Strategic Advisor for Child Care and Out-of-School Time - Travis County : Job Details

This position will lead and drive the development of a new Travis County initiative that includes the management of a new team that will strategically implement the Voter Approved Fund for Child Care and Out-of-School Time Programming. Under general guidance from the County Executive and Research & Planning Division Director, the Strategic Advisor is responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating all aspects of the initiative.

The Strategic Advisor will oversee program design, procurement planning, contract management, community engagement, communications, evaluation, and continuous quality improvement. The Strategic Advisor supervises Senior Planner staff and represents the County in driving the launch and execution of this Child Care and Out-of-School Time Initiative.

The work requires extensive knowledge of issues and systems; project management of a significant volume of work with high complexity, profile and stakes; and effective and frequent communication with County officials, Court members, and community stakeholders.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This classification is within the Management job family. Reports to the Research and Planning Division Director at HHS with frequent consultation and recommendations provided to the County Executive. This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department.

• Supervisor to four Senior Planners, with focus areas on communication, community engagement, child care programming, and out-of-school time programming.

• Directs, manages and oversees: overall implementation workplan, child care and out-of-school time initiative program planning and development, procurement planning and implementation, programmatic contract management, evaluation planning, community advisory board, and community engagement.
• Oversees third party evaluation and uses program evaluation, performance measures and other analytics to monitor program implementation and identify strategies for program improvement, efficiency, and effectiveness.
• Serves as the subject matter expert on the child care and out-of-school time initiative using evidence-based practices.
• Produces briefings, reports and other documents for a wide array of audiences, including local public officials.
• Presents before a wide array of audiences.
• Leads department and interdepartmental teams for project implementation and achievement of goals and deliverables.
• Consults with IT leadership on building and maintaining contract management, tracking, and analytic tools such as databases, dashboards and reports.
• Makes policy recommendations based on best practices, community input, cumulative analyses and evaluation.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Public Policy, Planning, Government, Business Administration, Social Work, one of the Social or Behavioral Sciences, or a directly related field AND six (6) years increasingly responsible experience with planning, coordinating, project management, and/or program development, including two (2) years of supervisory or management experience;

OR,

Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:

Valid Texas Driver's License.

Preferred:

• Experience in the field of child care and/or out-of-school time services.
• Experience in social services procurement and/or contract management.
• Experience implementing new initiatives and/or managing complex projects.
• Experience with community and stakeholder engagement.

Knowledge of:

• Local community conditions, complex health and human services issues, local service delivery networks and funding landscape, and characteristics and needs of Travis County populations related to child care and out-of-school time services.
• Project planning and management methodologies, practices, and techniques.
• County procurement processes.
• Analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Meeting facilitation methods.
• Policies, practices, procedures and terminology related to child care and out-of-school time services.
• Best practices in community planning, stakeholder engagement and public participation.
• Performance measurement and evaluation practices.
• Federal, State, Local and County applicable laws, rules, regulations.
• Standard practices in area of assignment.
• Budget development, preparation, and monitoring.
• Computer equipment to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages.
• Business letter writing, grammar and punctuation, and report preparation.

Ability to:

• Coordinate, plan and prioritize multiple projects simultaneously.
• Manage time well, perform multiple tasks and organize diverse activities.
• Collaborate across multiple divisions and departments.
• Listen and communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with a range of stakeholders.
• Prepare clear, complete, accurate and logical verbal and written reports and make presentations.
• Direct, motivate, train, develop and evaluate staff.
• Identify problems, evaluate alternatives and implement effective solutions.
• Reason and make judgments and decisions.
• Work effectively and courteously under high pressure circumstances.
• Represent the County on a highly visible project.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental clientele, representatives of outside agencies, consultants, other County employees and officials, and the general public.

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 5-15 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to standing, walking, sitting, repetitive motion, reaching, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, pushing, pulling, balancing, client/customer contact, squatting to perform the essential functions.

Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.

This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.

Work Hours: 8am - 5pm, Monday - Friday. May work some holidays, some nights, some weekends.

Location: 5325 Airport Blvd, Austin, TX 78751.

Department: Health & Human Services.

Criminal background check, Driving, Education, Employment verification required.

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