Careers
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Ascension LLC is seeking an experienced Project Manager III to provide senior-level, contract-wide leadership in support of the DHS USCG C5ISC Strategic Acquisition Services effort. This role is responsible for overseeing schedule, scope, quality, and performance across all acquisition strategy, acquisition business management, and continuous process improvement (CPI) task areas. The ideal candidate is a seasoned federal project management professional with demonstrated success managing complex, multi-workstream efforts in highly regulated acquisition environments.
This position plays a critical role in ensuring contractual compliance, timely delivery of high-quality deliverables, proactive risk management, and consistent performance reporting in alignment with Coast Guard and DHS acquisition policies and expectations.
Summary of the Contractor Role
The Senior Project Manager provides overall management and integration oversight for all contractor activities performed under the Strategic Acquisition Services contract. This individual serves as the primary point of coordination across acquisition planning, CPI initiatives, and acquisition business management support activities. The role ensures disciplined project execution through standardized project management practices, performance metrics, quality control procedures, and risk mitigation strategies.
The Project Manager III works closely with the Government COR, Contracting Officer, Acquisition Team Lead, CPI Advisor, and other key stakeholders to maintain alignment with mission priorities and to support continuous improvement in C5ISC acquisition outcomes.
Day-to-Day / Expected Activities
- Lead contract-wide project management activities, including integrated master scheduling, task planning, and performance tracking
- Manage scope, schedule, cost, and quality across all PWS Task Areas, including Tasks 2.1 through 2.3
- Oversee quality control processes to ensure all deliverables meet contractual, regulatory, and Coast Guard standards
- Coordinate closely with the Acquisition Team Lead and CPI Advisor to ensure alignment across acquisition strategy and CPI initiatives
- Prepare and deliver monthly, quarterly, and ad hoc leadership briefings and performance reports
- Identify, assess, and manage program risks, issues, and dependencies, implementing mitigation strategies as needed
- Monitor contract performance metrics and staffing levels to ensure compliance with Service Level and Acceptable Quality Level requirements
- Serve as the primary escalation point for project issues requiring senior-level resolution
- Support government reviews, progress meetings, and audits related to contract performance
Job Features
| Job Category | Project Management |
| MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS | Master’s degree in business, management, public administration, or a related field | Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent | Demonstrated experience managing federal acquisition, program management, or operational support contracts |
| REQUIRED SKILLS | Minimum of ten (10) years of progressive project or program management experience | Prior experience supporting DHS and or U.S. Coast Guard programs |
| TECHNICAL SKILLS | Strong working knowledge of federal acquisition environments, including DHS and USCG governance structures |
| DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS | Experience leading or overseeing continuous process improvement initiatives | Familiarity with Lean, Lean Six Sigma, performance management, or organizational improvement methodologies | Experience managing multidisciplinary teams across acquisition, analytics, and business process domains |
| SUITABILITY/SECURITY REQUIREMENTS | Eligibility to obtain and maintain a DHS Public Trust (Tier 1) suitability determination | Eligibility for DHS contractor Common Access Card (CAC) issuance | U.S. citizenship required |
Protect our Land, Ascend with Us!
Ascension LLC is seeking four Acquisition Support Analysts to support acquisition planning, documentation development, performance analysis, and post-award tracking for the U.S. Coast Guard C5ISC acquisition portfolio.
These roles are essential to ensuring acquisition packages are complete, compliant, audit-ready, and aligned with Procurement Acquisition Lead Time (PALT) expectations. Ideal candidates are analytical, detail-oriented professionals with hands-on experience supporting federal acquisition activities and working within structured acquisition environments.
Successful candidates will demonstrate the ability to manage multiple acquisition actions simultaneously, support Contracting Officer’s Representatives (CORs) and acquisition teams, and contribute to high-quality, defensible acquisition documentation.
Summary of the Contractor Role
The Acquisition Support Analyst provides hands-on analytical and documentation support across the full federal acquisition lifecycle. This includes pre-award acquisition planning, market research, Independent Government Cost Estimate (IGCE) development, Procurement Request (PR) package preparation, milestone tracking, and post-award performance documentation.
Analysts work closely with contracting staff, CORs, and program stakeholders to ensure acquisition artifacts meet FAR, HSAR, DHS, and USCG policy requirements and are maintained in an organized, audit-ready manner.
The ideal candidate:
- Is highly organized and process-driven
- Can manage multiple acquisition actions concurrently
- Demonstrates strong analytical, writing, and documentation skills
- Is comfortable working within structured federal acquisition frameworks
- Takes ownership of deliverable quality and compliance
Primary tools include SharePoint, standardized acquisition templates, Microsoft Excel, dashboards, and reporting tools.
Day-to-Day / Expected Activities
- Prepare market research reports and supporting acquisition documentation
- Develop IGCEs using historical pricing, labor rates, and cost analysis techniques
- Draft and support development of SOWs, PWSs, Acquisition Plans (APs), QASPs, and PR package components
- Track acquisition milestones, PALT metrics, and package status
- Maintain acquisition trackers, vendor logs, and official contract files
- Support CORs with CPARS preparation, documentation tracking, and post-award file maintenance
- Conduct quality and compliance reviews of acquisition artifacts prior to submission
- Support executive-level reporting, dashboards, and performance analysis
- Assist with audits, data calls, and leadership briefings as required
Job Features
| Job Category | Acquisition & Contract Management |
| MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS | Bachelor’s degree | Demonstrated experience with FAR, HSAR, and federal acquisition documentation |
| REQUIRED SKILLS | Minimum of six (6) years of experience supporting federal acquisition programs | Proven experience conducting market research and developing IGCEs |
| TECHNICAL SKILLS | Proficiency with Microsoft 365 tools, including SharePoint, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams |
| DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS | Experience supporting DHS or federal procurement offices | Experience supporting post-award contract performance tracking and documentation | Familiarity with dashboards, workflow automation tools, or acquisition tracking systems |
| SUITABILITY/SECURITY REQUIREMENTS | Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust (Tier 1) suitability | Eligibility to obtain DHS contractor credentials and CAC access |
Protect our Land, Ascend with Us!
Ascension LLC is seeking an experienced Acquisition Team Lead to provide leadership, coordination, and execution oversight in support of the U.S. Coast Guard Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, and Intelligence Service Center Strategic Acquisition Services effort.
This role is mission-critical and serves as the primary contractor point of contact responsible for managing acquisition support activities across a high-volume portfolio of C5I acquisition actions. The Acquisition Team Lead ensures acquisition actions are planned, documented, tracked, and delivered in compliance with federal acquisition regulations while meeting schedule, quality, and performance expectations.
The ideal candidate brings deep federal acquisition domain experience, strong leadership and client engagement skills, and the ability to operate confidently in a fast-paced environment supporting more than 400 acquisition actions annually. This position plays a central role in stakeholder coordination, performance management, and delivery consistency across the contract.
Summary of the Contractor Role
The Acquisition Team Lead oversees day-to-day contract execution and serves as the primary interface with U.S. Coast Guard C5ISC leadership, contracting personnel, program offices, and CORs. This role ensures acquisition planning and execution activities align with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), DHS and Coast Guard acquisition policies, and C5ISC guidance.
The ideal candidate is:
- Highly organized and detail-oriented
- Self-driven and comfortable operating with minimal supervision
- Skilled at anticipating risks, resolving issues, and managing competing priorities
- Experienced leading acquisition teams and standardizing acquisition processes
This role supports acquisition planning, procurement request package development, Procurement Action Lead Time (PALT) tracking, vendor portfolio analysis, and continuous coordination with government stakeholders. Core tools include Microsoft 365, SharePoint Online, acquisition templates, dashboards, and workflow automation solutions.
Day-to-Day / Expected Activities
- Oversee execution of all acquisition support activities aligned to PWS Tasks 2.1 and 2.3
- Serve as the primary liaison with USCG C5ISC leadership and key stakeholders
- Lead Integrated Project Team (IPT) kickoffs, working sessions, and requirement alignment meetings
- Review and quality-check acquisition artifacts including Statements of Work (SOWs), Performance Work Statements (PWSs), Independent Government Cost Estimates (IGCEs), Acquisition Plans (APs), and Quality Assurance Surveillance Plans (QASPs)
- Monitor Procurement Action Lead Time (PALT) metrics and acquisition dashboards to support schedule discipline and reporting
- Coordinate workload assignments, priorities, and performance across acquisition analysts and support staff
- Identify risks, bottlenecks, and rework drivers and implement corrective actions and process improvements
- Prepare executive-level briefings, performance reports, and recurring status updates
- Support vendor portfolio analysis, market research activities, and strategic sourcing recommendations
- Ensure acquisition documentation is accurate, compliant, and delivered in accordance with established standards
Job Features
| Job Category | Acquisition & Contract Management, Project Management |
| MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS | Bachelor’s degree | Project Management Professional (PMP) certification | At least 24 months of recent federal acquisition support experience | Demonstrated experience with FAR, HSAM, acquisition documentation, and PALT tracking |
| REQUIRED SKILLS | Minimum of eight years of federal program or acquisition management experience | FAC-C or DAWIA certification |
| TECHNICAL SKILLS | Proficiency with Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Teams, Excel, and PowerPoint |
| DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS | DHS, U.S. Coast Guard, or Department of Defense acquisition support experience | Experience leading acquisition teams supporting high-volume acquisition portfolios | Experience implementing standardized acquisition templates, workflows, or dashboards |Familiarity with Power BI and Microsoft Power Platform solutions |
| SUITABILITY/SECURITY REQUIREMENTS | Ability to obtain and maintain a DHS Public Trust (Tier 1) suitability determination | Eligibility for DHS contractor Common Access Card (CAC) issuance |
Protect our Land, Ascend with Us!
Ascension, LLC is building a bench of experienced on-call consultants for the role of Clerical Assistant – Engagement Administrative Support 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 administrative and clerical support to engagement Task Orders.
Responsibilities
- Scheduling and correspondence
- Attendance tracking
- Document formatting and filing
Job Features
| Job Category | Administrative Support |
| MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS | High school diploma or equivalent required; associate degree preferred | Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office applications | Strong attention to detail and organizational skills |
| REQUIRED SKILLS | 2+ years of experience providing clerical or administrative support |
| TECHNICAL SKILLS | Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines | Clear written and verbal communication skills | Ability to work independently in a remote or hybrid environment |
| DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS | Experience supporting government contracts or professional services teams | Familiarity with SharePoint or other document management systems | Experience supporting virtual meetings and distributed teams | Prior experience with records management or compliance-driven environments | Basic understanding of project or program support operations |
| SUITABILITY/SECURITY REQUIREMENTS | Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance if required by the client | Background check may be required depending on the assignment |
Protect our Land, Ascend with Us!
Ascension, LLC is building a bench of experienced on-call consultants for the role of Technician – Engagement Logistics / Technical Support 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 technical and operational support for engagement activities.
Responsibilities
- AV and virtual meeting setup
- Registration tools and platforms
- Technical troubleshooting during meetings
Job Features
| Job Category | Administrative Support, Operations Support |
| MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS | High school diploma or equivalent required; associate degree preferred | Demonstrated experience using Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel and Word | Effective written and verbal communication skills |
| REQUIRED SKILLS | Minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in a technical, administrative, or program support role | Experience supporting government or public-sector clients |
| TECHNICAL SKILLS | Experience supporting projects or programs with structured processes and documentation requirements | Strong attention to detail and ability to follow written procedures | Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment |
| DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS | Familiarity with SharePoint or other document management systems | Experience with data tracking, reporting, or basic analytics | Prior experience working on federal contracts as a contractor or subcontractor | Understanding of quality control, compliance, or records management practices | Ability to work effectively in hybrid or remote environments | Demonstrated reliability and strong time-management skills |
| SUITABILITY/SECURITY REQUIREMENTS | Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance (Low or Moderate Risk) | U.S. citizenship or work authorization as required by the contract | Completion of background investigation and suitability determination prior to start |
Protect our Land, Ascend with Us!
Ascension, LLC is building a bench of experienced on-call consultants for the role of Junior Professional – Engagement Support Analyst 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 professional support to engagement Task Orders under supervision.
Responsibilities
- Meeting logistics and coordination
- Note-taking and documentation
- Draft summaries and engagement logs
Job Features
| Job Category | Management Consulting |
| MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS | Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, information systems, data analytics, social sciences, or a related field | Ability to work effectively in a remote or hybrid team environment |
| REQUIRED SKILLS | 0–3 years of relevant experience, including internships, fellowships, or entry-level roles | Strong written and verbal communication skills |
| TECHNICAL SKILLS | Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook | Ability to manage assigned tasks and meet deadlines with minimal supervision | Strong attention to detail and organizational skills |
| DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS | Prior experience supporting government or public-sector projects | Familiarity with SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, or similar collaboration tools | Exposure to data analysis, reporting, dashboards, or performance metrics | Experience supporting project management or operational teams | Interest in public-sector consulting, program management, or data-driven decision-making |
| SUITABILITY/SECURITY REQUIREMENTS | Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance, if required by the client | U.S. citizenship may be required for certain contracts |
Protect our Land, Ascend with Us!
Ascension, LLC is building a bench of experienced on-call consultants for the role of (Senior Professional – Community Engagement Specialist) 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
Independently supports engagement Task Orders by designing materials, facilitating sessions, and synthesizing public input.
Responsibilities
- Assist facilitation of workshops and meetings
- Develop outreach materials, surveys, and presentations
- Analyze and summarize community feedback
Job Features
| Job Category | Management Consulting, Project Management |
| MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS | Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Planning, Policy, Management, or a related field | Ability to work independently with limited supervision and manage multiple priorities | Professional certifications such as PMP, PgMP, Agile, Scrum, Lean, or similar |
| REQUIRED SKILLS | Minimum of 10 years of professional experience supporting government or public-sector programs | Demonstrated experience in program management, strategic planning, policy analysis, or management consulting |
| TECHNICAL SKILLS | Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing client-ready deliverables | Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 tools including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and SharePoint |
| DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS | Experience supporting planning, policy, or advisory efforts for federal, state, or local government clients | Experience facilitating stakeholder engagements or executive briefings | Familiarity with government reporting, compliance, or performance measurement frameworks | Experience working as a consultant or independent contractor in a GovCon environment |
| SUITABILITY/SECURITY REQUIREMENTS | Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust suitability or equivalent, if required by the client | Must be eligible to work in the United States | Additional suitability or clearance requirements may apply based on task order |
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 |