Project Coordinator-Time Limited

Closing Date: June 8, 2025

Salary Range: $44,998.81 - $59,143.37 - Commensurate with education and experience

Pay Grade K

Job Code: GSP131

Location: (Home-based) - Atlanta, GA

Note: Time-Limited (Technology Grant Funded) ends 9/30/2028

Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) is responsible for meeting the childcare and early education needs of Georgia's children and their families.  It administers the nationally recognized Georgia's Pre-K Program, licenses childcare centers and home-based childcare, administers Georgia Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS) program, federal nutrition programs, and managers Quality Rated, Georgia's community powered childcare rating system.

The department also houses the Head Start State Collaboration Office, distributes federal funding to enhance the quality and availability of childcare, and works collaboratively with Georgia childcare resource and referral agencies and organizations throughout the state to enhance early care and education.

The purpose of the grant project is to develop, improve, and maintain automated information technology systems used to operate and manage all Child Nutrition (CN) Programs (i.e., Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and Summer Food Service Program SFSP)). The intent is to provide funding for automated systems that will improve program accountability, data accuracy, program performance, and the capacity to identify and target error-prone areas (locations or program functions) within and across the CN Programs at the State and Local Education Agency (LEA) or Sponsoring Organization (SO). This is a time-limited grant funded position which will end on September 30, 2028.

The Project Coordinator will play a central role in executing this multi-year initiative (grant-funded) by coordinating project activities, tracking progress, and facilitating communication between internal teams, external vendors, and stakeholders. This position re​quires strong project management skills and familiarity with project management methodologies and principles. A project management professional certification (such as PMP) is preferred, as the Project Coordinator will be responsible for leading day-to-day operations under the guidance and oversight of designated project leads. This includes supporting the development of a new meal service and procurement module, managing timelines, performance metrics, and deliverables, and ensuring compliance with federal and state requirements. 

Job Description:

The Project Coordinator, under the supervision of the Procurement Compliance Specialist, will be responsible for managing the implementation of the grant proposal. Primary objectives of the grant proposal include implementing technological enhancements to the current State Agency website, application and processing system that will automate and streamline procurement requirements and meal service operations for CACFP/SFSP organizations. The position will take the lead on software research, outreach efforts, coordinating proposal projects and initiatives. This position will also work closely with DECAL’s IT representatives to collect data routinely and will offer strategic and visionary leadership related to the technology in Child Nutrition Programs (CNPs).  The successful candidate will have strong organizational skills, time management, writing and interpersonal skills, attention to detail, and the ability to build strong, collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Job Responsibilities:

·       Plans, manages, and completes projects that support technology enhancements with Nutrition procurement processes and meal service operations.

·       Partners with the Nutrition Training Manager and other project team members across Nutrition, vendors and contractors to develop project scope and use project management skills to manage project roles, identify resource requirements, define project deliverables, and execute goals and business needs.

·       Monitors and tracks project schedule, budget, and scope to ensure that projects remain aligned with business objectives, budgetary allowances, timeframes, and report risks, issues, goals, milestones and project status.

·       Work closely with leaders, project teams and various stakeholders to ensure projects effectively mitigate risks, resolve issues, and deliver as planned.

·       Measures project performance using appropriate tools and techniques to monitor the progress of the project, identify and quantify any variances, perform any required corrective actions, and communicate to all stakeholders.

·       Works with the DECAL procurement and legal department to process contracts, task orders, change orders, amendments in compliance with state laws and ensure adherence to legally binding requirements.

·       Conducts complex research of policy and issues and topics related to technology in Child Nutrition Programs (CNP), analyzes data and information, and prepares summaries and recommendations based on findings. Prepares reports and/or presentations using data visualization best practices when applicable.

·       Works closely with the DECAL Research Division, acting as a liaison and subject matter expert for technology grant-related activities, including collaborating with external partners and vendors.

