Grants And Contracts Specialist

Are you passionate about wanting to build a home visiting system that ensures all young children in Connecticut are safe, healthy, learning and thriving?

Do you have experience building internal systems and operations plans that help professionals and organizations achieve their respective goals?

If so, this opportunity might be for you!

The State of Connecticut, Office of Early Childhood (OEC) is looking for a Grants and Contracts Specialist who is eager to help our Home Visiting unit to build the systems and tools necessary to effectively plan for, develop, manage, and evaluate large grants and contracts. This person will be tasked with developing and promoting the effective use of business operating systems designed to support the day-to-day functions and goals of this unit.

Our small but mighty organization touches the lives of over 200,000 young children, parents, and caregivers annually through our integrated focus on early care and education programs and safety supports, our home visiting programs, and other critical early childhood services. Because of the enormity of our charge and the magnitude of funding that we disperse annually, the OEC is looking for passionate, data-driven professionals who are committed to building a cohesive, high-quality early childhood system.

In-state travel may be required to participate in cross-agency collaborations and to fulfill the requirements of the position.

If you are selected for an interview, you will be required to provide a resume, cover letter and documentation regarding on the job performance reviews for the current year and past two years. 

Please contact the hiring agency's human resources office:  Ellen Morris, ellen.morris@ct.gov, (860) 713-6670 with general questions regarding this recruitment (Please Note:  All updates to an applicant's application status will only be provided thought their registered JobAps account).

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

OEC is looking for candidates with the following:

• 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

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.