Salary: $50,982.04-$66,351.55 - Commensurate with education and experience                        

Pay Grade: L

Job Code: GSP-132

Location: Mobile– based will require frequent travel to DECAL headquarters in Atlanta

Position Overview:

This position is housed within the Quality Rated Unit (QR) and sits on the Quality Assurance and Business Operations Team. The role of QR is to:

• Implement the State’s Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) to ensure accurate and timely Star Ratings to child care providers statewide.
• Increase the availability of high-quality child-care programs to all children state-wide.  
• Make accurate and timely incentive and bonus payments to eligible providers and child care workforce.
• Provide education resources, training, and support to ensure clarity, consistency, and understanding among all system users, including families, child care providers, child care program staff, and CCR&R TAs.

This new position will oversee an annual $32 million budget and will be responsible for creating and administering a new system in QR that will facilitate the payment of quarterly and annual incentive and bonus payments. The manager will be instrumental in the development and administration of payment policies and procedures to ensure accurate processing of the new quarterly Commitment to Quality Payments (C2Q) for almost 3,000  2- and 3-Star CAPS providers and oversee the verification and processing of QR Workforce Bonus (QRWB) payments to an estimated 33,000 child care staff throughout the year.

Job Description:

Under broad supervision, the QR Payments Manger will be expected to perform complex payment duties, statistical, financial, operational data analysis, and report compilation in support of creating a new payments system for Quality Rated. Oversight of a complex payments system will require the ability to identify trends, discrepancies, and variances to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of said operations. The QR Payments Manager will partner with QR and QIP leadership, other DECAL division leadership, and third-party vendor to create and manage the QR Payments system while addressing all business and communications issues concerning payment processing. The manager will be expected to exercise various latitudes of independent judgment and will administer various projects, grants, contracts, implementation of procedures, and/or any other specialized functions. This position will also assist with orientation, training, and providing task guidance to junior QR team members who will be called upon to assist in the eligibility determination, verification, and implementation of the two payment processing systems.

Specific Job Duties and Responsibilities:

1.    QR Payments System Design, Development, and Administration:

·     Assist in the design, development, and creation of two new systems supporting Quality Rated Payments: Quarterly Commitment to Quality (C2Q) payments for all 2- and 3-Star CAPS providers and annual Workforce Bonus (QRWB) payments for all staff working in a 1, 2, or 3-star Quality Rated Program.

·     Participate in the development, review, revision, interpretation, and implementation of QR Payment system policies, procedures, standards, and guidelines.

·     Manage the day-to-day operation of the comprehensive payment systems for the C2Q and the QRWB with a focus on innovation and system building, as well as improved performance and accountability.

·     Maintain responsibility for oversight of QR payment processing, ensuring service delivery adheres to all federal and state requirements.

·     Supervise the determination and verification of eligibility for payments based on program criteria.

·     Collect and review necessary documentation from childcare providers and child care program staff to support payment eligibility and serve as the main point of contact for payment vendor, childcare providers, and classroom staff regarding payment-related inquiries.

·     Compile, analyze, verify, and load payment files for transferring to the payment vendor.

·     Analyze data abnormalities to correct or address errors in provider profiles or payments.

·     Provide support related to adjustments (recovery or credit) related to improper payment matters.

·     Identify and implement improvements in the payment processing systems to enhance efficiency and reduce errors.

·     Lead the work with DECAL IT and finance to integrate technological solutions for payment tracking and management.

·     Monitor projects and initiatives to ensure performance outcomes are achieved within budget and agency objectives.

2.    QR Payment System Collaboration and Leadership:

·     Serve as contract champion with payment vendor, liaise and collaborate with vendor to build the necessary electronic payment platforms to ensure efficiency and accuracy of payment amounts, including tracking and reviewing accounts, and processing of weekly invoices.

·     Lead a team consisting of multiple DECAL entities including QIP leadership, DECAL’s Enterprise Project Management Director, DECAL Research, GACAPS, Workforce Supports, Audits and Compliance, and Legal to develop the policies and procedures necessary to ensure ongoing efficient and accurate payments.

·     Lead the work with DECAL IT to design, implement, and oversee systemwide data interface between GACAPS, KOALA,  QR, and external vendor systems to ensure accuracy of payment calculations.

·     Lead and facilitate the work of designated task forces and/or committees related to any and all QR Payment system infrastructure.

·     Serve as the Quality Rated Payment systems subject matter expert and payment unit lead in user testing and acceptance of all QR related payment system IT requirements and integrations.

·     Facilitate communication within the division and with other divisions of the agency, such as audits and compliance and legal, on specific case level concerns as well as on a procedure/policy level.

3.    Payment Recipient Support, Training, and Knowledge Sharing:

·     Provide technical support and assistance to Quality Rated Payment recipients, resolving all payment related issues and offering guidance on payment platform usage.

·     Provide follow-up research to address questions related to complex provider scenarios.

·     Design, develop, and oversee educational resources and outreach opportunities for QR payments, including provider communications, social media updates, and QR payments training development.

