Grants Specialist - Advanced

Join the Broadband Compliance and Implementation team in bringing Internet for All Wisconsin citizens by managing broadband federal infrastructure grants a Grants Specialist Advanced - Project/Permanent!

The PSC is an independent state agency that is responsible for regulating more than 1,100 Wisconsin public utilities, which provide electric, natural gas, combined water and sewer utilities, and certain aspects of local telephone service to households and businesses throughout the state! The PSC of Wisconsin ensures safe, reliable, affordable, and environmentally responsible utility services and equitable access to telecommunications and broadband services. 

This position offers a hybridized work schedule that offers the option to work remotely with one in office day required each week. This schedule may change based on operational needs and organizational requirements. The position is headquartered at the Hill Farms State Office Building in Madison, WI. This position will be required to come into the office for scheduled in-person workdays, training, meetings and/or operational needs. Employees will be generally expected to telework from within the State of Wisconsin. Further questions regarding hybrid and remote work may be discussed more at the time of the interview.

The PSC is a great place to work! In addition to meaningful and rewarding work, we offer a competitive benefits package featuring:

• Substantial leave time including at least 3.5 weeks of paid leave time to start, 9 paid holidays, and 130 hours of sick time that roll over each year.
• Excellent and affordable health, vision, and dental benefits (health plan options start at just $49/month for single plans and $122/month for family plans after two months of employment)
• A casual office atmosphere, flexible work schedules, and telework options depending on the position’s requirements
• An exceptional pension plan with employer match and lifetime retirement payment, plus an optional tax advantaged 457 retirement savings plan
• Well Wisconsin Wellness Program
• A free and confidential employee assistance program that offers employees and their immediate family dependents a variety of tools, resources, and professional consultation services to support their health, goals, and overall well-being
• Use this Total Rewards Calculator to see the total value of our competitive benefits package!

In addition to our generous employee benefits, we strive for inclusivity and celebrate different religious holidays and cultural observances and provide flexibility for utilizing paid time off for such celebrations.

Position Summary

The Federal Broadband Grants Specialist position serves as a subject matter expert on post-award program management, planning, monitoring and evaluation, and policy and procedure development for the over $1 billion Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Infrastructure Grant program funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
The position is responsible for a variety of high-level complex tasks including management of program activities, independent policy and data analysis, and interpretation of complex federal and state laws, regulations, and policies. The Federal Broadband Grants Specialist-Advanced position conducts complex research and analyzes data pertaining to the program area’s conditions and needs. The position provides technical expertise and outreach to eligible recipients and grantees through emails, phone calls, webinars and the creation of written instructions. The incumbent will also be responsible for compliance review of submitted payments and documentation. 

This position is also responsible for the independent complex review of project proposals for grant funds, formulating funding recommendations, negotiating and drafting contracts, and monitoring assisted projects for compliance with contract terms and conditions and with the wide range of complex federal regulations. 

This position is slated to expire May 3rd, 2030, or through the availability of funding, whichever expires first. The selected candidate must be a Wisconsin resident.

To review the full position description, please email Benjamin Harwell at [email protected] 

Salary Information

This position is in schedule-range 07-03 with an annual salary of $63,440-$84,240, plus excellent benefits. A twelve-month probationary period is required. Pay for current state employees will be set in accordance with the Wisconsin State Compensation Plan.

Job Details

This project/permanent position has been authorized through May 3rd, 2030.  Project/Permanent positions are eligible for all benefits (including paid time off) as well as civil service status.  After successful completion of the 12-month probationary period, the employees in this position will attain permanent status.

The PSC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. As a state agency, we operate under an Equity and Inclusion Plan that aims to create a welcoming environment for all employees and has the full commitment of the Chairperson. We encourage all of our staff to participate in activities organized by our Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee.

Prior to any appointments for position(s) filled from this announcement, candidates may be subject to a comprehensive criminal background check.

The Public Service Commission is a registered participant in the federal work authorization program commonly known as E-Verify to verify employment eligibility of all employees hired on or after June 18, 2015.

The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin is unable to sponsor work visas for new hires. Any appointment made will be contingent on the applicant being able to prove valid status to work in the United States.

Qualifications

Qualified applicants will have experience with all of the following:

• Grants administration and management. 
• Interpreting and applying complex information such as grant applications, contracts, laws, or regulations
• Providing technical assistance to customers over the phone and in writing related to a program.

In addition to having all of the above, well qualified applicants will have experience with one or more of the following:

• Collaborating with external partners (i.e., community partners, professional organizations, etc.)
• Developing and conducting grant monitoring for compliance.
• Working with broadband programs or deployment of federal funds