Careers
Protect our Land, Ascend with Us!
Ascension, LLC is building a bench of experienced on-call consultants for the role of (Project Coordinator / Project Manager – Community Engagement) to support planning-related services for a long-term public-sector client in Maryland. This opportunity is ideal for professionals who prefer flexible, task-order–based work and have experience supporting government, planning, or community-focused initiatives.
Consultants engaged under this opportunity will support discrete, well-defined Task Orders as needs arise. Work may range from short-duration assignments (hours or days) to longer engagements (weeks or months), depending on the scope of each Task Order. There is no guaranteed minimum number of hours, and availability will be coordinated in advance for each assignment.
Assignments may support Community Workshops, Public Engagement, . Work may be performed remotely, virtually, or in person within Prince George’s County and Montgomery County, Maryland, as required by the Task Order.
This role is best suited for professionals who:
- Have strong independent judgment and can work with minimal supervision
- Are comfortable supporting public-sector clients and processes
- Value mission-driven work, flexibility, and professional autonomy
- Are seeking supplemental or portfolio-based consulting work, not full-time employment
Position Summary
Provides Task Order–level leadership for community workshops, public meetings, and engagement initiatives supporting M-NCPPC planning efforts. Serves as the primary point of contact for assigned Task Orders.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage Task Order scope, schedule, and coordination with M-NCPPC staff
- Develop public engagement strategies and work plans
- Facilitate or oversee public meetings and workshops
- Coordinate engagement staff, technicians, and clerical support
- Review engagement summaries and deliverables
Job Features
| Job Category | Project Management |
| MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS | Bachelor’s degree in business, public administration, planning, management, or a related field (or equivalent experience) | Project Management Professional (PMP), CAPM, Agile, or similar certification |
| REQUIRED SKILLS | Minimum of 5 years of experience supporting project coordination or project management efforts | Demonstrated experience supporting government or public-sector clients (federal, state, or local) |
| TECHNICAL SKILLS | Strong organizational, documentation, and time-management skills | Proficiency with Microsoft 365 tools (Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) | Ability to work independently with minimal oversight | Excellent written and verbal communication skills |
| DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS | Experience supporting planning studies, assessments, or program management offices (PMOs) | Familiarity with government reporting requirements and stakeholder engagement processes | Experience working on on-call or task order–based contracts | SharePoint or collaborative workspace experience | Ability to support multiple concurrent efforts with varying levels of urgency |
| SUITABILITY/SECURITY REQUIREMENTS | Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust (Moderate Risk) suitability, if required by the client | Must comply with all client security, confidentiality, and data-handling requirements |
Protect our Land, Ascend with Us!
Ascension is seeking a senior-level, hands-on Fractional Chief Information Officer (CIO) to provide short-term, strategic IT leadership for the St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD). This role exists to guide the execution of an already-developed IT Modernization Roadmap, not to rebuild strategy from scratch or perform hands-on system engineering.
The ideal candidate is a seasoned government IT leader who has served as a CIO, Deputy CIO, IT Director, or equivalent senior advisor in public sector or regulated environments, particularly healthcare, public health, or human services. This individual must be comfortable operating as a single accountable authority, providing clarity, governance, and executive-level judgment across IT modernization, cybersecurity, data governance, and operational improvement efforts.
This role is critical to the success of the engagement. The Fractional CIO will serve as the primary strategic advisor to SMCHD leadership, ensuring modernization activities remain aligned to governance best practices, cybersecurity standards, and realistic execution constraints within a local health department environment.
Summary of the Contractor Role
The Fractional CIO will provide temporary, high-impact IT leadership to support SMCHD during a defined modernization execution window. Working closely with executive leadership, internal IT staff, a Data Engineer, and a Data Modernization Project Manager, the consultant will translate strategic intent into clear governance structures, prioritized workstreams, and actionable guidance.
The ideal candidate is:
- Strategic but pragmatic
- Comfortable operating in ambiguity with minimal supervision
- Decisive, organized, and outcomes-focused
- Skilled at anticipating risks and resolving barriers before they escalate
Rather than performing hands-on technical build activities, this role focuses on direction-setting, oversight, validation, and decision support. The consultant will rely on frameworks such as NIST, public-sector IT governance models, and health data regulatory requirements to guide recommendations.
Tools and environments used will include SMCHD’s Microsoft-based ecosystem, state-issued Google workspace access, documentation tools, and existing IT and cybersecurity artifacts.
Position Day-to-Day (and Periodic) Activities
The activities below reflect the fractional nature of the role and are performed based on project phase and cadence rather than daily repetition.
- Lead and participate in the on-site project kickoff and initial system review
- Review and validate the existing IT Modernization Roadmap and prior assessments
- Establish IT governance structures, decision-making processes, and intake workflows
- Advise executive leadership on IT prioritization, sequencing, and resource alignment
- Translate roadmap initiatives into actionable workstreams for SMCHD staff execution
- Provide oversight and guidance to staff implementing modernization initiatives
- Identify, document, and track IT and cybersecurity risks using a formal risk register
- Assess cybersecurity posture using NIST-aligned frameworks and best practices
- Review and provide recommendations for incident response, disaster recovery, and continuity planning
- Provide strategic guidance on IT architecture, system integration, hosting, and data flows
- Advise on data governance, data management, and analytics improvement efforts
- Prepare bi-weekly progress updates and monthly executive briefings
- Participate in leadership meetings and working sessions as requested
- Document lessons learned, outstanding needs, and transition recommendations at closeout
Job Features
| Job Category | IT, Project Management |
| MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS | Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Information Technology, Public Administration, or a related field | Demonstrated experience leading or advising IT modernization initiatives for public-sector organizations | Working knowledge of healthcare or public health regulatory environments, including HIPAA and data confidentiality requirements | Ability to work independently as a fractional leader with limited administrative support | Relevant professional certifications such as CISSP, CISM, CGEIT, PMP, or ITIL (preferred but not required) |
| REQUIRED SKILLS | 15+ years of progressive experience in IT leadership roles within government or highly regulated environments | Proven expertise in IT governance, risk management, and cybersecurity oversight |
| TECHNICAL SKILLS | Experience applying NIST cybersecurity frameworks in advisory or oversight roles | Strong executive communication and briefing skills |
| DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS | Prior service as a CIO, Deputy CIO, or equivalent senior IT executive | Experience supporting local or state health departments or human services agencies | Familiarity with data modernization initiatives in public health contexts | Experience guiding IT teams through change management and operational transformation |
| SUITABILITY/SECURITY REQUIREMENTS | Ability to meet Maryland Department of Health suitability requirements | Must be eligible to access sensitive but unclassified health and operational data | Willingness to use only SMCHD-issued equipment and comply with all data residency requirements | All work must be performed within the United States |
Protect our Land, Ascend with Us!