·     Develop and conduct training sessions, speaking engagements/presentations, and knowledge sharing activities to enhance payment recipient understanding of the new systems for the quarterly Commitment to Quality payments and the annual QR Workforce Bonus payments.

·     Maintain and monitor a new QR Payments mailbox to respond and resolve payment related issues and to provide general customer service support to QR Payment recipients via phone and email.

·     Review QR Payment Advice with recipients as needed to aid in their understanding.

·     Create, maintain, and update as needed, a list of FAQs to aid in payment recipient support and to inform updates to all QR Payment processes.

·     Provide general customer service support to customers, child care providers, general public, partner agencies, CCR&R TAs, and other stakeholders regarding QR Payments.

4.    Documentation and Reporting:

·     Generate regular reports on payment distributions, including performance trends and budget tracking for each payment program.

·     Maintain accurate records of payments and ensure all data related to payment disbursements is up-to-date and securely stored.

·     Monitor and reconcile payments to ensure alignment with state budgets and program goals.

·     Maintain accurate and up-to-date payment system documentation, including payment system configurations, payment procedures, determination of eligibility, verification of lawful presence, and payment recipient guides.

·     Provide payment related reports to QR Leadership upon request, generate and maintain regular reports on payment IT system performance and usage.

·     Develop and maintain payment system user support documentation, resources, and tracking logs.

·     Develop and modify documents, such as training materials, policy drafts, reports, correspondence spreadsheets, letters, and memos as required.

·     Develop QR Payments Operating Guidelines and identify opportunities for payment-related updates to the guidelines as needed.

5.    Other:

·     Support DECAL initiatives by serving on or leading agencywide  committees, work groups, statewide projects or divisional projects as assigned.

·     Perform other tasks and assume other responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Associate degree in business or related field from an accredited college or university AND three  years of experience related to area of assignment. Note: An equivalent combination of education and job specific experience that provided the knowledge, experience and competencies required to successfully perform the job at the level listed may be substituted on a year-over-year basis.

DECAL Preferred Qualifications:

Preference will be given to applicants who, in addition to meeting the minimum qualifications, possess (9) nine or more of the following:

·       Knowledge of Quality Rated system including operating guidelines and policies

·       Experience managing a multimillion-dollar contract, including overseeing contract renewal and working with third-party vendor acting as sub-recipient

·       Experience administering payment systems for individuals and/or child care entities

·       Experience with legal and finance operations to verify accurate and timely payments

·       Working knowledge of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) SAVE system to verify immigration status and naturalized/acquired U.S. citizenship of applicants seeking benefits or licenses.

·       Experience coordinating multiple complex projects simultaneously

·       Excellent problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyze, diagnose, and resolve complex technical issues.

·       Strong organizational and time management abilities, with the capability to handle multiple tasks and priorities simultaneously.

·       Ability to be resourceful and proactive in dealing with payment issues that may arise.

·       Ability to maintain confidentiality of work-related information and materials.

·       Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate with cross-divisional teams.

·       Ability to work independently with minimal direction, show keen attention to detail, and demonstrate proven analytical and problem-solving abilities.

·       Bilingual skills

Physical Requirements:

·       Work is performed in an office setting with extended periods of sitting, standing, and occasional shorter periods of walking.

·       The employee occasionally lifts or moves objects of a light to medium weight up to 25 pounds.

·       The ability to speak clearly, to hear and understand at a normal conversational level, and to receive detailed information through verbal communication.

·       The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform activities such as: preparing and analyzing data; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading and visual inspection.

·       Full range of hand and finger motion is required for computer and phone use.

Technical Competencies required to perform the job, i.e., Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Understanding of the needs and processes necessary to develop a payment system
• Understanding of working with computation, numbers, and large data systems interaction
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel
• Intermediate skills in Microsoft Word and Power Point
• Intermediate skills in SharePoint
• Ability to execute high quality customer service by anticipating customer needs, providing services accurately, in a respectful and timely manner, and establishing and maintaining effective contact and follow through with customers.
• Ability to develop and maintain positive work relationships.
• Ability to collaborate and work effectively as a team member.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, and organizational skills
• Ability to work with diverse communities and sensitivity to needs and concerns of various cultural groups.

 Recruitment Pool: Open to DECAL Internal Staff and External Candidates

Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning is a family-friendly employer offering flexible work schedules (at supervisory discretion) and a comprehensive compensation package that includes retirement, 401K match, and elective options for health, life, dental, and vision insurance. Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning is an equal opportunity employer. A background check will be completed upon hire, which may consist of any of the following: criminal history, credit history, employment history, educational records, IRS records, and driving records.

“If you are an individual with a disability who may require assistance or other reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the selection process for this position, you may contact our HR department at 678-879-2993. Due to the volume of submissions received by this office, information concerning application or interview status cannot be provided in writing, over the phone, or in person. Only qualified candidates who are selected for an interview will be notified when this vacancy is filled. All applicants who submit a complete application package will be considered but may not necessarily receive notification or an interview. The job posting may be closed at any time without notice.