GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS CONSULTANT III - 48002593

Requisition No: 860480 

Agency: Department of Education

Working Title: GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS CONSULTANT III - 48002593

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 48002593 

Salary:  $50,584.67 - $58,000/annually 

Posting Closing Date: 09/23/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Florida Department of Education

Division of Early Learning

Location: Tallahassee Turlington Building

Position Title: Government Operations Consultant III (CS)

Salary Range: $50,584.67 - $58,000/annually

CANDIDATES ARE TYPICALLY HIRED AT THE MINIMUM SALARY

APPLICATION INFORMATION & HIRING REQUIREMENTS

Application Information:

• Your Candidate Profile (application) must be complete in its entirety.
• Work History (in easy to review chronological order) Consists of:

• • Any position held by a State of Florida Agency
  • Any position held by a Florida University
  • All periods of employment from high school graduation
  • All periods of current or prior unemployment
  • Gaps 3 months or more must be accounted for*
  • Any Education
  • Any Volunteer Experience
  • Your resume and application must match
• *Gaps 3 months or more must be addressed – you will need to account for and explain any gaps in employment including unemployment. You can either list these in your application under Period of Employment or attach a word document listing your gaps.
• It is unacceptable to use the statement “See Resume” in place of entering work history. Your candidate profile will be converted to your official application.
• Include supervisor names and phone numbers for reference checks or the contact information for your Human Resources office to verify current or former employment.
• Experience, education, training, knowledge, skills and/or abilities as well as responses to pre-qualifying questions must be verifiable to meet the minimum qualifications.  

Hiring Information and Requirements:

• The Bureau of Personnel Management reviews every application for prior State of Florida and Florida University work history in the People First system.

• If claiming Veteran’s Preference, the candidate MUST attach supporting documentation such as the DD214 and your VA Letter that reflects level of disability if applicable. Applicable to career service positions only.
• If claiming Right to First Interview, the candidate MUST attach a copy of your official layoff letter when applying. This only applies to employees laid off from Career Service positions. Applicable to career service positions only.

If you are missing any of the items above, your packet may be held up at the final review step.

NOTE: Responses to qualifying questions must be clearly supported by the state application and any omission, falsification, or misrepresentation in the answering of the qualifying questions will be cause for immediate elimination from the selection process.

OFFICE CONTACT:

Lourine Phillips: 850-717-8553

JOB DESCRIPTION:

This is a professional career service position located in the Division of Early Learning (DEL). This is highly responsible, professional position requiring a substantial degree of independent activity to conduct performance reviews and audits of a complex administrative program for the Division of Early Learning.  This position involves administrative, fiscal and program oversight responsibilities for the statewide delivery of School Readiness and Voluntary Prekindergarten programs.  Knowledge of federal and state statutes and regulations governing the administration of these programs and the ability to interpret and apply those statutes and regulations to ensure compliance is desirable. Requires the ability to analyze effectiveness of service programs and to identify and facilitate changes needed to meet program requirements and improve performance. As a team lead this position provides supervision of activities of the accountability unit’s programmatic reviews of early learning coalitions and is the primary contact for assigned reviews. 

The Division of Early Learning (DEL) is responsible for adopting and maintaining coordinated programmatic, administrative, and fiscal policies and standards for all early learning programs, while allowing a wide range of programmatic flexibility and differentiation. This includes the administration of CCR&R, School Readiness (SR), and Voluntary Prekindergarten Education (VPK) in Florida. This work includes provenance and coordination of 30 local early learning coalitions, representing Florida’s 67 counties, which are the sub-recipients of state and federal funds for implementing the SR and VPK programs. Each early learning coalition has an executive director who oversees the coalition and reports to a board of directors that includes members from both the private and public sectors.  These boards are chaired by an appointee of the Governor.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

(Note: The omission of specific job duties does not preclude management from assigning specific duties not listed herein if such duties are a logical assignment to the position.)

