Grants Management Specialist

The Trade and Marketing Program (TM) analyzes industry needs and provides grants and technical assistance to improve domestic and international market access for U.S. agricultural producers. In this position, you will develop and apply grant and assistance management policies, evaluate applicant eligibility, and program submissions, and negotiate award terms related to costs, timelines, and oversight responsibilities.

DUTIES

• The duties may include, but are not limited to:
• Design, develop, implement, and interpret grant/assistance management policies, procedures, and practices.
• Monitor, analyze, and assess recipient performance and compliance with all award terms and conditions; ensuring alignment with established performance measures.
• Oversee, review, analyze, and evaluate grant/assistance applications, plans, and estimates to assess compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and award terms.
• Prepare, process, issue, and track grants/assistance awards and compliance with reporting requirements.
• Conduct risk assessments and business reviews, and review and evaluate adequacy of policies and procedures of grantees.
• Resolve audit findings or monitor audit resolution in partnership with resolution officials.
• Announce programs and solicit applications or proposals for funding.
• Perform various liaison roles between the Government and the grant recipient organization to clarify, interpret, and resolve issues, communicating grant requirements and expectations effectively.

REQUIREMENTS

Conditions of employment

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Individuals who were born male after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served. Refer to the Next Steps section for more information.
• Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/
• All USDA employees are required to be enrolled in Continuous Vetting, which authorizes government agencies to receive notifications of criminal activity on individuals who hold low risk, public trust, or national security positions.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.

FOR THE GS-12 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to at least the GS-11 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates the following:

• Applied Federal grant and financial assistance regulations to review awards and resolve routine grant issues.
• Supported pre-award and post-award grant activities by reviewing and analyzing applications, evaluating budgets and project plans, and preparing financial and performance reports.
• Routinely communicated grant requirements and findings through clear written reports and oral briefings to applicants, recipients, and program officials.

Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.