JOB DESCRIPTION
POSITION: Subsidy Billing Specialist Best Start for Kids (BSK)-Bilingual Somali
Base Salary Range: $56,309.00-$63,000.00
Expanded Salary Range: $56,309.00-75,137.00
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
REPORTS TO: BSK Subsidy Admin Lead
AGENCY SUMMARY:
BrightSpark Early Learning Services has been at the forefront of the early learning landscape for over 30 years ensuring that all children have equitable access to safe, engaging, and positive early learning experiences that promote school readiness and lifetime success. With a staff of over 140 and a budget of $30 million (99% publicly funded), BrightSpark Early Learning Services provides a broad array of services for families and childcare providers so that they can support the development and well-being of our children.
OPPORTUNITY:
The BSK Subsidy Billing Specialists will coordinate all the operations for the Best Starts for Kids child care subsidy program, including monthly billing and accounts payable process, communication with child care providers, new vendor enrollment, and updating, translating, and maintaining program materials, policies, and rates. This position reports to the BSK Subsidy Admin Lead and works closely with a team of four Billing Specialists.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Provide culturally relevant and inclusive services in person, over the phone, and by email to families, childcare providers, and other community members throughout King County.
- Help develop and maintain clear, responsive, and equitable child care subsidy program materials (handbook, payment authorization, etc.), funding policies, and rates;
- Assess program materials and procedures with a lens of anti-racism and accessibility; and implement continuous quality improvement efforts;
- Organize and share program materials and funding policies in a way that ensures consistent understanding and implementation across team members;
- Become proficient in current program operational procedures and continually assess for improvement opportunities;
- Establish clear and consistent communication with child care providers, establishing understanding and expectations of program participation;
- Complete monthly accounts payable process for the BSK Subsidy Program, including timely preparation and submission of approved child care subsidy invoices;
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the BSK FAS Team, Billing Specialists and Business Services team;
- Support child care providers with invoice preparation and submission;
- Responsible for maintenance of vendor accounts, including but not limited to, banking details, contact information, tax, and W-9 identification.
- Other duties as assigned
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- At least 5 years of relevant experience; OR an Associate of Arts degree in Social Work, or a related field and 4 years of related work experience; OR a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work, or a related field and 3 years of related work experience; OR a master’s degree in social work, and 2 years related job experience.
- Bilingual in English and Somali languages.
- Knowledge of best practices in case management and
- Experience with homeless or mental health services with knowledge of trauma-informed care practices
- Knowledge of early childhood development, childcare, and other early learning supports
- Additional Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Qualifications
- Approach work with a sense of possibility, see challenges as opportunities for creative problem-solving, and work to find creative solutions;
- Effective equitable verbal and customer service skills in-person and over the phone (discretion, patience, & warmth), as well as the ability to adjust communication style for various audiences;
- Effective interpersonal skills including the ability to constructively manage conflict and the ability to respond clearly and effectively to inquiries from stakeholders and the public;
- Effective written communication skills, including proper use of grammar, punctuation, and spelling, with the ability to proofread.
- Experience working with a variety of individuals from diverse backgrounds and income levels, and a demonstrated commitment to diversity, cultural relevancy, and inclusion;
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team or independently, as tasks require;
- Ability to communicate and actively participate in BrightSpark team meetings and committees and external community groups;
- Ability to assess when to exercise discretion and when to reach out with questions;
- Ability to work under deadlines, work on several tasks simultaneously, and organize and prioritize work quickly in response to changing needs;
- Critical thinking and analytical skills;
- Experience with data entry and data management systems;
- Ability to be both fast and accurate in a high-volume setting;
- Attention to detail and commitment to accuracy;
- Knowledge and experience working with MS Office Suite, with strong Excel skills;
- Excellent organizational and prioritization skills.
COMPETENCIES:
- Core Competencies -
- Mission-driven: Demonstrates commitment to the mission and values of the mission.
- Equity mindset: Demonstrates anti-racist values; fosters an inclusive environment that facilitates diversity.
- Communication: Uses skillful written and oral communication with internal staff, teams, and community served; demonstrates empathy and listening.
- Adaptability: Adapts and responds to change; proactively seeks opportunities to be supportive of change that serves our mission
- Ownership and quality of work: Manages own work, and work of teams when relevant, ensuring delivery of successful outcomes.
COMPENSATION:
Base Salary Range: $56,309.00-$63,000.00
Expanded Salary Range: $56,309.00-75,137.00
- FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
- This is a full-time position requiring work during BrightSpark Early Learning Services Business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5 pm, and requires a willingness to work some evenings and weekends.
The salary range indicated in this posting represents the minimum and maximum of the salary range for this position. Base salary will be used when considering compensation for a new employee.
Actual salary will vary depending on factors including, but not limited to, budget available, prior experience, knowledge, skill, and education as they relate to the position’s qualifications, in addition to internal racial equity. The posted salary range reflects just one component of our total compensation package.
Other components of the total compensation package may include participation in group life, health and/or dental insurance, retirement plan, wellness program(s), paid time off, and paid holidays.
HOW TO APPLY:
- A cover letter, describing as specifically as you can how your experience, skills, and values fit with BrightSpark Early Learning Services’ goals and mission as described in this announcement.
- A brief personal equity statement, describing your skills and experience engaging with issues involving diversity, racial equity, and inclusion, and/or in advancing racial equity in organizations. This statement should not exceed 300 words.
BENEFITS:
BrightSpark Early Learning Services’ benefits package includes employer-paid top-tier medical, dental and vision insurance plans for employees, 21 days of PTO per year in addition to 11 paid holidays, 3 paid floating holidays, birthday holiday, and one week-long office closure at year-end, Refresh Fridays in July (BrightSpark Early Learning Services Closure Days), flexible work environment, employer-paid life insurance, short-term disability/illness leave accrual, and 401k with 3% employer match.
WORK LOCATION:
- This position is a hybrid
- Employees BrightSpark Early Learning Services employees in all types of work positions (hybrid, field, etc.) must attend training, meetings, events, or other work commitments at various BrightSpark Early Learning Services office locations or off-site locations in Washington State including New Employee Orientation in Kent, Washington.
EQUAL EQUITY EMPLOYER:
BrightSpark Early Learning Services is an equal-opportunity employer, and we value diversity among our staff. We strongly encourage people of color, immigrants and refugees, people from the LGBTQ community, people with disabilities, and people from other historically marginalized groups to apply.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION & QUESTIONS
- To learn more about BrightSpark Early Learning Services, please visit BrightSpark.org
- BrightSpark Early Learning Services is a grant-funded nonprofit organization. This and all positions are contingent on grant funding being in place and can end based on the expiration of funding.
Required
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Associates or better in Early Childhood Education or related field
Required
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Valid WA Drivers License
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Valid Car Insurance