.) The Department of Children and Families does not sponsor visas, either at time of hire or at any later time.

Minimally qualified applicants will have:

• Experience conducting community outreach, coordinating stakeholder relationships, or handling external communications with a diverse array of stakeholders.
• Experience developing and/or updating program policies and/or procedures
• Experience providing/developing early care and education programming (non-profit organizations, community-based organizations, regulated childcare, afterschool programs, and/or other organizations)

Well-qualified applicants will have:

• Experience interpreting and analyzing program and/or policy requirements (regulations/standards in a health, human, or social, or educational setting)
• Experience providing program coordination, development, and/or management.
• Experience working with tribal communities, such as childcare programs or tribal governments

If you haven’t already done so, you will need to create an account and apply online. You must apply online to be considered for this position. Application materials will not be accepted if received in an e-mail, as a hard copy or a fax.
After you are logged in and are viewing the announcement, click “Apply Now.” You will be asked to provide your personal information, attach a resume and letter of qualifications. Online applications that do not include all of the requested materials will not be considered.

Your letter of qualifications and resume are very important parts of your application at DCF and are used during our evaluation process to determine your qualifications as they relate to the job. For instructions on developing your resume and letter of qualifications for your DCF application and what should be included in these materials, click here.
Submitted materials will be evaluated by one or more subject matter experts and qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process.

The State of Wisconsin is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer seeking a diverse and talented workforce. Veterans, women, people of color, LGBTQIA+, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities.

Veterans with at least a 30% service-connected disability rating should contact the HR Specialist listed in this posting regarding eligibility for consideration under the non-competitive appointment process.
Permanent classified state employees who are eligible for consideration (transfer, voluntary demotion, or former employees as a reinstatement) must complete the application process to apply.

The deadline to apply is 11:59 PM on April 16, 2023. If you need assistance with the online application process, please contact, Rebekah Gaumitz at 608-422-6417 or via email at [email protected].