Grant Negotiator (Grant Specialist III)

Texas Education Agency; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 62,000 - 94,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid holidays

Wellness programs

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Texas Education Agency seeks an experienced Grant Negotiator to manage complex federal and state grant development, review, and administration. The role involves analyzing large volumes of applications, ensuring compliance, and negotiating budgets with subrecipients.

Working location within Texas may be flexible; strong communication, analytical, and organizational skills are essential. Prior grant systems experience is preferred for efficient processing and training support.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university.
• At least two years of experience in grant or contract development, review, analysis, and/or administration.
• Education and experience may substitute for one another on a year-for-year basis.

Responsibilities

• Review and negotiation of original grant applications for program and fiscal compliance.
• Review and negotiation of amended grant applications and budgets.
• Provide technical assistance and support on complex grants issues.
• Participate in user testing and modification of grant documents and systems.
• Deliver grant training to staff or external customers.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

TCAPPs

TGIF

Expenditure Reporting (ER system)

Job description

Agency Information

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) oversees primary and secondary public education in Texas and is committed to improving outcomes for all public school students by providing leadership, guidance, and support to school systems across the state.

Core Values

• We are Determined: We are committed and intentional in pursuing our primary purpose of improving outcomes for students.
• We are People-Centered: We strive to attract, develop, and retain committed talent that reflects the diversity of Texas, with each individual contributing to our shared vision for students.
• We are Learners: We seek evidence, reflect on outcomes, and continuously improve in pursuit of excellence for students.
• We are Servant Leaders: We are public servants committed to improving opportunities for students and supporting those who serve them.

Job Description

This position reports to a Negotiation Supervisor in the Grants Administration Division, which is responsible for the timely awarding and administration of over $3 billion in federal and state education grants to school districts and open-enrollment charter schools each year. The Grant Negotiator provides highly complex (senior-level) grant development, coordination, and administration work. This includes analyzing and reviewing a high volume of grant applications to determine if they comply with applicable fiscal and programmatic requirements, laws, regulations, guidance and standards. The work involves extensive communication, clarification and negotiation with grant subrecipients regarding specific requirements and application budgets. This position works under limited supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Flexible work location within the state of Texas may be considered for qualified candidates.

Essential Functions

Job duties are not limited to the essential functions mentioned below. You may perform other functions as assigned.

• 1. Review and Negotiation of Original Grant Applications: conducts the program and fiscal review, analysis, and negotiation of a large volume of PDF and eGrants applications to ensure they are submitted in substantially approvable form
• 2. Review and Negotiation of Amended Grant Applications: conducts the program and fiscal review, analysis, and negotiation of a large volume of PDF and eGrants amendments to ensure they are submitted in substantially approvable form
• 3. Technical Assistance and Support: provides assistance and technical support to internal and external customers on complex grants administration issues for a variety of federal and state grant programs
• 4. User Testing and Modification to Grant Documents: completes user testing of modifications to the agency's electronic grant applications/systems and/or suggest modifications to grant-related documents such as the agency's PDF grant applications, applicant instructions, application checklists, and procedures
• 5. Grant Training: provides or assists with providing training to other staff or external customers on processes and procedures, applying for grant applications, or using grant systems

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university
• Experience: At least two [2] years of experience in grant or contract development, review, analysis, and/or administration
• Substitution: Education and experience may substitute for one another on a year-for-year basis.

Other Qualifications

• Share the belief that all Texas students can achieve at high levels and are able to succeed in college, career, or the military
• Knowledge of and ability to correctly interpret federal or state laws, regulations, guidance, and agreements pertaining to grants administration including educational administrative regulations, uniform administrative grant requirements, cost principles, financial accounting rules, grant processes and procedures, and related resources
• Experience with electronic accounting and grants administration systems including TCAPPs, TGIF, and Expenditure Reporting (ER system)
• Experience reviewing, analyzing, and negotiating grant applications for program and fiscal compliance
• Proven ability to accurately process a large volume of grant applications including budgets within a relatively short period of time
• Highly organized; equipped to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; superior customer service skills
• Meticulous attention to detail; strong proofreading skills
• Strong research, problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Advanced mathematical aptitude
• A desire to self-reflect, give/receive feedback and continuously improve
• Experience developing, completing, or reviewing grant applications in a school district, regional education service center, open-enrollment charter school, or at the Texas Education Agency preferred
• Familiarity with TEA's grant systems and application processes preferred

New hires, rehires, and internal hires will typically receive a starting salary between the posted minimum and the average pay of employees within the same classification. Offers are based on the candidate's experience and qualifications and consider internal pay equity across employees performing similar work.

The top half of the posted salary range is generally reserved for candidates whose qualifications exceed the role's requirements. The maximum of the range is typically reserved for candidates who significantly exceed the required and preferred qualifications.

Benefits

TEA employees receive a comprehensive benefits package through the State of Texas and the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS), supporting health, financial security, and work-life balance.

• Retirement through ERS and employer-paid health insurance for eligible employees
• Optional dental, vision, and dependent coverage
• Paid state holidays, vacation leave, sick leave, and longevity pay
• Wellness programs, employee assistance programs, and professional development opportunities
• Eligibility for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program

To learn more about benefits available to State of Texas employees, please review the State of Texas Employee Benefits brochure and visit the TEA Compensation and Benefits page .

Military/Veteran Information

Applicants eligible for Military Employment Preference will be considered in accordance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations.

To explore how military experience may align with this role, applicants may review Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes within the State's Position Classification Plan. Please refer to the Military Crosswalk and select the occupational category that most closely corresponds with the classification listed in this job posting.

Additional Information

TEA is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal and state nondiscrimination laws. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or veteran status.

TEA does not sponsor or assume sponsorship of employment visas.

This position requires the applicant to meet Agency standards and criteria which may include passing a pre-employment criminal background check, prior to being offered employment by the Agency.

To learn more about working at TEA, including hiring timelines, process details, and candidate resources, please visit the Careers at TEA page .

Due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to accept phone calls or respond to all email inquiries. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

To help ensure you receive updates regarding your application, please add [e-mail] and @tea.texas.gov to your safe sender's list.