CDBG GRANT SPECIALIST

Salary Information:B21, $5,302.50/MO.

State Classification:Grant Specialist III – 1921

FLSA Status: Exempt

Posting Number:26-57142-1R

Location:Austin, TX

Telework Option:TDA does not offer telework, and all employees are required to be physically present for work.

HOW TO APPLY

Apply online via CAPPSApplicants applying in Work In Texas (WIT) will be required to complete additional supplemental questions, optionally provide EEO information including how you heard about the job, and provide an electronic signature in the CAPPS Career Section to be considered for the position.

WHO ARE WE

The Texas Department of Agriculture’s Trade and Business Development division is dedicated to enhancing the economic vitality and quality of life in rural Texas through its community and economic development programs. Division staff work with small rural hospitals, rural communities, Texas businesses, and various organizations and associations throughout the state.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

The CDBG Grant Specialist will perform complex grant administration and technical assistance work associated with the Texas Community Development Block Grant (TxCDBG) program and other community and economic development programs administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA). You will be responsible for administering projects awarded through grants including approving payments, reviewing progress reports, evaluating project amendments and ensuring compliance with guidelines. You may serve as a subject matter expert providing direction to others. You will work under limited supervision with considerate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Maintain grant administration procedures for infrastructure projects from award to completion, evaluate grant performance to determine compliance with requirements and standards.

Review records, reports, financial statements, and management practices for assigned grants to ensure compliance with state statutes and internal regulations, legal interpretations and departmental decisions.

Serve as liaison between the Grant Recipient and TDA. Provide technical assistance to rural communities in implementing effective grant projects through direct communication with the Grant Recipient and/or its consultant. Prepare correspondence to inform Grant Recipients of findings/concerns based on project records provided and provide recommendations for corrective action.

Analyze project costs for awarded grants, review and approve payment requests and evaluate requests for budget revisions as appropriate.

Review requests for grant agreement revisions; recommend approval of the revisions as appropriate based on established criteria.

Serve as a subject matter expert and/or assist the subject matter expert with one or more specialized compliance areas, such as federal labor standards, competitive procurement, or environmental review, as assigned.

Assist in updating the TxCDBG Project Implementation Manual, standard operating procedures, and external or internal training opportunities, as assigned.

Remain apprised of changes and updates to CDBG policies, rules and regulations.Conduct research as assigned to contribute to the division’s understanding of federal, state, and program requirements.

Follow all TDA policies and procedures.

Perform other duties as assigned.

MMINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR A GRANT SPECIALIST(The application must state how each of the following qualifications are met - resumes do not take the place of the required state of Texas application which must be completed in CAPPS or WIT.)

Bachelor’s degree (One year of work experience related to the primary responsibilities may substitute for one year of college).

Two (2) years’ work experience in the following (or closely related) fields: grant management, contract coordination, accounting, reimbursement, or compliance.

Educational Substitutions: Master’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, Public Administration or related field may substitute for required work experience

PREFERRED

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Finance or related field.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Knowledge of CDBG program and its policies, rules, or regulations; CDBG programs application development and/or contract administration and accounting methods and systems and generally accepted auditing standards and procedures.

Skill in public speaking and making presentations to groups; providing excellent customer service to both internal and external customers; operating a computer with applicable software.

Ability to analyze problems, evaluate alternatives, and recommend effective solutions; process information in a logical manner and to assess validity; work effectively under pressure and meet strict deadlines while maintaining extreme attention to detail; interpret and accurately apply the regulations of applicable federal and state programs; understand and interpret program policies and procedures; evaluate new legislation and procedures and be able to implement the policies and exercise sound judgment and discretion.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS

Normal office work environment and may have exposure to dust and environmental allergens consistent with normal business activities and human contact. Mostly sedentary in nature but may involve walking; standing; pulling and pushing; kneeling, stooping and bending; performing tasks requiring fine motor skills and coordination; and safely lifting and carrying items weighing up to 30 pounds. Must be able work extended periods at a computer and may require working extended hours and some evenings and weekends, as needed. May involve travel, occasionally overnight, (up to 5%*).

TELEWORK & WORK HOURS

The agency does not offer telework. TDA employees are required to be physically present for work

The agency’s core business hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. TDA also provides limited customer service between 6:00-8:00 a.m. and 5:00-6:00 p.m.

H-1B Visa Sponsorship

We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa.

BENEFITS

The State of Texas offers a variety of benefits for you and your family that are comprehensive and, on average, make up about one-third of total compensation. Benefits include:

üRetirement Plan

üPaid Group Health & Life Insurance for employees

üPaid Holidays

üPaid Vacation Leave

üPaid Sick Leave

üLongevity Pay

üDental

üVision

üDependent Optional Life Insurance

üVoluntary AD&D Insurance

üDependent Health & Life Insurance

üHealth & Dependent care flexible spending accounts

Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. A skills exercise may be conducted at the time of the interview.

Due to the high volume of applications, we do not accept telephone calls. If you submitted your application through the CAPPS Careers Section, you may check the status of your application by accessing your profile and selecting My Jobpage and then selecting My Submissions. To be considered for the position, applicants must complete additional supplemental questions, optionally provide EEO information including how you heard about the job, and provide an electronic signature in the CAPPS Career Section.

*A valid government-issued driver’s license, which is recognized by the Texas Department of Public Safety and in good standing, and an acceptable driving record are required. TDA will verify this information with the Texas Department of Public Safety. Applicants with a driver’s license not issued by the State of Texas should obtain and be prepared to provide a copy of their current driving record on or before their first day

Background Checks: A criminal conviction records check is required for applicants who are selected for a position.

**Foreign Credentials: upload an evaluation of your coursework if you have obtained a degree(s) from a school outside of the United States; otherwise, we cannot give you credit for your degree. Some organizations that provide evaluation services are:

Foreign Credential Services of America

1910 Justin Lane, Austin, TX 78757-2411
Phone: 512-459-8428

SpanTran: The Evaluation Company

2400 Augusta Drive, Suite 451 Houston, TX 77057
Phone: 713-266-8805

Global Credential Evaluators, Inc.

P.O. Box 9203 College Station, TX 77842
Phone: 512-528-0908

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO):TDA is an equal employment opportunity (EEO) employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, military status, or protected activity.

Reasonable Accommodations: If you are scheduled for an interview and require any reasonable accommodation in our interview process, please inform the hiring representative who calls you to schedule your interview or an HR representative at 512-463-7423. Whenever possible, please give the hiring or HR representative sufficient time to consider and respond to your request.

TDA participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security, with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

Military and Former Foster Child Employment Preference: TDA complies with the provisions of the veterans and former foster child employment preference acts. Please contact our Human Resources-Veterans Liaison at (512) 463-7454 for assistance.

Go to https://texasskillstowork.com/, https://www.onetonline.org/, or http://www.careeronestop.org/ for assistance translating your military experience and training courses into civilian job terms, qualifications/requirements, and skill sets.

Additional Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) Code or Crosswalk information is available from the Texas State Auditor’s Office at Property Management and ProcurementMOS Codes.