Grants And Contracts Specialist Hybrid #261019-4191AR-001

State of Connecticut; Hartford (CT); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Connecticut, Department of Children and Families (DCF) is seeking a Grants and Contracts Specialist to manage complex grant programs and contract activities within the Grants and Contracts Unit at Central Office in Hartford.

You will oversee application and disbursement processes, monitor compliance, prepare contracts, and provide guidance to grantees, while coordinating with federal, state and community partners in a fast-paced public sector environment.

Qualifications

• Seven (7) years of experience in planning, implementation and/or management of grant programs.
• College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half year of experience to a maximum of four years for a Bachelor's degree.
• A Master’s degree may substitute for one additional year of General Experience.

Responsibilities

• Performs specialized duties in grants management and contract administration.
• Monitors grant funds to ensure compliance with terms and conditions.
• Prepares grant proposals and related contracts/agreements.
• Liaises with federal, state and community partners to coordinate program activities.
• Produces quarterly and annual program reports.
• Provides technical assistance to grantees and performance evaluation.

Skills

Grant management

Contract administration

Budget analysis

Communication

Supervisory ability

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel

Word

Outlook

PowerPoint

Teams

Job description

Introduction

The State of Connecticut , Department of Children and Families (DCF) is recruiting a Grants And Contracts Specialist in our Department's Division of Fiscal Services - Grants and Contracts Unit located at Central Office, 505 Hudson Street, Hartford, CT.

Position Highlights

• Full-time, 40 hours per week
• First (1st) shift
• Monday - Friday
• 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
• After successful completion of the working test period, the role may offer a hybrid telework schedule up to 70%, providing greater work flexibility

The Role

The Grants and Contracts Unit oversees POS and PSA Contracts, Federal State and Private Grants, and Youth Service Bureaus. The Grants and Contracts Specialist reports directly to the FAS supporting the Grants and Contracts unit. The successful candidate in this position will report to the Fiscal Administrative Supervisor.

About Us

Department of Children and Families (DCF) mission is to partner with communities and empower families to raise resilient children who thrive. We are proud of our diverse and dedicated workforce, who strive daily to meet the needs of those we encounter. We comprise of a Central Office, fourteen offices, two facilities, and the Wilderness School.

What’s In It For You

Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview page!

• Professional growth and paid professional development opportunities.
• A healthy work-life balance to all employees.
• State of Connecticut is an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loan forgiveness after 10 years of service. Click here for more information.

Discover The Opportunity To

• Engage in a rewarding career
• Assist our employees so they can achieve success
• Make a difference in the public sector
• Work together in a collaborative team environment

Purpose of Job Class (Nature of Work)

In a state agency this class is accountable for performing as a specialist in planning, implementation, management and evaluation of a large complex grant program or group of programs in one field where responsibilities are assumed for program development, liaison and coordination with federal, state and community agencies and organizations, program implementation and administration, program monitoring and assessment.

Examples of Duties

• Performs specialized related duties in the area of grants management;
• Performs research to support the application for or the disbursement of grants including needs analysis, literature review and regulations critique to identify problems and determine priorities;
• Develops alternatives;
• Gather information related to program area;
• Develops goals and objectives, evaluation standards, timetables, other program components and department policy for program area and individual projects;
• Prepares grant proposals;
• Monitors use of grant monies awarded to agency to ensure adherence to all terms and conditions;
• Facilitates direct grant process;
• Provides technical assistance and acts as resource person to grantees;
• Evaluates program proposals and applications for conformance with regulations and state goals;
• Recommends funding; prepares contracts and agreements related to grant activities;
• Monitors and assesses ongoing programs for conformance to reporting requirements, general budget and timetable guidelines and program effectiveness;
• Prepares quarterly and annual reports and statewide annual plan or section of plan related to program local area;
• Attends meetings of appropriate state, local and regional organizations and performs other liaison functions to coordinate efforts in program area;
• Performs related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skill and Ability

• Considerable knowledge of
  • grant preparation and administration;
  • program evaluation and monitoring functions;
• Knowledge of
  • research methods and techniques;
  • budget preparation and monitoring;
• Considerable
  • interpersonal skills;
  • oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to utilize computer software;
• Supervisory ability.

Minimum Qualifications – General Experience

Seven (7) years of experience in planning, implementation and/or management of grant programs on a community, state or federal level.

Minimum Qualifications – Substitutions Allowed

• College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
• A Master's degree in a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with contract development, negotiation, and administration, including drafting, reviewing, and interpreting contract language and scopes of service.
• Experience in procurement processes and the ability to prepare and evaluate RFPs/RFQs in compliance with applicable statutes, regulations, policies and guidelines.
• Experience with Microsoft Office tools (such as Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Teams), including the ability to analyze and organize data effectively, and the use of advanced formulas and functions.
• Experience managing multiple priorities, solving problems, and working independently as well as collaboratively in a changing work environment.
• Experience training, leading, or developing staff, with the ability to delegate tasks effectively.
• Experience analyzing financial or administrative information, such as accounts payable/receivable or reporting systems, to support sound decision making.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

Acknowledgement

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.