STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Grants And Contracts Specialist

Recruitment #240201-4191AR-001

Introduction


The State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP), has an exciting opportunity for a Grants and Contracts Specialist in the Division of Statewide Emergency Telecommunications (DSET).

What we can offer you
  • The opportunity to work for a Forbes top company: 'ForbesState of Connecticut Ranked One of the Best Employers of 2023 - State of CT Receives National Recognition for Offering Job Growth, Competitive Benefits, and Flexible Schedule
  • A Platinum Healthcare Plan, the nation’s best for state employees and dependents, according to a report by Georgetown’s Center on Health Insurance Reform and article by Ellen Andrews, Ph.D., along with comprehensive benefit offerings
  • State of Connecticut is an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loans forgiven after 10 years of service.  Click here for more information.
  • Extensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings;
  • Paid time off - including 13 paid holidays per calendar year;
  • Professional growth and paid professional development opportunities; and
  • A healthy work-life balance for all employees!
Position highlights
In this role you will:
  • Provide technical assistance and act as resource person for Connecticut's 911 centers (106).
  • Prepare written and statistical reports and correspondence.
  • Assist in preparing DSET's annual budget and review and authorize expenditures.
  • Evaluate grant applications for conformance with regulations and policy.
  • Develop goals and objectives for individual projects.
  • May assist with public awareness projects including social media content creation.
  • Conduct research to support the Division's programs, projects, goals and practices e.g. Federal Communications Commission, National Emergency Number Association Standards, etc.
  • Review contracts and proposals for compliance with standards, identify problems and determine priorities.
This is a 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday, 8:00AM to 4:30PM or 7:30AM to 4:00PM, position. This position also enjoys both flex and hybrid work schedules upon completion of the working test period and in conjunction with applicable operational/telework guidelines.

About us
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. 

              
 

Selection Plan

Candidates selected for an interview must provide the following at the time of interview:

    State Employees
    • Two (2) most recent performance evaluations
    • Cover letter
    • Completed CT-HR-13
    Non-State Employees
    • Two (2) professional letters of reference from a current and/or previous supervisor 
    • Cover Letter
    • Completed CT-HR-13

      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.

      Any pending disciplinary history within the past 2 years and review of attendance records are also considered in this selection process.

      Before you apply:
      • In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the 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 for after you apply:

      • 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.
      • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
      For technical questions regarding the filing of your application, please contact Mackenzie Robinson at Mackenzie.Robinson@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; 
        • program evaluation and monitoring functions; 
      • Knowledge of
        • research methods and techniques; 
        • budget preparation and monitoring; 
      • Considerable
        • interpersonal skills; 
        • oral and written communication skills; 
      • Ability to utilize computer software; 
      • 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

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

      PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

      • Experience preparing federal, state or municipal financial and programmatic reports for grants administration and compliance
      • Experience with public sector procurement processes 
      • Experience creating files and spreadsheets in Microsoft Office using Excel and PowerPoint
      • Experience in monitoring contract deliverables
      • Experience in managing budgets
      • Experience creating Social Media content 

      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.

      ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

      As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.