Criminal Justice Grants and Contracts Specialist (Grants and Contracts Specialist)

To apply and for additional information on this position visit Criminal Justice Grants And Contracts Specialist Posting

 The Position:

The State of Connecticut’s Office of Policy and Management (OPM) Criminal Justice Policy and Planning Division (CJPPD) is now accepting applications for a Criminal Justice Grants and Contracts Specialist.

About Us:

At OPM we report directly to the Governor and provide information and analysis that the Governor uses to formulate public policy for the state. We also assist state agencies and municipalities in implementing the law and public policy on behalf of the people of Connecticut. We prepare the Governor’s budget proposals; implement and monitor the execution of the enacted budget; and oversee the executive branch agencies that report to the Governor.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Plan and develop interagency initiatives to demonstrate new policy objectives and strategies with a specialized focus on criminal justice;
• Draft statewide implementation plans involving multiple state and local criminal justice agencies;
• Plan and coordinate forums, hearings and events to allow for public participation in developing statewide priorities and plans; 
• Review grant application materials, including but not limited to, budgets, narratives, and statements of work;
• Lead efforts to enhance and create new subgrantee reporting requirements and monitoring tools to improve data-driven and evidence-based funding decisions;
• Analyze current services, fiscal data and performance measures to identify the most effective and efficient use of federal funds; 
• Pursue federal discretionary grant opportunities to generate resources for developing and accessing innovative policies, practices, and procedures within the statewide criminal justice system;
• Serve as the lead contact to the US DOJ for several federal grants;
• Monitor compliance with federal regulations and prepare the required reports for submission to federal agencies;
• Develop policies, practices, and procedures to support compliance with federal legislation;
• Lead working groups involving agency staff to examine policies and procedures and make necessary course corrections;
• Create new grant announcements and ensure that the application and review process comply with federal requirements and guidelines; 
• Assist with creating awareness of the grant opportunities among relevant criminal justice stakeholders; and
• Interpret and implement US DOJ federal financial regulations. 

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING: 

Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Reference Library for additional support throughout the recruitment process. 

BEFORE YOU APPLY: 

• Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.  
• Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below by the closing date listed on the job posting. 
• Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency. 
• Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift. 
• Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State.  Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing [email protected]. 
• Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other. 
• Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.

 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 in criminal justice or public policy;
• Experience leading the planning and development of new programs, policies and initiatives;
• Experience administering and monitoring state or federal grants;
• Experience working with state and federal criminal justice agencies; 
• Experience interpreting and implementing statutory and administrative policy; and
• Experience working with Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and other Microsoft Office products.