Ascension LLC is seeking a Change Management Specialist to support mission-critical technology modernization, application enhancement, and operational support initiatives within large, complex public-sector environments. This role is essential to ensuring that system enhancements, process improvements, and operational changes are successfully adopted by end users, aligned with stakeholder expectations, and executed with minimal disruption to ongoing operations.
The ideal candidate is a strategic, people-centered change practitioner who understands how organizational behavior, communications, training, and leadership alignment intersect with technology delivery. This role is critical to achieving the overall goals of the effort by bridging the gap between technical implementation teams and diverse user communities including program leadership, operational staff, and external stakeholders.
Candidates should assess fit based on experience supporting enterprise IT programs, large-scale user populations, and structured change frameworks within government or similarly regulated environments.
Summary of the Contractor Role
The Change Management Specialist is responsible for planning, executing, and sustaining change management activities that support system enhancements, operational continuity, and user adoption across multiple releases and initiatives. This role supports project and program leadership by ensuring that people, processes, and communications are aligned with technical delivery milestones.
The successful candidate will bring a strong understanding of organizational change management methodologies, stakeholder engagement strategies, training enablement, and communications planning. They must be self-directed, highly organized, and capable of operating in environments where requirements evolve and multiple initiatives progress concurrently.
This role solves for common customer challenges including resistance to change, inconsistent adoption of new tools or processes, communication gaps across stakeholder groups, and insufficient training or readiness planning. Tools commonly used include Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Teams, PowerPoint, survey tools, and collaboration platforms.
Position Responsibilities and Anticipated Activities
The Change Management Specialist will:
- Develop and execute integrated change management strategies aligned to project and release plans
- Conduct stakeholder impact assessments to identify readiness risks, adoption barriers, and mitigation strategies
- Create and maintain change management deliverables including change plans, communication plans, training strategies, and adoption metrics
- Design and deliver targeted communications such as briefings, one-pagers, FAQs, release notes, and executive updates
- Coordinate with project managers, business analysts, and technical leads to align change activities with delivery schedules
- Support training development and rollout, including end-user guides, job aids, and virtual training sessions
- Facilitate stakeholder working sessions, feedback forums, and readiness reviews
- Monitor adoption and feedback, using surveys, usage data, and stakeholder input to refine strategies
- Document lessons learned and contribute to continuous improvement of organizational change practices
- Ensure alignment with client governance, accessibility, and security policies
Job Features
| Job Category | Management Consulting, Project Management |
| MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS | Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Development, Business Administration, Communications, Human Resources, Information Systems, or a related field | Demonstrated experience developing and executing change management and communication plans in public-sector or highly regulated environments | Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing executive-level materials | Change management certification such as Prosci, ACMP, or equivalent |
| REQUIRED SKILLS | 5 years of experience supporting organizational change management for IT, digital transformation, or operational initiatives | Experience working in matrixed project teams alongside technical and program leadership |
| TECHNICAL SKILLS | Proficiency with Microsoft 365 tools including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Teams, and SharePoint |
| DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS | Experience supporting large-scale enterprise systems with diverse user populations | Familiarity with Agile or iterative delivery environments | Experience supporting education, government, or municipal clients | Experience with training facilitation or curriculum development | Familiarity with user adoption metrics, surveys, and feedback analysis |
Ascension LLC is seeking a Data Analyst / Reporting Specialist to support a mission-critical, large-scale enterprise system used daily by tens of thousands of users across New York City public schools. This role is essential to ensuring accurate, timely, and actionable reporting that supports operational continuity, compliance, performance monitoring, and executive decision-making for the OASIS platform.
The ideal candidate brings strong experience in data analysis, reporting, dashboards, and enterprise data environments, preferably within public sector, education, or large-scale IT systems. This role is well-suited for professionals who enjoy transforming complex datasets into clear insights that inform leadership, program operations, and system enhancements.
This position plays a critical role in supporting reporting requirements tied to city, state, and regulatory mandates, operational performance tracking, and user-driven enhancements across OASIS modules.
Summary of the Contractor Role
The Data Analyst / Reporting Specialist supports the design, development, validation, and delivery of standardized and ad hoc reports, dashboards, and analytics for the OASIS system. The role works closely with business analysts, technical teams, and stakeholders to understand reporting needs, validate data sources, and ensure reports are accurate, secure, and aligned with DOE standards.
The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, analytical, and comfortable working in complex data environments with multiple upstream and downstream systems. They are self-driven, able to manage multiple reporting requests concurrently, and capable of working with minimal supervision in a fast-paced, release-driven environment.
This role requires proficiency with enterprise reporting tools, relational databases, and data visualization platforms, along with a strong understanding of data governance, validation, and documentation practices.
