IT Modernization Change Management Specialist

OCT Consulting, LLC is an SBA-certified, 8(a) small business management and technology consulting firm that provides support to Federal Government clients. We provide consulting services in the areas of Strategy, Process Improvement, Change Management, Program and Project Management, Acquisition/Procurement, and Information Technology.Position Overview:OCT currently has a contract opening for a freelance IT Modernization Change Management Specialist. This role is pivotal in developing and implementing a comprehensive change management framework to support a federal IT modernization and stabilization effort. The candidate shall effectively communicate the overall vision for the modernization effort to internal and external stakeholders as well as assisting with policy creation and revision/updates across the given federal agency. The successful candidate will lead initiatives to enhance communication, manage change, and foster a collaborative knowledge-sharing environment through the implementation of a change management framework.Key Responsibilities:

Develop IT Modernization Change Management Framework: Create a robust change management framework for current and future IT modernization efforts.

Conduct current state assessments and document technology impact analyses.

Perform change readiness and training needs assessments.

Develop communication plans and resistance management strategies.

Create training materials and user adoption metrics.

Track and publish changes to systems/applications.

Identify rollout strategies for new features, including communication and training needs.

Gather feedback on feature adoption and effectiveness.

Collaborate with stakeholders to address pain points and prioritize issues.

Develop lessons learned and risk mitigation strategies.

Measure training effectiveness and develop standard change management processes.

Develop Strategy for User Feedback Collection: Design surveys to gather stakeholder feedback on modernization projects and system challenges.

Create simple, frequent surveys with key questions.

Define distribution and collection methods.

Engage NASS team members and assess communication effectiveness.

Encourage participation from executives and project managers.

Analyze feedback to identify patterns and issues.

Ensure high visibility and accessibility of feedback channels.

Implement a Wiki:

Establish a centralized knowledge-sharing hub and develop a strategy to engage employees in contributing expertise.

Set up and maintain the wiki using SharePoint.

Organize content by departments and include essential sections like organizational charts and FAQs.

Appoint departmental Wiki champions and establish contribution guidelines.

RequirementsQualifications:

5+ years of proven experience in change management and IT modernization projects.

Prior experience with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is advantageous.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a keen eye for detail and the ability to convey complex information concisely.

Prior experience working with a government contractor is desirable.

Strong analytical and communication skills.

Knowledge of MS Project, JIRA, and other MS Office tools required.

Ability to engage and collaborate with diverse stakeholders.

Experience with knowledge management systems, preferably SharePoint.

Experience creating infographics and concept of operations (CONOPS) to represent complex concepts and processes visually is desirable.

Certification in change management is advantageous but not required.

Bachelor’s Degree in a related field.

Must be able to obtain or retain a Public Trust clearance. The investigation will involve a credit, fingerprint, and law enforcement agency check.

Must be a US Citizen.

BenefitsThe position includes competitive compensation and a full suite of benefits:

Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance

Retirement savings 401K plan provided by an industry-leading provider with 3% employer matching contributions.

Paid Time Off

Life Insurance, Short- and Long-Term disability benefits

Training Benefits

Salary: Part time: 20hrs/week : $45-50/hr based on education, experience, etc. Great for a 1099 Consultant. About OCTOCT Consulting LLC is a certified SBA 8(a), minority-owned, small, disadvantaged business providing professional services and information technology solutions to the Federal government and commercial clients. Founded in 2013, we bring the advantage of agility in operations along with a management team with a track record of leading successful engagements at major Federal government agencies.OCT is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. OCT is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status.