The Florida Department of Education (FDOE) has an open position that is responsible for executing the following functions:

The incumbent participates in Accountability Reviews (to include onsite monitoring) of the early learning coalitions and statewide contracts to evaluate operational effectiveness and ensure compliance with School Readiness, Child Care Resource and Referral, and Voluntary Pre- Kindergarten statutory and regulatory requirements, and Agency Rules and policies.    

• Coordinates and disseminates assignments to team subordinates to facilitate the desk and on-site monitoring and reviews of early learning coalition activities. 
• Provides administrative guidance, mentoring and support to field unit as needed.  Ensure team members meet deadlines.
• Implements and maintains a project tracking system to ensure that programmatic reviews and monitoring reports are completed on time and meet administrative requirements. As assigned, prepare, update and review tracking system for annual monitoring results.
• Maintain communication with supervisors and teams regarding project status and outcomes.
• Coordinate special projects, special reviews, and prepare and analyze the risk assessment/trends process.
• Assist with the design and management of projects and reviews to ensure timely completion. Common field methodologies include surveys, analyses of program outcomes, on-site examinations, interviews, conducting focus groups, file reviews, and review of coalitions service plans, continuity of operations plan (coop), annual reports, fiscal reports, plan amendments, eligibility, data security, reimbursement, and fraud prevention.
• Reviews documents or interface with appropriate coalition or statewide contractors and DEL staff to ensure compliance with applicable VPK and School Readiness statutory, regulatory, and best practice requirements.
• Accurately document findings and prepare written recommendations for implementation of new systems, procedures, or organizational changes.
• Prepare and analyze findings of Accountability reviews to ensure quality, and make recommendations as needed.
• Edit and proofread reports and other written materials.
• Treat customers, the public, and staff with courtesy, respect and dignity and present a positive image. Works together as a team to support the unit, department and/or organization to accomplish the goals of the unit, department and/or organization.
• Makes reasonable effort to adhere to established safety procedures and practices in the workplace.
• Provide related technical assistance, including action planning, attending on and off-site meetings, giving direction for organization development, reimbursement practices and provide explanation of findings to local early learning coalition staff and board members.
• As assigned, prepare, update and review tracking system for annual monitoring results.
• As assigned, prepare, update and review tracking system for annual monitoring results
• Perform onsite monitoring/technical assistance visits (as assigned).
• Assist with preparing periodic risk assessments for ELCs and other entities.
• Perform Annual Fiscal Compliance Monitoring Tasks as needed. This position will serve as secondary staff.
• Reviews policies, procedures, guidelines and state and local plans and evaluate the impact on operations and identify potential problems and recommends appropriate corrective action.
• Assist in the development of monitoring tools and guidance including the development of forms and reports.

Performs other duties as assigned.

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR:

The ideal incumbent must be productive under tight timeframes, balance multiple and competing priorities, and maintain goal-directed behavior and performance sometimes under stressful conditions. The incumbent must interact courteously with others. The performance and behavior of all employees must demonstrate consideration of the workload concerns of others and must not negatively affect productivity and morale of unit. Attendance is an essential function.

The employee is expected to demonstrate knowledge, skills, and ability to prepare, provide, and deliver quality work products representative of the Department's commitment to quality, efficient services and practices.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge, skills and abilities, including utilization of equipment, expected to master in order for the position to meet expectations for evaluations and completion of probationary year:

• Understanding of principles of governmental organization, budgeting, auditing, and accountability;
• Experience in editing and proofreading documents and reports;
• Experience writing for and/or testifying before high-level executives expressing sensitive conclusions and recommendations based       upon quantitative and qualitative data;
• Ability to organize data into logical format for presentation in reports, documents, and other written materials;
• Experience using word processing, presentation, and spreadsheet software, preferably Microsoft versions (WORD, POWERPOINT, and EXCEL);
• Skill in the functionality of database processes and data analysis.  Knowledge of EFS Systems is preferred; 
• Ability to quickly assimilate new policies and procedures and educate others in the implementation of such. 
• Skilled in identifying commonalities, efficiencies, deficits and gaps in processes and procedures;
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing;
• Knowledge of the methods of data collection and analysis is preferred;
• Knowledge of basic management principles and practices;
• Ability to utilize problem-solving technique;
• Knowledge of the Early Learning Programs and the Florida Department of Children and Family system is preferred; 
• Working knowledge of the Federal and State Single Audit Acts and OMB Circulars; and
• 60% Travel is required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

At least 3 years of professional experience working with social services and early childhood education.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Preferences will be given to:

• Applicants who meet both professional and educational experience.
• Applicants who have a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or University.