Position Responsibilities and Expected Activities
The Data Analyst / Reporting Specialist is expected to perform the following activities over the duration of the contract:
- Analyze business and operational reporting requirements across OASIS modules
- Design, develop, and maintain standard and ad hoc reports to support operational, compliance, and performance needs
- Develop dashboards and visualizations to support leadership briefings and decision-making
- Validate data accuracy, completeness, and integrity across multiple source systems
- Perform data profiling, data quality checks, and reconciliation activities
- Collaborate with business analysts and technical teams to translate requirements into reporting solutions
- Support enterprise reporting platforms and integrations with downstream systems
- Document report logic, data definitions, and refresh schedules
- Support testing and validation of reports during system enhancements and releases
- Respond to stakeholder data requests and support troubleshooting of reporting issues
- Ensure reporting solutions comply with DOE security, privacy, and data governance standards
- Support continuous improvement of reporting processes and analytics capabilities
Job Features
| Job Category | Data Analysis and Analytics, IT |
| MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS | Bachelor’s degree in Data Analytics, Information Systems, Computer Science, Statistics, Business, or a related field| Ability to manage multiple priorities in a structured, deadline-driven environment | Experience supporting public sector, education, or large-scale government IT systems |
| REQUIRED SKILLS | 5 years of experience in data analysis and enterprise reporting roles | Strong experience with relational databases and SQL | Strong analytical, problem-solving, and data validation skills |
| TECHNICAL SKILLS | Experience developing reports and dashboards using enterprise reporting or BI tools (such as Power BI, Cognos, Tableau, or equivalent) | Experience working with large datasets and multiple integrated systems | Experience producing clear documentation and executive-ready reporting outputs |
| DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS | Familiarity with .NET, SQL Server, or enterprise application environments | Experience supporting operational or mission-critical systems | Knowledge of data governance, metadata management, and reporting standards | Experience working in Agile or iterative development environments | Strong communication skills and experience engaging with technical and non-technical stakeholders |
| SUITABILITY/SECURITY REQUIREMENTS | Ability to successfully complete NYC DOE background screening and suitability requirements | Compliance with NYC DOE information security and data protection policies | U.S. work authorization required |
Protect our Land, Ascend with Us!
Ascension LLC is seeking a detail-oriented, methodical, and collaborative QA Analyst / UAT Support Analyst to support a mission-critical, enterprise-scale student information system used daily by thousands of educators and administrators across New York City.
This role is essential to ensuring that system enhancements, defect fixes, and integrations meet defined functional, non-functional, security, accessibility, and performance requirements prior to production deployment. The ideal candidate will bring strong experience in manual and automated testing, UAT coordination, defect management, and cross-functional collaboration within Agile or hybrid delivery environments.
This position is well-suited for a professional who enjoys working at the intersection of technology, process quality, and end-user experience, and who understands the importance of accuracy, compliance, and reliability when supporting systems that impact public-sector operations at scale.
Summary of the Contractor Role
The QA Analyst / UAT Support Analyst will support the planning, execution, documentation, and validation of testing activities across multiple OASIS release cycles. This includes functional testing, regression testing, integration testing, accessibility validation, performance testing coordination, and direct support of User Acceptance Testing (UAT).
The role requires close coordination with developers, business analysts, project managers, and DOE stakeholders to ensure that all enhancements and fixes meet acceptance criteria, align with DOE policies, and are ready for production release.
The ideal candidate is a self-driven problem solver who can work effectively in a fast-paced, multi-release environment, manage multiple testing priorities, and proactively identify risks, defects, and gaps before they impact users. Familiarity with enterprise systems, secure data environments, and public-sector quality standards is essential.
Position Responsibilities and Activities
The QA Analyst / UAT Support Analyst is expected to perform the following activities (not all are daily, but are governed by release cycles and contract hours):
- Develop detailed test plans, test cases, and test scripts aligned to functional and non-functional requirements
- Execute functional, regression, integration, and system testing across OASIS modules
- Coordinate and support User Acceptance Testing (UAT) with DOE stakeholders and end users
- Validate that system enhancements meet defined acceptance criteria and business requirements
- Document test results, defects, risks, and remediation status in approved tracking tools
- Log, track, and manage defects through resolution, retesting, and closure
- Collaborate with developers and technical leads to reproduce issues and validate fixes
- Support accessibility and usability testing in alignment with DOE and WCAG standards
- Participate in Agile ceremonies including sprint planning, backlog grooming, and release readiness reviews
- Review requirements and design documentation to identify test scenarios and potential risks early
- Contribute to release acceptance reports and test summary documentation
- Ensure testing activities comply with DOE security, privacy, and data protection requirements
Job Features
| Job Category | IT, Quality Assurance |
| MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS | Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience | Demonstrated experience with manual testing and UAT coordination | Hands-on experience with defect tracking and test management tools | Experience working with large-scale, integrated systems in secure environments | Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams |
| REQUIRED SKILLS | 5 years of experience supporting QA and testing activities for enterprise applications | Experience creating and executing test plans, test cases, and test scripts | Experience supporting public-sector or education systems |
| TECHNICAL SKILLS | Familiarity with Agile or hybrid SDLC environments | Strong analytical, documentation, and communication skills |
| DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS | Exposure to .NET, SQL Server, Angular, or similar enterprise technology stacks | Experience with test automation tools and frameworks | Familiarity with performance testing and accessibility testing practices | Experience supporting systems with high user volumes and peak usage periods | Knowledge of DOE, state, or municipal IT standards and compliance requirements | ISTQB or other QA-related certifications |
| SUITABILITY/SECURITY REQUIREMENTS | Ability to successfully pass NYC DOE background checks and security screening | Compliance with NYC DOE Third Party Information Security Requirements | Must be legally authorized to work in the United States | Public Trust–level suitability or equivalent DOE clearance (as required by the client) |
Ascension LLC is seeking an experienced Senior Business Analyst to support a mission-critical, large-scale enterprise application environment serving thousands of users and complex stakeholder groups. This role is essential to ensuring that evolving business, policy, and operational needs are accurately translated into clear, testable, and actionable requirements that support system enhancements, operational continuity, and regulatory compliance.
The ideal candidate brings deep experience working at the intersection of business operations and technology, particularly within public sector or highly regulated environments. This individual will play a critical role in gathering, validating, and managing functional and non-functional requirements across multiple releases, ensuring alignment with stakeholder priorities, technical constraints, accessibility standards, and security requirements.
This position is well suited for a candidate who thrives in complex environments, can navigate ambiguity, and is comfortable working closely with project managers, technical leads, developers, QA teams, and government stakeholders to deliver high-quality outcomes.
