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 degree or industry specific certification may be substituted for 1 year of experience 

Education: 

• Bachelor’s in relevant field and/or equivalent experience 

Software/Tools Proficiency: 

• NJEDA utilizes Microsoft as the core application platform and proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite is preferred. 

• CRM 

• EnABLE 

Additional Information 

• Minimal physical demands and ability to work out normal business hours 

• Travel expected when necessary for business operations 

Certificates and Licenses Required 

• Staff are required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essentials duties of the position. 

Note  

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job description. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope, general nature and level of work performed by job holders within this job.  This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of qualifications, skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the position. 

Your employment at NJEDA is voluntary and subject to termination by you or NJEDA at will, with or without cause, or with or without notice, at any time.  Nothing in this job description shall be interpreted to conflict, eliminate or modify the employment-at-will status of NJEDA employees.   

This position is considered exempt and is excluded from minimum wage, overtime regulations, and other rights and protections afforded nonexempt workers under the FLSA. 

NJEDA reserves the right to amend/revise this job description as necessary to meet current and changing business needs. 

NJ SAME Program 

 In accordance with P.L. 2021, c. 465 and P.L. 2021, 466, the SAME program was established to enable New Jersey State agencies to hire, promote, retain, and advance qualified individuals whose physical or mental impairments impact their abilities to participate in the hiring and promotion process for non-competitive and unclassified titles within the State workforce.  

The SAME program allows candidates, who identify as having a significant disability, to apply for non-competitive and unclassified positions through a fast track hiring process. This program uses a fast-track process that permits people who are eligible for the program to request that the State appointing authority schedule with them a good faith interview. For more information about the SAME program and the Fast Track Hiring program, please Click Here.  If you have any questions, please email, or call the contact as indicated on the job vacancy announcement. 

This posting open to eligible applicants regardless of SAME eligibility. 

Equal Opportunity Employer 

Position Requirements 

• Foreign degrees/transcripts must be evaluated by a reputable evaluation service at your own expense and must be submitted prior to a start date.  If this cannot be provided within 21 days of an offer the offer will be rescinded. 

• Must comply with the “New Jersey First Act” which requires employees hired after September 1, 2011, to reside in New Jersey. Non-New Jersey resident employees must relocate to New Jersey within one year of their date of hire and provide proof of residency to Human Resources. 

• Must complete an Outside Activity Questionnaire (disclosure of outside office or employment) on an annual basis.  

• Must review the required NJ State Ethics Guidelines found on the state website. 

• Selected candidates must be authorized to work in the United States per the Department of Homeland Security, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services regulations. Note: The State of New Jersey does not provide sponsorship for citizenship to the United States.