Grants Management Specialist

Summary

This position is located within the USDA, Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Administrative & Financial Management (AFM), Financial Management & Agreements Division (FMAD). FMAD provides budget, fiscal, financial, travel, and grants/agreements support for the ARS, the Economic Research Service, and the National Agricultural Statistics Service.

The incumbent of this position is responsible for pre-award and post-award activities including negotiation, award, administration, and close-out.

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Duties

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• Negotiates, awards, and administers extramural grants and agreements for the conduct of scientific, economic, and statistical research.
• Reviews and analyzes proposed extramural projects, awards, and agreements.
• Works with staff in matters involving budget and finance, procurement, property, safety and health, buildings and facilities construction projects to ensure there are no conflicts with other statues or regulations.
• Conducts reviews to determine whether all terms have been met, that all fiscal, income, patent, and property reports have been received, and that any audit problems have been resolved.
• Reviews program and budget plans to ensure adequate resources are committed for the project.
• Ensures all legal documents awarded are in compliance with applicable statutes, governing regulations, and Agency/Department/Office policy.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Direct Deposit - Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period unless previous federal service is creditable. During this time your employment will be evaluated, and we may consider: your performance and conduct, the needs and interests of the agency, whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government, and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.

GS-09 :

Specialized Experience : Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. The specialized experience requirements for the Grants Management Specialist, GS-1109-09 is one year of specialized experience comparable to at least the GS-07 grade level, in the federal government, or its non-Federal equivalent, which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is described as experience assisting in the application or administration of agreements, grants, loans, or other financial assistance; and reviewing applications for agreements, grants, loans, or other financial assistance to ensure that they meet established requirements.

OR

Education : A master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related. Related degrees may include business administration, accounting, finance, law/business law and related fields.

OR

A combination of education and experience.

GS-11:

Specialized Experience: The specialized experience requirements for the Grants Management Specialist, GS-1109-11 is having at least one year of specialized experience comparable to at least the GS-09 grade level, in the federal government, or its non-Federal equivalent, which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is described as experience reviewing grant applications to determine that regulations have been met, assisting grantees with understanding program requirements; tracking and administering grants from pre-award to post-award; and serving as a source of information to personnel on the clarification of organizational procedures, grant administration, regulations, or policies.

OR

Education: A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M. if related. Related degrees may include: business administration, accounting, finance, law/business law and related fields.

OR

A combination of education and experience.

GS-12:

Specialized Experience: The specialized experience requirements for the Grants Management Specialist, GS-1109-12 is having at least one year of specialized experience comparable to at least the GS-11 grade level, in the federal government, or its non-Federal equivalent, which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is described as experience reviewing federal grants and/or cooperative agreement applications; reviewing agricultural or research grant policy or procedures to ensure awards meet pre and post award requirements, cost principles, and audit requirements; and providing advice on established regulations, policies, or procedures for agricultural or research federal grant administration.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Additional information

• Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may be authorized. The final determination to pay an incentive will be made by the hiring official at the time of the job offer.
• Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100.
• Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here.
• This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements.
• Salary ranges for each location:
  • Albany, California: $77,161 - $145,468
  • Fort Collins, Colorado: $68,819 - $129,742
  • Athens, Georgia: $65,271 - $123,052
  • Peoria, Illinois: $61,722 - $116,362
  • Indianapolis, Indiana: $62,297 - $117,446
  • Kansas City, Missouri: $62,729 - $118,261
  • St. Louis, Missouri: $63,288 - $119,315
  • Stoneville, Mississippi: $61,722 - $116,362
  • Raleigh, North Carolina: $64,453 - $121,511
  • Salt Lake City, Utah: $61,722 - $116,362

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.