Summary of the Contractor Role
The Senior Business Analyst serves as a primary liaison between business stakeholders and the technical delivery team. The role focuses on understanding current-state processes, identifying gaps, defining future-state requirements, and ensuring solutions meet operational, policy, and user needs.
This role requires a detail-oriented and analytical professional who can manage competing priorities, anticipate downstream impacts of requirements decisions, and maintain traceability throughout the system development lifecycle. The Senior Business Analyst is expected to support requirements analysis across planning, design, development, testing, and deployment phases, while ensuring compliance with client standards related to accessibility, data security, and system integration.
The successful candidate will demonstrate strong communication skills, sound judgment, and the ability to independently drive requirements activities with minimal supervision.
Position Responsibilities and Anticipated Activities
The Senior Business Analyst will:
- Elicit functional and non-functional requirements through stakeholder interviews, workshops, document reviews, and system analysis
- Analyze existing business processes, workflows, and system functionality to identify gaps, inefficiencies, and improvement opportunities
- Document clear, concise, and testable requirements including business requirements, functional specifications, user stories, use cases, and acceptance criteria
- Validate requirements with business owners, product stakeholders, and technical teams to ensure shared understanding and approval
- Maintain requirements traceability matrices linking business needs to design, development, and testing artifacts
- Collaborate with project managers to support release planning, scope management, and change control activities
- Support solution design discussions by clarifying business rules, data requirements, and integration needs
- Assist QA teams by reviewing test plans, validating test cases, and supporting user acceptance testing activities
- Ensure requirements align with accessibility standards, security policies, and regulatory obligations
- Prepare and deliver briefing materials, status updates, and documentation for client leadership and governance forums
- Contribute to knowledge transfer activities and the development of standardized templates, processes, and documentation
Job Features
| Job Category | Business and Management, Project Management |
| MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS | Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Information Systems, Computer Science, or a related field | Demonstrated experience supporting large-scale enterprise applications with multiple stakeholders and integrations | Experience supporting public sector, education, or other regulated environments is strongly preferred | CBAP, CCBA, PMI-PBA, or Agile BA certification |
| REQUIRED SKILLS | Minimum of 8 years of experience performing business analysis in IT or systems implementation environments | Proven ability to communicate complex concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences |
| TECHNICAL SKILLS | Strong experience with requirements elicitation, documentation, validation, and traceability | Familiarity with SDLC and Agile methodologies | Experience working with tools such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Azure DevOps, Jira, or similar platforms |
| DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS | Master’s degree in a related discipline | Experience with accessibility requirements (e.g., WCAG, Section 508) | Familiarity with identity management, data privacy, and information security considerations | Experience supporting modernization or enhancement of legacy systems | Prior experience working in hybrid or distributed delivery teams |
| SUITABILITY/SECURITY REQUIREMENTS | Ability to successfully pass a client background investigation | Public Trust–level suitability or equivalent client-mandated clearance | U.S. work authorization required |
Protect our Land, Ascend with Us!
Ascension is seeking a detail-oriented Research & Project Support Analyst to provide targeted analytical and documentation support to the Strategic Planning & Stakeholder Engagement Lead. This role is designed for a professional who excels at research, synthesis, and document production and can operate efficiently in a fast-paced, milestone-driven environment.
This role is critical for ensuring that background materials, stakeholder inputs, and data sources are accurately reflected in the final Strategic Plan while allowing the Lead to remain focused on facilitation and strategy development.
Role Summary
The Research & Project Support Analyst provides analytical, writing, and formatting support across the strategic planning lifecycle. The analyst reviews planning documents, supports data synthesis, assists with metric development, and contributes to drafting and polishing report sections and presentation materials.
The ideal candidate is highly organized, responsive, and capable of producing clean, professional deliverables with minimal supervision.
Expected Activities
- Review and summarize background materials, including the Consolidated Plan, Plan 2040, and Impact Reports
- Support synthesis of stakeholder interview notes and engagement findings
- Conduct limited desk research related to funding trends and best practices
- Assist with drafting and editing sections of the Strategic Plan
- Support development and refinement of performance metrics
- Format and proofread the final Strategic Plan and executive presentation
- Track action items and support internal project coordination
Job Features
| Job Category | Data Analysis and Analytics, Research and Analysis |
| MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS | Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Planning, Social Sciences, or a related field | bility to work independently and meet deadlines |
| REQUIRED SKILLS | 3–5 years of experience in research, analysis, or project support roles | Strong writing, editing, and document formatting skills |
| TECHNICAL SKILLS | Proficiency with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel |
| DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS | Experience supporting strategic planning or program evaluation efforts | Familiarity with nonprofit or local government environments | Experience synthesizing qualitative stakeholder input |
Protect our Land, Ascend with Us!
Ascension LLC is seeking a senior-level Strategic Planning Lead / Principal Consultant to serve as the single accountable lead and primary point of contact for the development of Arundel Community Development Services, Inc.’s (ACDS) five-year Strategic Plan.
This role is mission-critical to the success of the engagement. The selected individual will lead the end-to-end strategic planning process, including stakeholder engagement, mission and vision refinement, strategic priority development, performance metric definition, and executive-level facilitation with ACDS leadership and Board members.
The ideal candidate brings deep experience supporting nonprofit, quasi-governmental, or public-sector organizations, with demonstrated success translating complex stakeholder input into clear, actionable strategic direction. This role is best suited for a candidate who is equally strong in strategy formulation, facilitation, synthesis, and executive communication.
Summary of the Contractor Role
The Strategic Planning Lead is responsible for owning and delivering all core outputs of the ACDS Strategic Plan effort. This includes designing and facilitating a targeted stakeholder engagement process (approximately 15 stakeholders plus Board engagement), reviewing and incorporating insights from the County’s recently completed 5-Year Consolidated Plan, and producing a concise, implementation-ready Strategic Plan and executive presentation.
The ideal candidate is:
- Highly organized and self-directed
- Comfortable operating in an ambiguous, strategy-driven environment
- Skilled at anticipating issues, structuring solutions, and managing competing priorities
- Experienced in facilitating discussions with senior leadership and Boards
- Able to translate qualitative input into measurable goals and performance metrics
This role requires strong judgment, discretion, and the ability to represent Ascension professionally as the face of the engagement with ACDS.