EDUCATIONAL SUBSITITUIONS:

SB 1310: Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements.

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
• A master’s degree from an accredited college or university

A degree is not required, and can be accepted as an alternative to the number of years of direct experience, not to exceed the following below:

Two years of direct experience for an associate degree.

Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree

Six years of direct experience for a master’s degree.

Seven years of direct experience for a professional degree.

Nine years of direct experience for a doctoral degree.

Related work experience may not be substitute for any licensure, certification, or registration required by an agency and indicated in the advertised job description.

NOTE: Responses to qualifying questions must be clearly supported by the state application and any omission, falsification, or misrepresentation in the answering of the qualifying questions will be cause for immediate elimination from the selection process.

LOCATION:

This position is located in the Turlington building at 325 W. Gaines Street, Tallahassee. No telework option.

Florida Division of Early Learning Mission Statement:

The Division of Early Learning will provide access to high-quality programs and services that build a solid foundation for Florida’s youngest learners to reach their highest potential. The division empowers early childhood educators and families by providing choice in education options, support, and provides resources to ensure Florida’s future leaders are ready to learn, graduate and succeed.

The Division of Early Learning (DEL) is dedicated to providing accessible, affordable, and quality early learning services for the state’s children and families. In partnership with 30 early learning coalitions and Redlands Christian Migrant Association, DEL delivers three programs:

1. The School Readiness Program (SR) offers financial assistance to low-income families for early education and care so they become financially self-sufficient, their young children can be successful in school in the future.
2. Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) is a free educational program that prepares 4-year-olds for success in kindergarten and beyond.
3. Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) is a network that helps families identify and select quality child care options that best meet their needs.

FDOE: Division of Early Learning Website

WORKING FOR THE STATE OF FLORIDA HAS BENEFITS!

For a more complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

LEAVE INFORMATION:

• Annual Leave - All full-time Career Service employees filling established positions earn annual leave in varying increments dependent upon years of creditable service. Employees with up to 5 years of creditable service earn 8.667 hours per month, with 5 to 10 years earn 10.833 hours per month and those with over 10 years of service earn 13 hours per month. Employees in Senior Management Service and Selected Exempt Service positions are credited with 176 hours of annual leave upon appointment. In subsequent years, the annual allotment is credited on the anniversary date of the initial appointment.
• Sick Leave -. Career Service employees earn 8.667 hours of sick leave credits per month.

BACKGROUND SCREENING REQUIREMENT

It is the policy of the Florida Department of Education that applicants for employment/volunteer undergo Level 2 background screening in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, Florida Statutes, as a condition of employment or being permitted to serve as a volunteer. You will be required to provide your Social Security Number to conduct required verifications. No applicant for a designated position will be employed, contracted or permitted to volunteer until the level 2 screening results are received, reviewed, and approved by the Department. Level 2 background screening shall include, but not be limited to, finger printing for all purposes and checks under this requirement, statewide criminal and juvenile records checks through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, federal criminal records check through the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and local criminal records checks through local law enforcement.

SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM (SSS) AND REQUIREMENT

Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion in the Other Personal Services (OPS) or Career Service, or appointment in the Selected Exempt Service (SES) or Senior Management Service (SMS) unless they are registered with the Selective Service System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. Verification of Selective Service registration will be conducted prior to hire. 

For more information, please visit the Selective Service website.

If you experience problems applying online, please call the People First Service Center at (877) 562-7287.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.  Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.