·       Identifies resources for project/program implementation and manages allocation proactively by ensuring that appropriate resources and tools are assigned to the tasks according to the project plan.

·       Reviews and responds to requests from internal/external users to determine if support or guidance from the vendors/contractors is needed and collaborate to create system resources.

·       Attends IT development meetings and provides input from the Nutrition program and business perspective.

·       Supports system training and testing activities to analyze data and Nutrition personnel to conduct user testing of functionalities, installations, upgrades and reports any issues, delays, changes, or concerns to management.

·       Facilitates internal and external project meetings, gathers queries for Nutrition leadership for routine reports and ensures detailed meeting notes are distributed to the appropriate team members.

·       Ensure effective communication and relationships between stakeholders and project team members.

·       Maintains a consistent, high quality, professional orientation when conducting business and providing services for DECAL and/or interacting with stakeholders.

·       Performs other duties as assigned by Management.

Entry Minimum Qualifications:

Associate degree in communication, English, or public relations from an accredited college or university and two (2) years of experience related to area of assignment; or one (1) year of experience required at the lower level Busi Support Analyst 1 (GSP130). Note: An equivalent combination of knowledge, education, job or intern experience, training, or certifications that provides the necessary knowledge and skills to successfully perform the job at the level listed may be substituted year-over-year.   

Agency Preferred Qualifications:

Preference will be given to applicants who, in addition to meeting the minimum qualifications, possess a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Business Management, Public Administration, or other related fields AND four years of experience related work experience AND two or more of the following:

·       Project management experience in state government.

·       Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

·       One to two years of experience with the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and/or the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), including a   comprehensive knowledge of federal regulations and policy.

·       Experience with Child Nutrition software technology, data systems and management.

Technical Competencies:

·         Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.

·         Excellent organizational skills.

·         Demonstrated ability to manage the delivery of services and processes with accuracy and within federal and state requirements.

·         Ability to instill exemplary customer service as a program foundational value and priority.

·         Knowledge and use of Data Management Systems (Microsoft Office Suite -Word, Excel, Publisher, Power Point and/or Access and training development/design software).

·         Ability to manage own time, set priorities, work without direct supervision, and contribute to team atmosphere.

·         Competent to answer questions related to food and nutrition.

·         Experience working with diverse communities and sensitivity to needs and concerns of various participants.

·         Knowledge and application of Federal regulations (7 CFR 226 or 7 CFR 225), federal financial management guidance, and 2 CPR 200 (OMB Circulars A-122, A-LB, 3015, 3016, and 3019).

·         Knowledge and experience in project management tools and methodologies.

·         Ability to solve problems, multi-task, organize, prioritize, and demonstrate flexibility.

Physical Requirements: 

·       Requires the ability to receive detailed information through oral communication.

·       Requires the ability to speak clearly.  

·       Requires close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading and visual inspection. 

·       Requires the ability to review, classify, categorize, prioritize, and/or analyze data. Includes exercising discretion in determining data classification. 

·       Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory, judgmental, or subjective criteria, as opposed to that which is clearly measurable or verifiable.

·       Requires a full range of hand and finger motion for data entry purposes. 

·       Requires the ability to occasionally continuously stand or walk for long periods of time; regularly requires bending, stooping, reaching, twisting, lifting, pushing, pulling and moving items or materials occasionally of moderate weight up to 30 pounds. 

Recruitment Pool: All qualified applicants.

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, to include healthcare, retirement, 401-k match, and elective options for dental, vision, AD&D, short and long-term disability, and life insurance. Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning is an equal opportunity employer and drug-free workplace. A background check will be completed upon hire, which may consist of any or all of the following: criminal and employment histories, credit history (as applicable to the position), education credentials, and motor vehicle 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. 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 subject to being closed at any time without notice. Only those qualified candidates who are selected for an interview shall receive notification upon the filling of this vacancy.

Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning is an equal opportunity employer.