Tools and processes used include: Microsoft 365 (Word, PowerPoint, Teams), structured interview and facilitation guides, strategic planning frameworks, and performance measurement methodologies.
Position Day-to-Day / Period-of-Performance Activities
- Lead development of the overall strategic planning approach, workplan, and timeline
- Design and facilitate stakeholder interviews, working sessions, and Board discussions
- Review and synthesize existing planning documents, including the Anne Arundel County 5-Year Consolidated Plan
- Develop updated mission and vision statements aligned with organizational priorities and funding realities
- Define strategic goals and priorities for the five-year planning horizon
- Design and document performance metrics to measure organizational progress and success
- Author and synthesize all written deliverables, including the Strategic Plan and one-page executive summary
- Prepare and deliver executive-level presentations to ACDS Board and staff
- Serve as primary liaison with ACDS leadership, ensuring alignment, responsiveness, and quality
- Manage scope, schedule, and quality to ensure on-time and on-budget delivery
Job Features
| Job Category | Project Management |
| MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS | Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Urban Planning, Public Policy, Nonprofit Management, Business Administration, or a related field | Demonstrated experience facilitating executive leadership and Board-level discussions | Professional certifications such as PMP, Prosci, or strategic planning credentials |
| REQUIRED SKILLS | Minimum 10 years of experience leading strategic planning efforts for nonprofit, public-sector, or quasi-governmental organizations | Proven ability to develop mission, vision, strategic priorities, and performance metrics |
| TECHNICAL SKILLS | Exceptional written and verbal communication skills | Proficiency with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and virtual facilitation tools |
| DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS | Master’s degree in a related discipline | Experience supporting housing, community development, or social services organizations | Familiarity with HUD-funded programs or community development planning | Experience incorporating DEI considerations into strategic planning |
| SUITABILITY/SECURITY REQUIREMENTS | Must be able to pass a standard background check consistent with nonprofit client requirements |
Protect our Land, Ascend with Us!
Ascension is seeking a highly skilled Technical Writer with demonstrated experience supporting public-sector, policy-driven initiatives to translate complex socio-economic program concepts, regulatory language, and stakeholder-informed inputs into clear, defensible, and submission-ready written deliverables.
This role is essential to the success of the engagement because the Commission’s deliverables must be legally precise, operationally clear, and accessible to multiple audiences, including procurement leadership, legal counsel, internal staff, vendors, and community stakeholders. The Technical Writer ensures that all written outputs accurately reflect approved policy intent, comply with Maryland regulatory expectations, and maintain consistency across documents developed by multiple subject matter experts.
The ideal candidate brings strong experience working in government, procurement, policy, or compliance-heavy environments, understands how to structure formal reports and regulations, and can work independently with minimal supervision while coordinating closely with SMEs, analysts, and project leadership.
Summary of the Contractor Role
The Technical Writer supports both Local and Small Business Preference Program and MBE Preference Program by developing, editing, and finalizing core written deliverables required under the Scope of Work. This includes program documentation, draft and final regulatory language, stakeholder-facing materials, executive summaries, implementation guidance, and supporting reports.
This role is not a marketing or communications writer. It requires a disciplined technical writer who can:
- Synthesize complex inputs from legal, policy, data, and stakeholder sources
- Preserve accuracy and intent while improving clarity, structure, and readability
- Ensure consistency across multiple documents and versions
- Apply strong version control and document management practices
The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, structured, and methodical, with the ability to anticipate gaps, resolve ambiguities in source material, and ask precise clarification questions when needed. The Technical Writer is expected to support tight review cycles, respond quickly to feedback, and ensure all deliverables are review-ready and defensible.
What This Role Is Expected to Solve / Support
- Reduces risk of misinterpretation or inconsistency across policy and regulatory documents
- Ensures stakeholder-facing materials accurately reflect approved program decisions
- Supports legal defensibility through precise language and structured documentation
- Improves readability and usability of complex socio-economic program materials
Tools and Processes Used
- Microsoft Word (advanced formatting, tracked changes, styles, tables of contents)
- Microsoft Excel (light review of referenced data tables and exhibits)
- Microsoft PowerPoint (editing and structuring executive briefings and summaries)
- Version control and document review workflows (SharePoint or similar)
- Style guides, regulatory drafting conventions, and QA/QC checklists
Position Day-to-Day Activities (or Deliverable-Driven Activities)
- Draft, edit, and finalize program documentation for Local/Small and MBE Preference Programs
- Translate policy decisions, regulatory analysis, and stakeholder inputs into clear written narratives
- Edit and format draft and final procurement regulation amendments, including clean and redlined versions
- Ensure consistency of terminology, definitions, and program concepts across all deliverables
- Incorporate reviewer comments from Ascension leadership, legal reviewers, and client stakeholders
- Prepare executive summaries, implementation guidance, and supporting appendices
- Apply version control, document naming conventions, and review tracking protocols
- Coordinate with Program Manager, Policy Analysts, and SMEs to resolve content gaps
- Ensure all written deliverables are submission-ready and professionally formatted
Job Features
| Job Category | Public Administration |
| MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS | Bachelor’s degree in English, Technical Writing, Public Policy, Communications, or a related field | Demonstrated experience drafting or editing formal reports, policies, regulations, or compliance documentation |
| REQUIRED SKILLS | Minimum 5 years of experience as a Technical Writer supporting government, public-sector, or policy-driven initiatives | Experience working with SMEs and incorporating technical feedback into final documents |
| TECHNICAL SKILLS | Strong command of written English with proven attention to detail and accuracy | Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Word with advanced formatting skills |
| DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS | Experience supporting socio-economic programs, supplier diversity initiatives, or procurement-related efforts | Familiarity with state or local government regulatory drafting processes | Experience supporting multi-phase or multi-stakeholder consulting engagements | Prior experience supporting Maryland or other state/local government clients | Comfort working independently in a remote, deadline-driven environment |
| SUITABILITY/SECURITY REQUIREMENTS | Must be able to handle sensitive but unclassified procurement and policy information | Must sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) |
Ascension is seeking a Business Process Analyst with demonstrated experience analyzing, documenting, and improving public-sector procurement and administrative processes to support the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission’s Office of Supplier Diversity and Inclusion. This role is critical to translating policy and program design decisions into operationally feasible workflows, procedures, and implementation guidance that M-NCPPC staff can execute consistently across departments and counties.
