BCT – Project Manager/Full Stack Engineer – Head Start IT-AMS Platform

About BCT:     
We harness the power of expertise and innovation to solve complex social problems, transform lives, and create lasting change.   
     
BCT is a management consulting firm that tackles complex social problems through data analytics, innovative solutions and program management. We believe complex issues are best solved through collaboration. As a result, we employ a multidisciplinary approach that combines domain expertise, research, evaluation, technology, organizational development, and a passion for change.     
     
To learn more about how we live our values of Ubuntu (“I am because we are”) and our mission, go to our website and follow us on social media.     
https://www.bctpartners.com/    

About the Role:  

The Project Manager/Full Stack Engineer is responsible for providing full-stack technical leadership for the design, development, enhancement, and maintenance of the IT-AMS platform, which supports nationwide monitoring and oversight for the Office of Head Start. This individual will lead a team of developers across front-end and back-end domains, ensuring that all technical solutions are scalable, secure, accessible, and aligned with agile delivery principles and federal compliance requirements. The ideal candidate will be a hands-on leader with deep expertise in modern web technologies, DevSecOps practices, cloud-based deployment, and integration with external systems. 

Scroll down for more details About the Project.  
How You Contribute to the Team: 

• Provide architectural leadership across both front-end and back-end systems, ensuring reliable performance, maintainability, and security of the IT-AMS platform 

• Oversee development of user interfaces using React and the U.S. Web Design System (USWDS), ensuring responsive, accessible, and user-centered design implementation 

• Lead API development, data integration, and service-layer implementation using Java, Node.js, and PostgreSQL 

• Collaborate with product managers, designers, and analysts to translate user needs and functional requirements into technical solutions 

• Ensure compliance with FISMA Low security controls and support continuous Authority to Operate (ATO) documentation and processes 

• Manage CI/CD pipelines, containerization, cloud deployment (e.g., Cloud.gov or AWS), and infrastructure as code 

• Conduct code reviews, mentor development team members, and establish engineering best practices 

• Ensure front-end and back-end systems work seamlessly to support integrated workflows, dashboards, and performance reporting tools 

• Monitor application performance and reliability, implementing monitoring tools and performance optimizations 

• Participate in agile ceremonies including sprint planning, retrospectives, and backlog grooming  

• Perform these and other reasonable tasks as assigned by management in support of BCT’s goals and objectives.  

What You Bring to the Table: 

As no individual candidate meets every qualification, we encourage candidates who meet most of these requirements to apply! 

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical field 

• Minimum of 6 years of experience in full-stack web development, including at least 3 years in a technical leadership or architectural role 

• 2 years of experience in leading teams, including both direct and indirect reports, with a track record of fostering collaboration and ensuring compliance with established guidelines and approaches. 

• Proficient in modern front-end technologies including React, JavaScript, HTML5, and CSS3 

• Proficient in back-end development using Java and/or Node.js, with expertise in building and maintaining RESTful APIs 

• Strong experience with relational databases such as PostgreSQL and understanding of data modeling principles 

• Familiarity with accessibility and usability standards, including WCAG 2.1 and Section 508 compliance 

• Experience with CI/CD pipelines, Git-based version control, Docker, and infrastructure-as-code tools 

• Knowledge of secure coding practices and compliance with federal IT standards including FISMA 

• Experience with monitoring and logging tools (e.g., ELK Stack, Prometheus, or similar) 

• Proven ability to work collaboratively in agile, cross-functional development teams 

• Experience with federal system integration (e.g., HSES, IRIS) and platforms requiring ATO is preferred 

• Familiarity with the U.S. Web Design System (USWDS) and DevSecOps principles is a plus  

• Proven ability to effectively communicate to various audiences when speaking and in writing. 

• Proficiency with computer, Internet, Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint); experience with SharePoint and Monday.com desirable. 

• Experience with video meetings/conferencing (e.g., Zoom, Adobe, MS Teams). 

• Ability to adapt quickly to new applications. 

There are multiple factors considered in determining final pay for a position, including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and competencies that align to the specified role, geographic location, education and certifications as well as contract provisions regarding labor categories that are specific to the position. 

BCT offers a competitive total compensation package that, for this position, includes a base salary between $115,000 and $150,000 along with a generous benefits package. BCT’s benefits include heavily subsidized medical, dental and vision coverage, fully vested 401k plan with company match, company paid life and disability insurance plans, paid family leave, and a generous paid time off policy.  

This is a remote position that is expected to require regular travel to Washington, DC; therefore, ideal candidates will be located in the DC, Maryland and Virginia area.  Though we do have staff in all four time zones, BCT Partners works primarily on Eastern Time.  We support and encourage a strong staff community, leveraging virtual communication tools and collaborative work practices. The African philosophy of Ubuntu (“I am because we are”) is an overarching value that influences our leadership and interactions.      

About the Project:  

The Office of Head Start (OHS), within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), has initiated a critical effort to modernize and sustain its Aligned Monitoring System 2.0 (IT-AMS) — a centralized digital platform that enables comprehensive oversight of Head Start and Early Head Start grant recipients across the United States and territories. This initiative supports OHS’s mandate to ensure grantee compliance, performance, and responsible stewardship of federal funds through approximately 1,600–2,000 reviews annually.   

Through this contract, BCT Partners will provide a full suite of digital services, including OHS technology integration, ongoing system maintenance and enhancement, and technology-related service and support. These efforts will ensure that IT-AMS remains secure, scalable, and responsive to evolving program needs. Leveraging agile and user-centered design principles, the project aims to enhance interoperability with other OHS systems, deliver robust data analytics and dashboards, improve user experience, and provide help desk and training support for diverse stakeholders. Together, these services will empower OHS staff to make data-informed decisions, identify risks, streamline monitoring workflows, and improve outcomes for Head Start children and families.