Program Specialist, Project Thrive

Summary

The Project Thrive Program Specialist supports the day-to-day implementation of the federally funded Project Thrive initiative under the direction of the Coordinator of Project Thrive. The Program Specialist facilitates grant requirements, districtwide implementation, community partnerships, governance, performance monitoring, and sustainability activities associated with Project Thrive’s three-tiered mental and behavioral health framework.

The Program Specialist works across district departments, schools, and community partners to ensure grant activities are implemented as approved, integrated within existing district systems, and completed within established timelines and performance expectations.

This position is grant-funded, and continued employment is contingent upon the availability of grant funding.

Essential Duties

• Coordinates implementation of Project Thrive in accordance with the approved federal award, strategic plan, implementation timeline, and district priorities
• Develops and maintains the comprehensive project implementation plan, including required activities, milestones, deliverables, responsible parties, and federal deadlines
• Coordinates SAMHSA grant requirements, programmatic reporting, continuation of materials, technical assistance activities, and documentation of grant deliverables
• Supports integration of Project Thrive’s three-tiered behavioral health framework within GaMTSS and existing district prevention, intervention, crisis, family engagement, and student-support systems
• Coordinates cross-functional implementation activities involving district departments, schools, community behavioral health providers, and other project partners
• Coordinates the Project Thrive Advisory Board, Community Collaborative, implementation teams, and other project workgroups; tracks decisions and actions through completion
• Supports development and implementation of community-provider agreements, referral protocols, performance expectations, and collaborative service-delivery processes
• Monitors project implementation, provider capacity, referral and service-access patterns, training participation, and other performance indicators in collaboration with project staff
• Identifies implementation barriers, risks, and unmet needs and develops recommendations for continuous improvement and leadership consideration
• Coordinates development and annual refinement of the Project Thrive Sustainability Plan and supports integration of effective grant-funded practices into ongoing district operations
• Collaborates with the Specialist I, Project Thrive to align implementation, fiscal, procurement, evaluation, and reporting activities
• Establishes and maintains productive relationships with district personnel, families, community organizations, behavioral health providers, state agencies, and other stakeholders
• Prepares implementation updates, presentations, reports, and recommendations for the coordinator, district leadership, Advisory Board, SAMHSA, and other stakeholders
• Maintains appropriate project documentation and confidentiality in accordance with federal requirements, district policy, and applicable regulations
• Coordinates professional learning activities such as leadership cohorts, training sessions, and micro credentialing opportunities
• Implements grant funded activities in alignment with the approved project plan and maintain a detailed plan outlining responsibilities, tasks, and timelines
• Convenes regularly with the grant management team to monitor progress, address challenges, and ensure fidelity to the grant
• Manages procurement processes, including the RFQ process for mental‑health service partners
• Oversees the grant budget, purchasing processes, and documentation of all expenditures
• Ensures compliance with federal reporting requirements by collecting and analyzing data, preparing progress and financial reports, and submitting them for approval and to the funder
• Monitors program indicators and present findings to district leaders and stakeholders
• articipates in required SAMHSA meetings, technical assistance, professional learning, and grant activities
• Performs other duties as assigned by the appropriate administrator

Required Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Certification/Licensure

None required

Experience Qualifications

Minimum 3 years of experience working in student support services, behavioral health, program implementation, program coordination, grant management, or related fields. Experience collaborating with school psychologists, social workers, school counselors, crisis intervention teams, and/or community mental health providers preferred. Experience working in K-12 educational settings preferred

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Ability to plan, coordinate, and execute complex, interdependent programs or initiatives
• Ability to successfully manage multiple priorities, projects, and responsibilities
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills
• Proficiency with data systems, spreadsheets, and project management tools
• Knowledge of project management, program implementation, and continuous improvement practices
• Knowledge of school-based mental and behavioral health, prevention, intervention, and multi-tiered systems of support
• Ability to coordinate cross-functional teams and collaborate across departments and partner organizations
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines with independence

Working Conditions

• Normal office environment
• Requires local travel between schools and administrative sites as needed

Physical Demands

• Routine physical activities typical of work in an office environment