Project Officer - Child Care

Overview

 

Job Summary 

EDA Overview 

• Join the NJEDA and help lead New Jersey to sustainable economic growth, fostering equitable opportunities and vibrant communities. We offer hybrid work, a supportive culture, and robust benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans, and extensive wellness programs. Make a tangible impact and shape New Jersey's future with innovative economic development at NJEDA. 
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Job Overview 

• The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of the child care sector as an economic and workforce enabler that is essential to the equitable recovery and long-term resilience of the state’s economy. The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), in partnership with our sister state agencies, is committed to ensuring that New Jersey’s thousands of child care providers have the resources they need to strengthen their business operations, make improvements to their facilities, rehire staff, and grow.  To date, Governor Murphy and the New Jersey Legislature have appropriated nearly $143 million in federal and state funds to provide child care facilities grants, offer technical assistance to child care providers and develop innovative models to strengthen the sector. 

• Reporting to the Program Manager, Child Care, the Project Officer will work within the Economic Security team to implement and manage new programs to strengthen New Jersey’s child care sector. 

• This position is crucial for implementing and managing projects that align with NJEDA's mission to stimulate economic growth and stability. 

• Candidates should possess strong project management skills, a proactive approach, and a deep commitment to community development. 

 

$65,484 - $81,855

 

Note: The NJEDA currently offers a hybrid work schedule for up to 2 days of telecommute work from home. To participate, you will be required to have high speed home internet access and a managers approval. This program does not supersede the "New Jersey First Act", which requires newly hired NJEDA employees to establish and then maintain, principal residence in the State of New Jersey.

Responsibilities

Duties 

Daily Tasks and Responsibilities: 

• Monitor and manage the progress of ongoing projects within the Economic Security department. 

• Reviews and assesses eligibility of program applicants for child care grants, including reviews of applicant and project eligibility 

• Follows up with applicants for incomplete documents. Assures timely review of applicants and adherence to department policies of notice and communication to all applicants.  Assures accurate file diligence documentation and reporting within CRM and Enable. 

• Reviews and processes payments for programs managed by the Economic Security team 

 

Projects: 

• Lead the planning and execution of community development initiatives aimed at improving economic security. 

• Goals and Objectives: 

• Achieve specific project milestones and deliverables as outlined in the department's strategic plan. 

• Meet or exceed performance metrics related to project timelines, budget adherence, and stakeholder satisfaction. 

• Collaboration and Cross-Divisional Interaction: 

• Work collaboratively with other departments to align projects with broader organizational goals. 

• Participate in cross-functional teams to ensure project success and integrated efforts. 

• Reporting Structure: 

• Report directly to the Project Manager of Child Care 

• Operate with a degree of autonomy in decision-making, while ensuring alignment with departmental strategies and compliance. 

Qualifications

Skills and Qualifications 

Soft Skills: 

• Enthusiasm for child care and equitable community development 

• Strong organizational and project management skills. 

• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities. 

• Ability to work effectively in a team and independently. 

• Demonstrates respectful behavior and promotes teamwork and communication to encourage an interactive, cooperative, collaborative and customer focused work environment among division, EDA staff and external customers. 

Experience: 

• 5 years of experience in government, nonprofit, grant management, or similar organizations with experience serving the public 

• Advanced degr