Director, Office Grant Administration Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. AC-25-12664069-CD Department AmeriCorps
Salary $204,000.00 to $204,000.00 Grade 2 to 2
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 1/13/2025 Close Date 1/27/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Washington, DC


Summary

This position is located in the Office of the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Office of Grant Administration (OGA) and reports to the CFO.

Duties

  • Provides leadership, supervision and direction to the Office of Grants Administration.
  • Oversees grant close-outs and due diligence and works across departments to integrate key risk and monitoring practices into the administration of our grants.
  • Advises on and oversees the policies that govern AmeriCorps' grantmaking and developing the agencywide grant calendar.
  • Exercises discretion and diplomacy across departments to coordinate and execute work.
  • Oversees financial aspects of grants management including application budget guidance, financial reporting guidance, closeout guidance, and many components of the pre-award risk assessment.
  • Oversees the issuing of Notice of Grant Awards, development and delivery of financial management training for staff and AmeriCorps end users on pre- and post- award financial management activities, and financial oversight systems and policies.
  • Provides leadership and guidance for development and implementation of grant-making strategies that are aligned with the vision of AmeriCorps.
  • Develops goals and objectives for AmeriCorps award review, evaluates the effectiveness of the award review process, and continually works to strengthen, streamline, and improve it.
  • Serves as an advisor to the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Operating Officer and other senior leaders on matters that affect the financial management of grants that are key to agency strategic program objectives, operating principles and partnerships.
  • Maintains subject matter expertise on government-wide and agency-specific statutes; regulations; and policies, included but not limited to ensuring AmeriCorps representation on relevant interagency working groups.
  • Establishes and maintains an environment of transactional integrity, including a solid system of internal controls and a culture of trust and transparency in all aspects of OGA's work.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a United States Citizen
  • A 2-year probationary period is required for new Federal employees and supervisors.
  • Merit Promotion and internal applicants must submit a SF-50 to verify Status and grade
  • Satisfactory completion of a background investigation.
  • May be required to file a SF-278, Public Financial Disclosure Report
  • Dates of employment, including beginning and end dates in the following format: month/day/year, must be included on resume.

Qualifications

Resume: You must submit a resume that clearly demonstrates you have experience that meets the requirements of this position.

Basic Job Requirements: As a basic requirement, your resume must clearly demonstrate progressively responsible leadership experience that validates executive level managerial capabilities in a job or combination of functions directly related to this position. Qualifying experience to be at least one year equivalent to, or above, the GS-14 level in the Federal service or NY-04/NX-1 (AmeriCorps pay band).

In addition, experience must include a broad range of progressive experience.

Use the following approach to describe your accomplishments:

Challenge-Context-Action-Result (CCAR) Model
Use one to two examples of relevant experience for each ECQ. The number of examples is not as important as ensuring that your experience matches the ECQ criteria.
Challenge - Describe a specific problem or goal.
Context - Describe the individuals and groups you worked with, and/or the environment in which you worked, to address a particular challenge (e.g., clients, co-workers, members of Congress, shrinking budget, low morale).
Action - Discuss the specific actions you took to address a challenge.
Result - Give specific examples of measures/outcomes that had some impact on the organization. These accomplishments demonstrate the quality and effectiveness of your leadership skills.

All candidates for SES positions with the Federal Government must demonstrate leadership experience indicative of senior executive level management capability. To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show IN YOUR RESUME that you possess the Five Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Job Specific Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) listed below. It is recommended that your resume emphasize levels of responsibility, scope and complexity of programs managed, and program accomplishments and results.

The Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) listed below must be addressed separately as a narrative statement and attached as part of your application package.

Do not exceed more than 14 pages total for the ECQs and MTQs. Current or former SES Career members and applicants who have completed a SES Candidate Development Program approved by OPM are not required to address the Executive Core Qualifications but must address the Mandatory Technical Qualifications.

Applicants who submit narrative responses that exceed the page limits will be disqualified.

It is STRONGLY recommended that you visit the following Office of Personnel Management (OPM) webpage for more information regarding the Fundamental Competencies and ECQs https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/senior-executive-service/executive-core-qualifications/#url=Overview Example of ECQ statements are available athttps://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/senior-executive-service/reference-materials/guidetosesquals_2012.pdf

If you are currently serving in a career SES appointment, are eligible for reinstatement into the SES, or have successfully completed an SES Candidate Development Program approved by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), you WILL NOT need to draft the ECQs.

Federal Executive Institute (FEI) Leadership for a Democratic Society (LDS) does not quality as an SES CDP

Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs)
ECQ 1: Leading Change
This core qualification involves the ability to bring about strategic change, both within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to establish an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing environment.

ECQ 2:
Leading People

This core qualification involves the ability to lead people toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts.

ECQ 3: Results Driven
This core qualification involves the ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to make decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks.

ECQ 4: Business Acumen
This core qualification involves the ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically.