The ideal candidate brings a strong understanding of how government procurement organizations function in practice, including internal controls, approval chains, documentation requirements, and system touchpoints. This position is well suited for a professional who excels at working behind the scenes to identify inefficiencies, clarify roles and responsibilities, and ensure that newly designed Local/Small Business and MBE Preference Programs are implementable, auditable, and sustainable.
This role is important to the overall success of the effort because it reduces implementation risk by ensuring that preference program requirements do not remain theoretical, but are instead embedded into clear, defensible business processes aligned with existing Commission operations.
Summary of the Contractor Role
The Business Process Analyst supports both Local/Small Business Preference Program and MBE Preference Program by analyzing current-state procurement and administrative workflows and documenting future-state processes needed to support new preference program requirements.
Working under the direction of the Prime Contractor and in coordination with Ascension’s policy, data, and stakeholder engagement staff, the Analyst evaluates how vendor eligibility, preference application, compliance monitoring, and reporting activities are currently performed and identifies where changes, controls, or new steps are required.
The ideal candidate is methodical, detail-oriented, and comfortable operating in complex, regulated environments where processes vary across units and documentation quality is inconsistent. The Analyst must be able to work with partial information, reconcile differences between written procedures and actual practice, and clearly document assumptions and constraints.
This role is expected to solve and support the following:
- Reduce implementation risk by aligning new preference programs with existing procurement operations
- Prevent process breakdowns caused by unclear roles, undocumented steps, or inconsistent application
- Support legally defensible implementation through documented workflows and controls
- Provide M-NCPPC staff with clear process guidance they can operationalize and sustain
Tools and processes commonly used in this role include:
- Process mapping tools (Visio, Lucidchart, or equivalent)
- Microsoft Excel and Word for workflow documentation
- Structured interviews and working sessions with procurement and OSDI staff
- Review of procurement regulations, SOPs, and forms
- Change-impact analysis techniques
Position Day-to-Day Activities
- Analyze current-state procurement, vendor management, and compliance workflows related to socio-economic programs
- Conduct structured working sessions with OSDI and procurement staff to validate how processes operate in practice
- Document end-to-end workflows supporting Local/Small and MBE Preference Program activities
- Identify process gaps, redundancies, control weaknesses, and implementation risks
- Develop future-state process maps aligned with approved program designs and regulatory revisions
- Define roles, responsibilities, handoffs, and approval points within revised workflows
- Support development of SOPs, process narratives, and implementation guidance materials
- Coordinate with policy, data, and technical staff to ensure workflows align with reporting and compliance needs
- Support change management by documenting process impacts and transition considerations
Job Features
| Job Category | Business and Management |
| MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS | Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Information Systems, or a related field | Demonstrated experience supporting government procurement, contracting, or compliance-driven programs |
| REQUIRED SKILLS | Minimum 5 years of experience performing business process analysis or business process improvement in the public sector | Experience documenting workflows, SOPs, or operational procedures |
| TECHNICAL SKILLS | Strong analytical and documentation skills with attention to detail | Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) |
| DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS | Experience supporting supplier diversity, small business, or socio-economic preference programs | Familiarity with Maryland or local government procurement environments | Experience supporting regulatory or policy-driven process changes | Exposure to change management or implementation planning efforts | Certification such as CBAP, CCBA, Lean Six Sigma, or similar (preferred, not required) |
| SUITABILITY/SECURITY REQUIREMENTS | Ability to pass a basic background check | Must be able to handle sensitive but unclassified procurement and vendor data |
Ascension is seeking a detail-oriented, analytically disciplined Data & Utilization Analyst to support the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) in the development of a Local and Small Business Preference Program.
This role is critical to establishing a credible, defensible baseline of current vendor participation across M-NCPPC procurement activities. The analyst’s work directly informs program design decisions, stakeholder discussions, regulatory drafting, and implementation planning. Candidates should be motivated by applied public-sector analysis, not abstract research, and should be comfortable working with real-world procurement datasets that may be incomplete, inconsistently coded, or decentralized.
This position is ideal for professionals with experience in public procurement data, supplier diversity analytics, utilization reporting, or government program evaluation who want to contribute to policy-shaping work without serving in a policy-setting role.
Summary of the Contractor Role
The Data & Utilization Analyst supports Local/Small Business Preference Program by analyzing Commission-provided procurement, contract, and vendor datasets to assess current participation levels of local and small businesses.
Working under the direction of Ascension’s Project Lead, the analyst focuses on data execution, validation, interpretation, and documentation, not stakeholder facilitation or regulatory drafting. The role requires strong analytical judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to clearly explain assumptions, limitations, and trends so that findings can withstand internal, legal, and public scrutiny.
The ideal candidate is methodical, self-directed, and comfortable translating raw procurement data into clear findings that support implementation-ready decisions, rather than aspirational targets.
