Director of Federal Programs

Overview

Pending approval of the FY27 CFA by TDOE and HCS Board. 

The purpose of this classification is to lead the planning, implementation, management, and compliance of  federal, state, and external grant-funded programs, including Titles I, II, III, & IV, 21st Century, Priority, and ATSI grants, and related funding sources. This role supports district and school leaders in identifying, budgeting, and implementing grant-funded initiatives that align with the district’s strategic plan, priority plan, and school improvement goals. The Director leads the Grants and Federal Programs team directs planning, implementation, evaluation, and reporting for grants while leading the Grants and Federal Programs team and ensures that all funds are administered in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and program requirements.

Responsibilities

Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out but may be considered incidental in the performance of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the duties herein described.

• Supervises, directs, and evaluates assigned staff, assigns work; provides coaching and feedback; addresses employee concerns, prioritizing, and monitoring workload and ensuring timely completion of tasks.
• Coordinates and oversees daily operations of the Grants and Federal Programs department, including organizing, prioritizing, and monitoring workload and ensuring timely completion of tasks.
• Develops and implements annual department action plans aligned with the district’s strategic goals and priorities.
• Provides oversight of all federal and external grants awarded to the district; ensures compliance with ESEA, Consolidated Federal Programs requirements, and all applicable federal, state, and district policies and procedures.
• Works collaboratively with grant budget managers, fiscal services, and other stakeholders to onboard, manage, and monitor grant funds.
• Develops and oversees grant applications, amendments, budgets, and allocations; determines eligibility and allocations for public and non-public schools as required.
• Approves and monitors grant expenditures to ensure allowability, accuracy, and alignment with approved plans and budgets.
• Prepares, reviews, and submits required state and federal reports, including comparability, maintenance of effort, self-monitoring, and performance reports.
• Analyzes academic, fiscal, and program data to evaluate the effectiveness of grant-funded programs and identify areas for improvement.
• Supports schools by providing guidance on federal program requirements, budgeting, planning, professional development, and family engagement activities.
• Collaborates with district departments, school leaders, state and federal agencies, community partners, and other stakeholders to coordinate grant-related activities and resolve issues.
• Maintains accurate records, documentation, and data related to grants and federal programs.
• Maintains current knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, and best practices; participates in professional learning, training, and meetings as required.
• Ensures confidentiality of student, staff, and fiscal information.
• Attends meetings, serves on committees, provides presentations, and represents the department at district, state, board, and community meetings as needed.
• Communicates with supervisor, employees, other departments, school system officials, school officials/staff, teachers, parents/families, students, vendors, the public, outside agencies, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems.
• May operate a motor vehicle to conduct various work activities.
• Complies with applicable district, state, and federal codes, laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures.
• Adheres to the Teacher Code of Ethics as defined by Tennessee Law and Code of Professional Conduct as defined by Board Policy 5.6011.
• Acts in a professional, respectful, and welcoming manner at all times.
• Creates a customer-focused climate and provides quality services and support to schools, community, businesses, Superintendent of Schools, Board of Education, and other stakeholders.
• Works collaboratively with all stakeholders.
• Follows established procedures to ensure assigned areas are safe.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education, Experience, and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, or related field;
• Seven (7) years of work experience that includes progressively responsible management-level experience;
• Or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.
• Must maintain a valid state issued driver’s license.
• Five (5) years of experience in administering federal title or grant funding/consolidated funding applications, school administration preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing with stakeholders inside and outside HCDE.
• Ability to work in a highly visible and fast-paced work environment.
• Ability to work under pressure and deal effectively with unexpected events.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively work with a diverse group of stakeholders.
• Ability to use multiple technology devices to complete essential functions of job.
• Demonstrated skills in planning, organization, problem-solving, decision-making, and time management.
• Demonstrates the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; the ability to calculate decimals and percentages; the ability to utilize fractions and interpret data to improve operations.

Compensation

Salary is based on a combination of relevant education and experience.

Grade: M
Salary Scale

Education, Experience, and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, or related field;
• Seven (7) years of work experience that includes progressively responsible management-level experience;
• Or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.
• Must maintain a valid state issued driver’s license.
• Five (5) years of experience in administering federal title or grant funding/consolidated funding applications, school administration preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing with stakeholders inside and outside HCDE.
• Ability to work in a highly visible and fast-paced work environment.
• Ability to work under pressure and deal effectively with unexpected events.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively work with a diverse group of stakeholders.
• Ability to use multiple technology devices to complete essential functions of job.
• Demonstrated skills in planning, organization, problem-solving, decision-making, and time management.
• Demonstrates the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; the ability to calculate decimals and percentages; the ability to utilize fractions and interpret data to improve operations.

Compensation

Salary is based on a combination of relevant education and experience.

Grade: M
Salary Scale

Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out but may be considered incidental in the performance of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the duties herein described.

• Supervises, directs, and evaluates assigned staff, assigns work; provides coaching and feedback; addresses employee concerns, prioritizing, and monitoring workload and ensuring timely completion of tasks.
• Coordinates and oversees daily operations of the Grants and Federal Programs department, including organizing, prioritizing, and monitoring workload and ensuring timely completion of tasks.
• Develops and implements annual department action plans aligned with the district’s strategic goals and priorities.
• Provides oversight of all federal and external grants awarded to the district; ensures compliance with ESEA, Consolidated Federal Programs requirements, and all applicable federal, state, and district policies and procedures.
• Works collaboratively with grant budget managers, fiscal services, and other stakeholders to onboard, manage, and monitor grant funds.
• Develops and oversees grant applications, amendments, budgets, and allocations; determines eligibility and allocations for public and non-public schools as required.
• Approves and monitors grant expenditures to ensure allowability, accuracy, and alignment with approved plans and budgets.
• Prepares, reviews, and submits required state and federal reports, including comparability, maintenance of effort, self-monitoring, and performance reports.
• Analyzes academic, fiscal, and program data to evaluate the effectiveness of grant-funded programs and identify areas for improvement.
• Supports schools by providing guidance on federal program requirements, budgeting, planning, professional development, and family engagement activities.
• Collaborates with district departments, school leaders, state and federal agencies, community partners, and other stakeholders to coordinate grant-related activities and resolve issues.
• Maintains accurate records, documentation, and data related to grants and federal programs.
• Maintains current knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, and best practices; participates in professional learning, training, and meetings as required.
• Ensures confidentiality of student, staff, and fiscal information.
• Attends meetings, serves on committees, provides presentations, and represents the department at district, state, board, and community meetings as needed.
• Communicates with supervisor, employees, other departments, school system officials, school officials/staff, teachers, parents/families, students, vendors, the public, outside agencies, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems.
• May operate a motor vehicle to conduct various work activities.
• Complies with applicable district, state, and federal codes, laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures.
• Adheres to the Teacher Code of Ethics as defined by Tennessee Law and Code of Professional Conduct as defined by Board Policy 5.6011.
• Acts in a professional, respectful, and welcoming manner at all times.
• Creates a customer-focused climate and provides quality services and support to schools, community, businesses, Superintendent of Schools, Board of Education, and other stakeholders.
• Works collaboratively with all stakeholders.
• Follows established procedures to ensure assigned areas are safe.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.