Child Support Systems APD/Budget Review Specialist

This position provides support for state child support systems modernization initiatives funded through federal financial participation (FFP). The role supports review and analysis of Streamlined Feasibility Studies, Advance Planning Documents (APDs), and system modernization activities to ensure compliance with federal requirements, sound project management practices, and effective stewardship of federal resources. The position also provides guidance and coordination to strengthen state systems planning, operational efficiency, and program performance.

Responsibilities:

• Coordinate the review and approval of Streamlined Feasibility Studies (SFS)
  • Assess completeness, methodology, system alternatives reviewed, risk assessment, cost-benefit analysis results, schedule, and preferred alternative choice, looking at technical, operational and funding feasibility;
  • Communicate with state project leaders during review as needed
  • Consolidate review comments, document approval conditions, and manage follow-up with grantees and the federal program office.
  • Ensure the SFS documentation can appropriately answer Implementation APD requirements
• Coordinate the review and approval of Planning APDs, Implementation APDs, As Needed APDs and Annual APDUs, but not OAPDs
  • Assess completeness, budget accuracy, schedule feasibility, risk documentation, acquisition strategy, and compliance with federal requirements
  • This includes analyzing lifecycle costs, contract tables, funding requests, cost allocation information, projected versus actual expenditures, unsupported costs, procurement risks
  • Document issues affecting scope, schedule, cost, risk, security, or procurement and track corrective actions to resolution.
  • Communicate with state project leaders during review as needed
  • Consolidate review comments, document approval conditions, and manage follow-up with grantees and the federal program office.
  • Ensure that prior approval conditions are met prior to approving FFP expenditures
  • Review APD budget and expenditures information with actual and projected expenditures on the quarterly OCSE-396 forms
• Review OAPD documents and perform similar duties cited above, as needed upon request
• Coordinate with RFP reviewers to ensure continuity of solutions and documentation 
• Coordinate with contract reviewers to ensure continuity of solutions and documentation 
• Draft final approval letters for OCSE Commissioner review and approval
• Coordinate with IV&V vendors as needed
• Manage orderly document retention in DSTS SharePoint site
• Collaborate with Division of Regional Operations and other federal program staff as needed
• Assist with communication to OCSE Commissioner on state SFS and APD statuses as well as any issues
• Assist with State Characteristics Matrix system updates approximately every six months

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated experience and extensive knowledge of federal APD requirements, including 45 CFR Part 95, 45 CFR 307, and the 2010 State Systems APD Guide.
• Practical knowledge of OCSE-396 APD reporting requirements, including experience with coordinating APD expenditures and 396 expenditures.
• Knowledge of and experience with cost-benefit analysis
• Experience with performing Streamlined Feasibility Studies (or the former 1993 Feasibility Study process)
• Experience with statewide child support automated system projects including practical experience with project management, risk management, SLDC choices, conversion and data management.
• Knowledge of child support modern information technology alternatives
• Practical experience with child support programs and statewide systems at the state and/or local level
• Strong organizational skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including report development and ability to communicate complex concepts in a simple manner.
• Understanding of HHS, GSA, OMB, NIST, and FIPS policies, standards, and guidelines to develop and implement IT policies, standards, and operational processes.
• Knowledge of the software development lifecycle (SDLC), release and configuration management, automated development tools, security risk assessments, test planning, independent testing, and vulnerability assessments.
• Knowledge of industry standards and best practices in project management, systems and software engineering, IT infrastructure, procurement, and acquisition, including PMBOK, CMMI, and IEEE standards.