This role is expected to solve/support the following:
- Establish a factual baseline of current local and small business participation
- Identify participation gaps and concentration trends across vendor categories
- Reduce program risk by ensuring data-supported, defensible findings
- Support benchmarking and program design without overstating data precision
Tools and Processes Commonly Used
- Microsoft Excel (advanced formulas, pivot tables, structured analysis)
- Data normalization and validation techniques
- Procurement and vendor classification review
- Written analytical summaries and data exhibits
Position Day-to-Day Activities (As Needed Based on LOE)
The contractor will:
- Analyze Commission-provided procurement, contract award, and vendor datasets to assess current utilization patterns
- Validate data for completeness, consistency, and usability, documenting limitations and assumptions
- Categorize vendors by size, locality, and other attributes relevant to Phase I program design
- Develop summary tables, charts, and baseline metrics for internal review and stakeholder discussion
- Identify participation trends, gaps, and concentration risks affecting local and small businesses
- Document analytical methodology in plain language suitable for inclusion in reports and briefings
- Coordinate with the project team to align analysis with stakeholder engagement and program design timelines
- Revise findings based on feedback from project leadership and legal considerations
Job Features
| Job Category | Data Analysis and Analytics |
| MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS | Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Public Policy, Data Analytics, Business, Statistics, or a related field | Demonstrated experience analyzing procurement, vendor, contract, or utilization data | Ability to clearly document analytical assumptions and limitations |
| REQUIRED SKILLS | Minimum of 5 years of experience performing applied data analysis in a public-sector, quasi-governmental, or regulated environment| Strong written communication skills for non-technical audiences |
| TECHNICAL SKILLS | Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel |
| DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS | Experience supporting supplier diversity, small business, or preference programs | Familiarity with public procurement systems or vendor reporting structures | Experience working with imperfect or legacy datasets | Knowledge of Maryland or local government procurement environments | Experience supporting program design or policy development initiatives |
| SUITABILITY/SECURITY REQUIREMENTS | Ability to handle sensitive procurement and vendor information | Must comply with client confidentiality and data-handling requirements |
Protect our Land, Ascend with us!
Ascension is seeking a senior-level Socio-Economic Subject Matter Expert (SME) with deep, practical experience designing, evaluating, and advising on local, small business, and Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) preference programs in public-sector procurement environments.
This role is critical to ensuring that M-NCPPC’s socio-economic business preference programs are legally defensible, data-informed, operationally feasible, and aligned with Maryland procurement law and best practices. The SME will serve as a trusted advisor to the project team, providing expert judgment, validation of analytical findings, and applied insight throughout both phases of the work.
The ideal candidate brings:
- Demonstrated expertise in supplier diversity, small business programs, and MBE frameworks
- Experience translating disparity studies, utilization data, and benchmarking into actionable program structures
- Credibility with procurement professionals, legal reviewers, and community stakeholders
- The ability to operate effectively in an advisory capacity without assuming day-to-day project management responsibility
This position is well-suited for an experienced practitioner who prefers focused, high-impact advisory work and is comfortable operating in a part-time, milestone-driven consulting role.
Summary of the Contractor Role
The Socio-Economic SME provides subject-matter leadership and expert advisory support across the design and implementation planning of M-NCPPC’s two-phase socio-economic business preference program:
- Phase I: Local and Small Business Preference Program
- Phase II: Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Preference Program
Working under the direction of Ascension’s Project Lead and in coordination with the Prime Contractor, the SME will review analyses, validate assumptions, advise on policy and regulatory considerations, and support stakeholder-facing activities where senior expertise is required.
The role is not responsible for drafting all deliverables but is accountable for ensuring technical accuracy, legal defensibility, and alignment with proven socio-economic program models. The SME is expected to anticipate risks, identify gaps, and recommend practical solutions grounded in real-world implementation experience.
The ideal candidate is:
- Highly analytical yet pragmatic
- Comfortable working with incomplete or evolving information
- Confident providing constructive challenge and expert recommendations
- Self-directed and able to manage time effectively with minimal supervision
What This Role Is Expected to Solve, Resolve, or Support
- Reduces program risk by ensuring preference program designs are grounded in precedent and law
- Strengthens defensibility of program recommendations prior to legal and executive review
- Bridges the gap between analytical findings and implementable policy decisions
- Ensures stakeholder engagement outputs reflect best practices and equity principles
- Supports the translation of disparity study findings into compliant, actionable program elements
Tools and Processes Used
- Review of procurement and vendor utilization datasets (summary-level)
- Benchmarking matrices and comparative jurisdictional analyses
- Draft program frameworks, eligibility criteria, and compliance models
- Regulatory redlines and policy concept papers (review and advisory input)
- Virtual collaboration tools (Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, document review platforms)
Position Responsibilities and Anticipated Activities
The SME’s activities are milestone-driven and may include, but are not limited to:
- Advise on the design of Local/Small Business and MBE preference program structures
- Review and validate utilization analyses, benchmarking results, and needs assessments
- Interpret disparity study findings and advise on appropriate remedial program elements
- Evaluate proposed eligibility criteria, thresholds, and compliance mechanisms
- Assess alignment of program concepts with Maryland procurement law and Title 14 requirements
- Provide expert input on certification pathways, reciprocity considerations, and reporting models
- Participate in select internal and external stakeholder sessions as a senior technical resource
- Support executive briefings by reviewing key messages and recommendations
- Identify risks related to implementation, enforcement, or stakeholder acceptance
- Recommend refinements to improve clarity, feasibility, and long-term sustainability
Job Features
| Job Category | Public Administration |
| MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS | Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, Business, Law, Economics, or a related field | Demonstrated experience advising on or supporting preference or reserve programs for public agencies | Excellent written and verbal communication skills | Graduate degree (Master’s or Juris Doctor) in a relevant discipline |
| REQUIRED SKILLS | Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in one or more of the following areas; Supplier diversity or socio-economic program design; Public-sector procurement policy and compliance; Small business or MBE program administration | Proven ability to provide expert advisory input to senior leaders and project teams | Experience working with Maryland state or local government entities |
| TECHNICAL SKILLS | Strong familiarity with disparity studies and their application to program design |
| DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS | Familiarity with MBE certification programs and reciprocity models (e.g., MDOT or comparable systems) | Experience supporting regulatory or policy drafting efforts (review or advisory role) | Background participating in or facilitating stakeholder engagement related to equity or procurement reform | Professional affiliations related to supplier diversity, procurement, or public administration |
| SUITABILITY/SECURITY REQUIREMENTS | Ability to pass a background check as required by M-NCPPC |
Protect our Land, Ascend with Us!
Ascension is seeking a Training & Communications Specialist with demonstrated experience designing and delivering public-sector training, outreach, and implementation guidance for compliance-driven programs. This role is critical to ensuring that M-NCPPC internal staff, vendors, and external stakeholders clearly understand and consistently apply the Local/Small Business Preference Program (Phase 1) and the MBE Preference Program (Phase 2).
