Grants Management Specialist

This position is located in the Office of Grants Policy and Management (OGPM) and serves as a Grants Management Specialist. The incumbent is responsible for implementing and managing discretionary and formula grants, cooperative agreements, and other related instruments in all IMLS funding programs. The incumbent works collaboratively with staff in all IMLS offices that may make awards to provide assistance and services.

Due to the Pandemic and individual states with different phases of reopening, the selectee's report date to the official duty station (Washington, DC) may be delayed until such time as employees are allowed to report to the workplace. The person selected may telework up to the maximum extent possible, up to and including full time, until it is determined by state and Federal officials that employees are allowed to report to the workplace (Washington, DC) where this position is located, on a regular basis.

If selected for the Grants Management Specialist position, the incumbent will perform administrative business, policy, and analytical work involving: (1) the management, awarding, and obligation of funds for Federal assistance including discretionary and formula grants, cooperative agreements, and other related assistance, using financial, administrative, business, and negotiation procedures; (2) the evaluation of competitive and non-competitive grant proposals for eligibility (including SAM.gov status and IMLS compliance status); and (3) the fiscal administration, termination, and/or close out of grants and/or other assistance and agreement awards.

At the full performance level, typical work assignments will include but are not limited to the following:

• Reviewing awardee fiscal performance through analyses of interim financial reports and payment requests.

• Providing assistance to awardees to resolve issues of delinquent reporting and financial report errors.

• Reviewing final financial reports, make appropriate adjustments or disallowances, and process close outs.

• Providing assistance to IMLS staff in using agency's electronic Grants Management System (eGMS) with emphasis on financial functions and reports.

• Assisting with systems problem-solving in agency's electronic Grants Management System (eGMS).

Not required

No

12

• Job family (Series)

  1109 Grants Management

• Requirements

  RequirementsConditions of Employment
  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
  • If not previously completed, a background security investigation will be required for all appointees. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication.
  • Documentation that you present for purposes of completing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 will be verified through the DHS "E-Verify" System.
  • Relocation expenses will not be authorized.
  • Resume and supporting documents (see Required Documents).
  • You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.
  Qualifications

  MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
  
  GS-12:
  To be minimally qualified at the GS-12 grade level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level or equivalent pay band. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position and is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is defined as experience that includes the following: (1) knowledge and/or experience researching and applying laws, regulations, policies and precedents governing the administration of various financial assistance awards; (2) experience applying a wide range of analytical techniques in the oversight of grants programs and financial compliance; (3) skill in written communications to create policies, reports, and respond to internal/external inquiries; and (4) skill in oral communications to communicate with internal/external stakeholders, conducts training, and lead projects and other initiatives.
  
  GS-11: To be minimally qualified at the GS-11 grade level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level or equivalent pay band. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position and is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is defined as experience that includes the following: (1) knowledge and/or experience with interpreting grants management laws, policies, and procedures; (2) experience applying established techniques to monitor the financial compliance of active grants; (3) skill in written communications to create reports, and respond to internal/external inquiries; and (4) skill in oral communications to provide technical and general assistance to internal/external stakeholders.
  OR
  Three (3) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree (i.e., PhD or equivalent doctoral degree), related to the position. Graduate level education must demonstrate the competencies necessary to do the work of the position. Qualifying education includes one or a combination of the following degree fields: (i.e., Business Administration, Accounting, or Finance).
  OR
  Possess a combination of specialized experience and graduate level education (i.e., Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree) related to the position). Graduate level education must demonstrate the competencies necessary to do the work of the position. Qualifying education includes one or a combination of the following degree fields: (i.e., Business Administration, Accounting, or Finance).
  NOTE: (Only graduate education in excess second year may be used in this calculation to qualify applicants for positions at the GS-11.). See "Combination of education and experience" for more information on calculating percentage of education.
  
  NOTE:
  1. 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, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
  
  2. Combining Education and Experience: Combinations of successfully completed post undergraduate education and experience may be used to meet the minimum qualification requirements for the grade level(s) specified above. To compute the percentage, divide your total months of qualifying experience by 12. Next, divide your semester hours of graduate education. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify.
  
  3. Graduate Education: To qualify for the GS-1109 position at the GS-11 grade level(s) on the basis of graduate level education, graduate education must be in one or a combination of the following degree fields is required: (i.e., Business Administration, Accounting, or Finance). An academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 academic year of full-time study. This determination is made based on normal course loads for a full year of study in the graduate program. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours should be considered as satisfying the 1 year of full-time study requirement. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended.
  
  Only graduate education in excess of the first two years may be used to qualify applicants for positions at the GS-11.
  
  Your resume and application materials should demonstrate that you possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs). Do not provide a separate narrative written statement. Rather, you must describe in your application or resume how your past work experience demonstrates that you possess the KSAs identified in the specialized experience definition. Cite specific examples of experience contained in your resume and describe how this experience has prepared you to successfully perform the duties of this position. DO NOT write, "See resume" in your application.