ECQ 5: Building Coalitions
This core qualification involves the ability to build coalitions internally and with other Federal agencies, State and local governments, nonprofit and private sector organizations, foreign governments, or international organizations to achieve common goals.

Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs):
TQ 1: Proven ability to give technical policy advice and support to senior officials in areas like grants administration, financial management, or financial grants management systems. This includes decision-making, working with other agencies, and testifying before Congress.

TQ 2: Demonstrated leadership in overseeing and applying Federal laws and regulations to create grants management policies, directives, and guidance. This includes training and ensuring policy compliance, or experience in leading various grants policy oversight and training functions.

TQ 3: Proven experience in leading and managing a complex, diverse Federal government organization. This includes improving organizational performance in grants management, developing strategies, setting performance goals, and managing risks within budget limits.


IMPORTANT INFORMATION (PLEASE READ):

Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs)

Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs)
  • All applicants must submit narrative responses to the MTQs.
  • The MTQs as listed above must be addressed separately as a narrative statement and be attached as part of your application package.
  • MTQs must not exceed 4 pages in total.

All AmeriCorps positions are in the excepted service and our compensation system is based outside of the General Schedule system. The Director, Modernization position is classified within our executive pay-band and is equivalent to an SES level position. As a result, we look to the executive core qualifications, similar to what is used in the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Executive Core Qualifications, to help us make this selection.

Applicants who submit narrative responses that exceed the page limit will be disqualified.

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

Education

Education may not be substituted for experience at this grade level.

Additional information

Additional Selections: Additional selections may be made from this announcement or for similar positions across AmeriCorps. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) at AmeriCorps.

Military Selective Service Act: If you are a male applicant who was born after 12/31/59 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency.

Veteran's Preference: If you are claiming 5-point or 10-point veteran's preference, you must submit documentation described below in "Required Documents."

Special Employment Consideration: Persons with disabilities, disabled veterans who have a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more, certain other veterans, spouses of certain members of the Armed Forces, VISTA volunteers, some Peace Corps employees and returning Peace Corps volunteers are examples of individuals who are potentially eligible for noncompetitive appointment. If you are eligible and would like to be considered for one of these noncompetitive appointments, applicable documentation that supports your eligibility must be submitted with your application package.

Ethics Requirement: Our Agency is committed to the highest ethical standards and, as an employee you will be covered by the criminal conflict of interest statutes (18 U.S.C. 201-209) and the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch (5 C.F.R. part 2635). Additionally, you may be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450) or Public Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 278e) within 30 days of your appointment date and on an annual basis thereafter.

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.

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 first for the basic qualifications described above. The applications that meet the basic qualifications will be evaluated further against the following criteria:

Important Note: Your resume must support your answers to the job specific questions. High self-assessment on the Occupational Questionnaire that is not supported by the information in your resume or supporting documents can/will result in elimination from further consideration. If you do not answer all of the job specific questions you will not be considered. Incomplete applications (resume and required supporting documents) will be considered ineligible.

Qualified applicants will be placed in one of the following three categories:

1 - Qualified Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements as described in the Qualifications section of this announcement.
2 - Well Qualified Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements and demonstrates proficiency based on the answers to the job specific questions.
3 - Best Qualified Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements and demonstrates high level proficiency based on the answers to the job specific questions.

NOTE: Status candidates will be considered under the provisions of the agency's Human Resources system which allows for:
1) Non-competitive referral of lateral candidates; and
2) The separation of status and non-status applicants for referral purposes.

Status candidates will be referred on one selection list only, i.e., either merit promotion or non-competitive. Non-status candidates who are eligible for Noncompetitive referral, e.g. Peace Corps, VRA, etc., will be referred under Noncompetitive procedures only. For Noncompetitive categories, See "Special Employment Consideration" below under "Other Information."

Required Documents

  • Resume showing relevant experience (cover letter optional);
  • Unofficial transcript (if qualifying based on education):
  • Veterans' Consideration Documentation (DD-214, VA Letter, and SF-15 if claiming 10-point preference; DD-214 if claiming 5-point preference), if applicable;
  • For Merit Promotion Eligibility: SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (must indicate tenure and position occupied), if applicable;
  • Documentation supporting eligibility for Non-Competitive appointment, e.g., Schedule A (severely disabled), eligible veterans (VRA or 30-percent or more disabled), VISTA, Peace Corps, etc., if applicable

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire, which is available to preview here https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12664069, along with submitting the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on 01/27/2025.

  • To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
  • Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package.
  • It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
  • To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the Agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
  • To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

Agency contact information

AmeriCorps Hiring
Address
AmeriCorps
250 E Street SW
Washington, DC 20525
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Once the occupational questionnaire is received, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful, however, you must also include a resume and any other documents that are applicable to you under the "Required Documents" section of this vacancy announcement. After a review of your complete application is made, you will be notified of your status via email. Please be aware that emails could reside in your "junk," "bulk," or "spam" mail folder, depending on your filters. You will be notified of the final outcome.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.