STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Grants And Contracts Specialist

Full time & Durational Positions

Recruitment #230201-4191AR-001

Introduction


Are you a dedicated professional looking for the next step in your career? 
If so, we encourage you to apply!

Position Highlights: 

  • Both opportunities are full-time (40 hours/week), with flexible work hours and the opportunity to telecommute.
  • These positions are located at 1111 Country Club Road, Middletown, CT 06457. 
  • Benefits and leaves will be subject to the appropriate collective bargaining contract language and Connecticut General Statutes
  • In these positions, you will be working within a fast-paced environment that requires independent work, collaboration with a team when needed, and navigating/prioritizing complex work tasks.
Note: When filling out an application, candidates must select if they are interested in the Full-Time role, Durational role or both. This will ensure appropriate placement on the candidate lists.

      State of Connecticut employees participate in a competitive benefits plan that includes: 
      • Excellent health and dental coverage;
      • A generous retirement plan;
      • Paid time off;
      • A healthy work/life balance!
      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.  
      Full-Time Opportunity:
      The State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) is recruiting for a dedicated Grants and Contracts Specialist to administer Federal and State Grant Awards and Agency Contracts. The candidate will be responsible for the programmatic administration of these grants and contracts to ensure all regulations, guidelines and compliance standards are satisfied. Our ideal candidate has familiarity with contracts and Federal and State grants, has strong project management and communication skills, competency with Microsoft Office/related programming (Outlook, Word, Excel, Adobe Pro), and strong attention to detail as the Grants and Contracts Specialist will be required to read, review or prepare project scopes of work, subrecipient awards, contracts, reports, communication materials, data and analysis documentation and other tasks that may arise to support the successful deployment of various contracts and grants programs.

      Durational Opportunity:
      The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) is recruiting for a Grants and Contracts Specialist to administer American Rescue Plan Awards (ARPA). This is a durational opportunity with an end date of December 31, 2024.  DESPP was awarded approximately $17 million through the American Rescue Plan funding to be deployed across multiple divisions and local municipalities, supporting a variety of DESPP initiatives that touch the core values of protecting the public. The ideal candidate will have familiarity with the American Rescue Plan and will be required to read, review or prepare project scopes of work, subrecipient awards, contracts, reports, communication materials, data and analysis documentation to support the successful deployment of the Grants program.  We would like to hear from you if you are solution-driven and have the ability to manage multiple competing priorities!
      OUR MISSION:
      DESPP is committed to protecting and improving the quality of life for all by providing a broad range of public safety services, training, regulatory guidance and scientific services utilizing enforcement, prevention, education and state of the art science and technology. 

      In striving to accomplish our mission, we will embody our core values with great PRIDE
      Professionalism through an elite and diverse team of trained men and women. 
      Respect for ourselves and others through our words and actions. 
      Integrity through adherence to standards and values that merit public trust. 
      Dedication to our colleagues, our values, and to the service of others. 
      Equality through fair and unprejudiced application of the law.

      Watch the video below to learn about the benefits of working for the State of Connecticut!
                  

      Selection Plan

      To Apply:
      • In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on this job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.
      • The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
      • Ensure that your application is complete and detailed before submitting it. In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process. You will not be able to make revisions once your application is submitted into the JobAps system.
      • All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period. It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception. Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
      Important Information After You Apply:
      • Candidate selected for an interview must provide the following at the time of interview:
      State Employees: 
      • Two (2) most recent performance evaluations 
      • Completed CT-HR-13 
      Non-State Employees: 
      • Two (2) professional reference contact information (Name, E-Mail Address, Phone Number)
      • Candidates who have been selected for employment with the Department of Emergency Services & Public Protection are subject to a detailed background investigation, including a fingerprint supported state and federal criminal history record check along with reference checks. Selection for employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of the background investigation. Click here CT-HR-13 to complete the Criminal Convictions addendum. The CT-HR-13 can also be found on the DAS website by typing in "CT-HR-13" into the "Search Department of Administrative Services" search field. Also considered in this selection process: Any pending or disciplinary history within the past 2 years and review of attendance records. 
      • This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the questionnaire's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.
      • Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.
      • Note: At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.
      • Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.
      • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
      Connect With Us:
      Due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account. Should you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Nick Naples at Nicholas.Naples@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

      • Experience with federal and state grants and grant systems to include FEMA, DOJ, NHTSA or other grant systems.
      • Experience interpreting federal and state regulations.
      • Experience processing federal and state grants from application to award.
      • Experience processing contracts and agreements.
      • Experience communicating in writing and orally with internal and external stakeholders regarding grant or contract inquiries.
      • Experience with Core-CT or PeopleSoft.
      • Experience with Microsoft Excel, Power Point and Word.
      • Experience working independently while managing competing priorities and meeting deadlines.

      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.