  Education

  For the GS-12 grade level:
  Education is not a substitute for specialized experience at the GS-12 grade level.
  
  For the GS-11 grade level:
  ARE YOU USING YOUR EDUCATION TO QUALIFY?
  You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unless otherwise stated: (1) official or unofficial transcripts are acceptable, or (2) you may submit a list with all of your courses, grades, semester, year, and credit for the course. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement. All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, see the Department of Education website at www.ed.gov.
  
  PASS/FAIL COURSES:
  If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society.
  
  FOREIGN EDUCATION:
  if you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html .

  Additional information

  Career Transition Assistance Programs:
  These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 85 or above; and, (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp .
  
  Selective Service Registration:
  Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx).
  
  Veterans Preference:
  If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and are claiming 5-points veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must also submit an SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" plus the proof required by that form. For more information on veterans' preference visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Veterans.
  
  HIRING INCENTIVES:

  • Eligible for Student Loan Repayment Program
  • Eligible for Tuition Assistance Program
  • This position is telework eligible
  
  
  How You Will Be Evaluated

  You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

  Your application will be evaluated and rated under IMLS's Category Rating and Selection Procedures. Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the Occupational Questionnaire. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job. If it is determined you meet all qualification requirements, your application will then be placed in one of three categories:

  • Best Qualified
  • Highly Qualified
  • Qualified
  The Category Rating Process does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three" but protects the rights of Veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each quality category. Veterans' preference eligibles who meet all qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent will be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-09 level or higher).
  
  If you are found to be among the top qualified candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration. Within these categories, applicants eligible for Veterans' Preference will receive selection priority over non-veteran preference eligibles.
  
  All applicants' qualifications will be evaluated on the below-listed competencies, which are required for this position. Please outline experience/ education for these competencies in your resume. The required competencies for this position are as follows:
  
  Attention to Detail: Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
  Computer Skills: Uses computers, software applications, databases, and automated systems to accomplish work.
  Customer Service: Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside the Government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services.
  Grants Management:Knowledge of requirements, practices, and procedures for soliciting, receiving, reviewing, and processing proposals, and awarding and administering grants and agreements.
  Planning and Evaluating: Organizes work, sets priorities, and determines resource requirements; determines short- or long-term goals and strategies to achieve them; coordinates with other organizations or parts of the organization to accomplish goals; monitors progress and evaluates outcomes.
  
  The Occupational Questionnaire will take you approximately 20 minutes to complete. To preview the Occupational Questionnaire, click the following link:https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11082328.
  
  Background checks and security clearanceSecurity clearance

  Not Required

  Drug test required

  No

  Position sensitivity and risk

  Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

  Trust determination process

  Credentialing, Suitability/Fitness

• Required Documents

  Required Documents

  To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
  1. Required: Your responses to the Online Occupational Questionnaire (This is completed automatically during the apply online
  process).
  2. Required: Your resume showing relevant experience and dates (month/year) of employment and work schedule for each (e.g., part-
  time XX hours per week or fulltime) (cover letter optional). Please limit your resume to 5 pages and include only information that
  demonstrates you meet the eligibility for this position.
  3. Required, if you meet qualifications based on education: An unofficial college transcript. (Note: If you are selected for this position, official transcript will be required prior to your first day.).
  4. Required, if applicable: Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Inter-agency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP)? If so, submit:

  • A copy of your Reduction In-Force (RIF) separation notice; OR notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate OR; notice of disability annuity termination or certification from your former agency that it cannot place you after your recovery from a work-related (OWCP) compensable injury; OR certification that you are eligible for Special Disability Retirement as a Former Military Reserve/National Guard Technician.
  • A copy of your SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action'', documenting your RIF separation, noting your positions, grade level, and duty location, and/or Agency certification letter of inability to place you through the Reemployed Priority Listing (RPL), etc.
  • A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and
  • Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential.
  5. Required, if applicable: DD-214 or certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions within 120 days, or letter referencing service-connected disability from the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Standard Form (SF) 15.
  6. Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee? Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:
  • Beginning and ending dates of appointment
  • Agency; and
  • Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee);
  • Position title
  NOTE: Please review the above list(s) to ensure you have included all necessary documents required for your application. Not every applicant will require the same documents, therefore it is the applicants responsibility to ensure that their application package includes all necessary documents to determine qualifications and eligibility for appointment, such as a copy of your SF-50, transcript, ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).You will not be contacted for additional information.
  
  Applicants will be deemed ineligible if supporting documentation is not submitted. If your materials are not received by the closing date, your application will be evaluated solely on the information available and you may not receive full consideration or may not
  be considered eligible. Also, if you do not provide a valid email address, you may not be notified of the outcome of your application.

• Benefits

  Benefits

  A career with the U.S. Government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

  Review our benefits

  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time, or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

• Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

  Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.

• The public

  U.S. citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Open to all U.S. Citizens and individuals eligible under the Inter-Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP).