EBT Planning Consultant

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in South Dakota.

📋 Description

• Create and oversee the project timeline for the EBT re-procurement, ensuring all activities align with USDA FNS deadlines.

• Analyze the SNAP EBT Services RFP and prepare revised drafts that comply with current federal requirements, FNS policy guidance and procedures, the Agricultural Act of 2018 and its amendments, as well as Quest Operating Rules.

• Investigate and document state business and technical requirements, integrating them into the RFP.

• Engage in project calls with USDA FNS related to the re-procurement RFP and Advance Planning Document, assisting in the implementation of FNS recommendations.

• Create the RFP response evaluation plan, which includes technical and cost criteria, pricing structure, and scoring guidelines.

• Develop training materials, educate the evaluation team, and compile scores along with summary documents to support the final award decision.

• Formulate and submit the IAPD and IAPD Updates for FNS approval, encompassing necessary planning, design, security, training, scheduling, cost allocation, and budget materials.

• Draft a comprehensive test plan that addresses unit, integration, performance, end-to-end, user acceptance, regression, and fail-safe testing.

• Oversee testing processes and coordinate with the EBT processor for testing activities.

• Direct System Acceptance Testing focusing on functional requirements, security, recovery, system controls, and hypothetical scenarios.

• Prepare SAT documents, scenarios, and evaluation materials; review specifications and outputs; provide written feedback; attend tests and result walkthroughs; and partake in regression testing.

• Train state personnel to conduct user acceptance testing.

• Assess the completeness and outcomes of testing and prepare a written evaluation for FNS review and approval.

⛳️ Requirements

• A minimum of 10 years of experience in consulting, program management, or procurement related to state human services, public benefits, or health and human services information systems.

• Direct experience with SNAP EBT (or WIC EBT) services for a state agency, having participated in at least one EBT procurement, re-procurement, or processor conversion.

• Proficient understanding of federal SNAP EBT requirements, including 7 CFR Part 274, FNS policy guidance, the Agricultural Act of 2018, and the Quest Operating Rules.

• Experience in preparing federal Advance Planning Documents (IAPD or IAPDU) as per FNS Handbook 901, or similar federal Advance Planning Documents for state human services systems.

• Proven experience in drafting state government RFPs and developing proposal evaluation criteria, scoring tools, and evaluator training programs.

• Experience in leading system or user acceptance testing for state systems, including the creation of test plans, test scripts, Go/No-Go criteria, and written evaluations of test results.

• Exceptional writing skills with the capability to produce clear, federally compliant documentation.

• No current employment with or contract to any EBT processor.

• Availability for the entire engagement, starting on or around January 1, 2027.

• Three professional references from prior engagements.

• Preferred: Experience in supporting an EBT processor transition, which includes card issuance, retailer integration, and conversion planning.

• Preferred: Knowledge of eWIC, Summer EBT, or any other EBT-delivered benefit programs.

• Preferred: Experience collaborating directly with FNS regional office staff.

• Preferred: Familiarity with state cost allocation plans and federal financial participation.

• Preferred: Experience with Medicaid Enterprise System (MMIS) procurements or CMS Advance Planning Documents.

• Preferred: Possession of a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

🏝️ Benefits

• Competitive salary and compensation package.

• Opportunities for professional development and growth.

• Supportive work environment with a focus on team collaboration.