The ideal candidate brings a strong blend of instructional design, stakeholder communications, and change enablement experience, particularly in environments where new policies, regulations, or program rules must be operationalized across diverse audiences. This role is not purely instructional; it directly supports program adoption, risk reduction, and implementation success by translating complex policy and regulatory requirements into accessible, accurate, and actionable training and communications materials.
This position is well suited for professionals with experience in supplier diversity programs, procurement training, workforce or compliance training, or government program rollout communications, who are comfortable working independently while coordinating closely with program leadership and subject matter experts.
Summary of the Contractor Role
The Training & Communications Specialist supports Training and Materials, with direct linkage to Phase 1 program adoption and Phase 2 MBE outreach and implementation readiness. The Specialist is responsible for developing, refining, and delivering training content and communications that ensure stakeholders understand program purpose, eligibility requirements, compliance expectations, and operational impacts.
This role requires a detail-oriented, organized professional who can synthesize regulatory and program design inputs from subject matter experts and convert them into clear training curricula, workshop materials, job aids, FAQs, slide decks, and written guidance. The Specialist must be capable of tailoring content for multiple audiences, including procurement staff, internal program administrators, vendors, and community stakeholders.
The ideal candidate is self-directed, responsive, and comfortable working in an evolving environment where materials are refined as program decisions are finalized. The role directly supports risk mitigation by reducing misunderstanding, inconsistent application, and implementation friction during program rollout.
What this role is expected to solve/support:
- Reduces confusion and misinterpretation of new preference program requirements
- Supports consistent application of Local/Small and MBE preference rules
- Improves staff and vendor readiness prior to program launch
- Enables effective change management through structured communications
- Ensures training materials are accurate, accessible, and aligned with adopted policies
Tools and processes commonly used:
- Microsoft PowerPoint, Word, Excel
- Virtual training platforms (e.g., MS Teams, Zoom)
- Learning support artifacts (job aids, FAQs, checklists)
- Basic accessibility and document formatting standards (e.g., Section 508–aware practices)
Position Activities (Anticipated Responsibilities)
The following activities are representative of the work performed over the duration of the role and may vary by phase and milestone:
- Develop training curricula and session outlines aligned to approved program requirements
- Translate program policies, procedures, and regulatory language into clear instructional content
- Create training materials including slide decks, facilitator guides, participant handouts, and job aids
- Prepare written communications such as FAQs, implementation guidance, and outreach summaries
- Support delivery of internal staff workshops and vendor-facing training sessions
- Coordinate with program leads to ensure materials reflect final policy and regulatory decisions
- Adapt materials based on stakeholder feedback and evolving implementation needs
- Ensure consistency of messaging across training, outreach, and written communications
- Document training sessions and materials for reuse and reference during implementation
Job Features
| Job Category | Learning & Development |
| MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS | Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Education, Public Administration, Business, or a related field |
| REQUIRED SKILLS | Minimum 5–7 years of experience supporting training, communications, or change enablement in public-sector or regulated environments | Experience supporting multi-stakeholder audiences, including internal staff and external partners | Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools and virtual collaboration platforms | Experience supporting supplier diversity, small business, MBE/DBE, or procurement-related programs |
| TECHNICAL SKILLS | Demonstrated experience developing training materials for policy, compliance, procurement, or program implementation initiatives | Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to simplify complex requirements |
| DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS | Familiarity with government preference programs or compliance-driven initiatives | Experience delivering or supporting virtual and hybrid training sessions | Knowledge of adult learning principles and instructional design best practices | Experience incorporating accessibility considerations into training materials |
| SUITABILITY/SECURITY REQUIREMENTS | Ability to pass M-NCPPC background screening requirements | No clearance required |
Protect our Land, Ascend with Us!
Role Summary
The Systems Engineering SME provides direct technical advisory support to CG-SID-9 for Call Order 1 by supporting systems engineering policy oversight, technical reviews, and acquisition milestone activities.
This role ensures that systems engineering considerations are properly integrated into acquisition planning and decision-making, and that technical analyses produced for CG-SID-9 are rigorous, defensible, and aligned with federal acquisition standards.
Day-to-Day Responsibilities
- Review and assess systems engineering documentation
- Support acquisition reviews and milestone decisions
- Identify technical risks and gaps
- Develop technical briefings and recommendations
- Advise CG-SID-9 leadership on best practices
- Support Red Team and Senior Review activities
Job Features
| Job Category | IT |
| MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS | Master’s degree in Engineering or related field |
| REQUIRED SKILLS | Minimum 10 years of systems engineering experience |
| TECHNICAL SKILLS | Experience supporting federal acquisition programs |
| DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS | INCOSE certification | Experience with USCG, DHS, or DoD systems | Experience supporting GAO-facing reviews |
| SUITABILITY/SECURITY REQS | DHS Suitability (Tier 1 or higher) |
Protect our Land, Ascend with Us!
Role Summary
The Systems Engineering SME provides direct technical advisory support to CG-SID-9 for Call Order 1 by supporting systems engineering policy oversight, technical reviews, and acquisition milestone activities.
This role ensures that systems engineering considerations are properly integrated into acquisition planning and decision-making, and that technical analyses produced for CG-SID-9 are rigorous, defensible, and aligned with federal acquisition standards.
Day-to-Day Responsibilities
- Review and assess systems engineering documentation
- Support acquisition reviews and milestone decisions
- Identify technical risks and gaps
- Develop technical briefings and recommendations
- Advise CG-SID-9 leadership on best practices
- Support Red Team and Senior Review activities
Job Features
| Job Category | Engineering |
| MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS | Master’s degree in Engineering or related field |
| REQUIRED SKILLS | Minimum 10 years of systems engineering experience |
| TECHNICAL SKILLS | Experience supporting federal acquisition programs |
| DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS | INCOSE certification | Experience with USCG, DHS, or DoD systems | Experience supporting GAO-facing reviews |
| SUITABILITY/SECURITY REQS | DHS Suitability (Tier 1 or higher) |