STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Grants And Contracts Specialist

Recruitment #210121-4191AR-001

Introduction

The State of Connecticut, Department of Children and Families’ (DCF) mission is  partnering with communities and empowering families to raise resilient children who thrive; sharpening the safety focus through prevention across the child welfare system.   We are proud of our diverse and dedicated workforce who strive every day to meet the needs of those we encounter.

Are you a hardworking, motivated professional looking to make a difference while working with a collaborative team in the public sector?  If so, we want you to join us!

We are recruiting for a dynamic and experienced individual for the position of Grants and Contracts Specialist.  This position is in within our Division of Contracts Management (DCM) and located at Central Office 505 Hudson St., Hartford, CT. This is a full-time, 40 hours per week Monday through Friday position.

The DCM is responsible for 4 primary functions: the development, execution and maintenance of all Memoranda of Understanding and Purchase of Service and Personal Service Agreements, the development, oversight and conduct of all agency procurements, regional Purchasing and Accounts Payable processes for services purchased through WRAP funding and coordination and oversight of all Credentialed Services. The services coordinated by DCM provide the mechanisms for each Region and Area Office to facilitate services for children and families in the Department’s care and throughout the State of Connecticut.

This position, has a primary focus of reviewing and establishing a regional presence in the three (3) Region 5 Area Offices (Waterbury, Danbury, Torrington), forging positive working relationships with Area Office staff, providing knowledge, expertise, guidance and technical support to all Area Office staff on appropriate use of DCF WRAP funds and overseeing the Regional service request and accounts payable program. This position performs a wide variety of fiscally focused, specialized tasks in contracts and service acquisition that help to lead to efficient and effective procurement to meet the needs of children and families while providing fiscal oversight to their assigned Region. 

You will discover the opportunity to:

  • Provide daily direction of the Region's Financial Clerk and each Office's Accounts Payable Office Assistant (3 in total);
  • Review/Approve all Wrap Around Funds (WAF) (child service purchasing requests) for the Region;
  • Provide education and training to Regional staff regarding the WAF/WRAP development and approval process;
  • Provide technical assistance to credentialed/non-credentialed providers to ensure compliance with WAF procedures for service provision and billing;
  • Guide, train and direct staff and external providers to be fiscally responsible in-service acquisition and provision;
  • Provide monthly and quarterly financial reports to leadership team;
  • Assist with Unique Service Expenditure (USE) Plan development for high-end client service needs;
  • Facilitate procurement activities.

We hope you take this opportunity to continue your career with us and make an impact by serving your state!

Selection Plan

In order to be considered for this job opening, you must be a current State of CT employee, who has permanent state status*, and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening.  You must specify your qualifications on your application. 

*For employees in the classified service, permanent status is obtained after successful completion of a working test period.  For employees in the unclassified service, permanent status is obtained after serving in a position for at least six months (full-time or full-time equivalent).

Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening and specify their qualifications on their application. Please ensure that your application is complete and you have included your resume in the “Resume Tab” of your application as you will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application into the JobAps system.  

Applicants invited to interview may be required to submit additional documentation supporting their qualification(s). These documents may include: performance reviews, supervisory references, college transcripts, licensure, etc. at the discretion of the agency.  

This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQ’s) which will be sent to you via email after the closing date.  The email notification will include an expiration date by which you must submit (Finish) your responses.  Please regularly check your email for notifications.  Please check your SPAM and or Junk folders, as emails could end up there in error.  

This posting may be used for future vacancies.  

The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.  

Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Julie Barker, at Julie.Barker@ct.gov.

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; gathers 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; considerable knowledge of program evaluation and monitoring functions; knowledge of research methods and techniques; some knowledge of budget preparation and monitoring; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; ability to utilize computer software; some 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

1. 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.
2. A Master's degree in a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preference will be given to candidates who possess:

  • Experience working in a Human Services Agency;
  • Experience in development and/or administration of competitive procurement;
  • Experience in Human Service Program Development implementation of program and/or oversight;
  • Experience managing fiscal spending within budget allotments; operating within and managing workgroup budget allocation and reporting out;
  • Experience identifying creative solutions to complex system issues.

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.