Program Administrator V - Office of Food Systems Resilience (8170)

Overview Of Athena

ATHENA Consulting is an award-winning staffing firm serving state and local governments. Our mission is to make lives better! We make our Clients' Lives Easier by engaging and supporting our clients and partnering with them to be the most knowledgeable staffing partner. We make our Employees' Lives Better by identifying and cultivating their talents and matching these talents with our customers' needs. ATHENA places a high value on customer service, accountability and getting the job done.

Position Summary

The Montgomery County Office of Food Systems Resilience (OFSR) is seeking a Program Administrator V to support the MC Groceries program. This is a full-time, temporary position from July 15, 2026 through October 15, 2026, with the possibility to extend. This position is hybrid, located at 101 Monroe St, 6th Floor, Rockville, MD 20850. The hourly rate is $34.00/hr.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Support the overall program design and implementation of MC Groceries; identify areas for improvement in program processes and suggest solutions; troubleshoot operational issues and work with internal teams to find solutions; keep track of tasks and deadlines to ensure the program runs smoothly.
• Create and update simple process guides to help staff and community partners understand key steps.
• Act as a point of contact between community-based organizations, residents, private sector partners, and the Office of Food Systems Resilience.
• Keep records organized and ensure important information is easy to access; support communication and coordination across teams and with external partners.
• Privacy Compliance: Ensure all OFSR program-related communication and data handling comply with the DHHS Notice of Privacy Practices (NOPP).
• Reporting and Coordination: Regularly communicate with DHHS on program updates, issues, and policy refinements.
• Data Management: Maintain MC Groceries program codes, ensuring each household has a unique identifier; track usage of benefits and provide periodic reports to Montgomery County Government on program performance and participant demographics.
• Manage relationships with community-based organizations (CBOs) that refer participants to the program and assist interested community members with applying, including training and adherence to confidentiality protocols.
• Public Information Management: Maintain up-to-date program information on the county website, outreach materials, and any publicly accessible content regarding MC Groceries; update and manage participant materials (application form, website content, FAQs) to ensure accurate information.
• Solicit feedback and planning support as directed from agency partners and community stakeholders on program design and implementation.
• Attend staff meetings, trainings, and program-related seminars as assigned.
• Monitor the program general email inbox and respond to participant inquiries; lead communications with current and prospective participants about application and enrollment; ensure timely responses and escalate complex issues as needed.
• Respond to prospective and current participant inquiries via email and phone calls, following the program's service delivery model; maintain issue logs; provide application assistance and help residents navigate online service platforms.
• Provide ineligible applicants with referrals to other food assistance benefit programs; help approved participants with benefits use questions and maintain a waitlist of potential new participants.
• Provide information and referrals in collaboration with county employees, contractors, service area colleagues, and nonprofit providers.
• Ensure compliance with county customer service, IT security, privacy, and safety standards.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
  
  

Required Skills And Abilities

• Outstanding written and verbal communication, team collaboration, and cultural competency skills including exceptional listening skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge of food and nutrition assistance programs at a local, state, and/or federal level.
• Prior relevant experience in community-based service delivery and program coordination.
• Ability to work effectively independently in a hybrid work environment.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to handle multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Experience in keeping track of projects and making sure tasks get completed on time.
• Excellent listening and customer service skills, with a calm and professional demeanor to assist complex client population and to interact with a range of partners; kindness and empathy are necessary.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Teams, Outlook, Excel) and online service platforms.
• Ability to work well with community partners and different teams.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to prioritize tasks effectively.
• Ability to problem-solve and find ways to improve day-to-day operations.
• Ability to work collaboratively.
• Solid ability to analyze situations carefully and adopt appropriate courses of action.
• Ability to effectively communicate to large and small group audiences.
  
  

Education And Experience

• Bachelor's degree strongly preferred.
• At least five years of experience in program management, community engagement, and benefits service required.
  
  

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Working hours Monday through Friday, standard business hours.
• Must be able to lift and move up to 25 pounds.
  
  

Successful Athena Employees Will Display The Following Characteristics

• You strive to be the best in your field currently and in the future.
• You like to make your employer look good.
• You find solutions, where others only see problems.
• You are proactive, you make and meet commitments, and you perform your duties exceedingly well.
• You are aware of the employer's needs at all times and are well-versed in what you personally and ATHENA can offer them as a whole.
• You have the ability to work with diverse, integrated, deliverable-driven teams to accomplish the larger mission.
  
  

The Benefits Of Working For Athena Include

• Support from a team of professionals committed to making your life better.
• Medical, dental and vision insurance available for full-time employment
• Health Savings Account
• Pet insurance.
• 401k with a generous employer match.
• ATHENA paid Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance for employee.
• Additional Voluntary Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance for employee, spouses, and children.
• Short and Long Term Disability.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Easy to use employee self-serve HR portal.
• Paid Time Off
  
  

15 days of Paid Time Off (PTO) per year, accrued weekly beginning on your first day of employment. PTO may be used for vacation, sick leave, or personal time.

Recognized Unpaid Holidays (PTO Optional)

• New Year's Day
• Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• Presidents' Day
• Memorial Day
• Juneteenth
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Veterans Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day
  
  

The statements in this Job Posting are intended to describe the general nature and minimum level of work required. The content should not be construed as a complete list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required to meet the criteria for this position. Upon request, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Application for employment is not intended to and does not create a contract or offer of employment and if hired, employment with the company is on an at-will basis and could be terminated at the will of either party.

ATHENA Consulting LLC does not discriminate in hiring based on federally protected classifications to include but not limited to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, marital status or other characteristics protected by law. Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities