Grants And Contracts Specialist

The State of Connecticut, Department of Social Services (DSS), has a mission that we, along with our partners, provide person-centered programs and services to enhance the well-being of individuals, families and communities.

Are you a self-starter? Do you want to make a difference while participating in a dynamic and reciprocal human services environment in the public sector? If so, please read on to learn more about this fantastic opportunity for you to join our team!  

We are currently recruiting for two qualified and talented Grants and Contracts Specialist for our Contracts Administration Unit within the Financial Services Division.  We are located at our Central Office at 55 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, CT. These positions are full-time, first shift, 40 hours per week, Monday – Friday 8:00am – 4:30pm.   

The Contracts Administration Unit is responsible for the facilitation, development, and timely award of cost-effective contracts to qualified providers and contractors for direct services to clients and to support the work of DSS.  In collaboration with program, fiscal and legal staff, this unit drafts, reviews, completes and delivers Purchase of Service (POS) and Personal Service (PSA) agreements, Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), Statements of Work (SOW), Data Share Agreement (DSA) and Data Use Agreements (DUA) for provision of services to clients and the Department.  This process also often requires the coordination with the procedures of the Office of Policy and Management (OPM), the Attorney General’s (AG’s) Office, and the Department of Administrative Services (DAS).  Depending upon the complexity of the contract, the drafting negotiation, execution and final approval process can be lengthy and must be conducted in accordance to specific timetables.  

You will discover the opportunity to:  

• Engage in a rewarding career;
• Showcase your talents in a meaningful role;
• Thrive in an exciting environment;
• Provide support to a division that is passionate about the work we do;
• Make a difference in the public sector;
• Work together in a collaborative team environment.  

What’s in it for You – Leading Comprehensive Benefit Offerings:

• Industry leading health benefits, including medical and dental coverage; 
• Comprehensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings; 
• Paid time off; 
• Professional growth and development opportunities; 
• Ability to serve the citizens of Connecticut;
• A healthy work life balance to all employees.  

We hope you take this opportunity to make an impact by serving your state!

The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.  

The Department of Social Services participates in E-Verify.  

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.  

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.

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.

Preference will be given to candidates who possess:

• Experience successfully communicating with diverse groups.
• Experience working in CORECT financial modules or people soft modules.
• Experience creating complex files in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
• Experience analyzing complex data and formulizing a clear grants/contracts plan.
• Experience in development and/or administration of competitive procurement.
• Experience managing fiscal spending within budget allotments; operating within and managing workgroup budget allocation and reporting.
• Experience developing and maintaining effective programmatic and financial controls to assure the integrity of the cooperative agreements and grants.

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.