Summary
This position is located in the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), Programs Office (PO). OJP provides federal leadership, funding, and other critical resources to directly support law enforcement, combat violent crime, protect American children, provide services to American crime victims, and address public safety challenges, including human trafficking and the opioid crisis.
This job is open to
The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Federal employees - Competitive service
Current federal employees whose agencies follow the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's hiring rules and pay scales.
Internal to an agency
Current federal employees of the hiring agency that posted the job announcement.
Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)
Federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants.
Land and base management
Current or former employees of a base management agency.
Veterans
Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces or a spouse, widow, widower or parent of a veteran, who may be eligible for derived preference
Military spouses
Military spouses of active duty service members or whose spouse is 100 percent disabled or died on active duty.
Individuals with disabilities
Individuals who are eligible under Schedule A.
Peace Corps & AmeriCorps Vista
Individuals who have served at least 2 years with the Peace Corps or 1 year with AmeriCorps VISTA.
Special authorities
Individuals eligible under a special authority not listed in another hiring path.
Clarification from the agency
Applicants must be U.S. Citizens. Applicants will be considered under Delegated Examining, Merit Promotion, and/or Non-Competitive procedures based upon eligibility.
Duties
The duties and responsibilities for a GS- 1109-11/12/13 generally include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Serves as Grants Management Specialist in the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), Programs Office (PO), with responsibility for programmatic and fiscal oversight, planning, development, implementation, and assessment of grant programs that support state, local, and tribal justice strategies to achieve safer communities and address chronic and emerging criminal justice challenges nationwide.
- Develops and reviews grant solicitation materials by identifying program priorities, establishing eligibility criteria, drafting application instructions and evaluation criteria, and ensuring compliance with federal regulations and agency policies.
- Prepares award documentation including grant award letters, special conditions, and terms and conditions by analyzing programmatic and fiscal requirements, incorporating regulatory provisions, and coordinating with program officials and legal counsel.
- Manages grant closeout processes by reviewing final financial and programmatic reports, verifying resolution of outstanding issues and deliverables, ensuring compliance with closeout procedures, and processing administrative closeout in grants management systems.
- Conducts program assessments and evaluations by analyzing performance data from grant activities, identifying trends and areas for improvement, evaluating program effectiveness, and developing recommendations to enhance program operations and outcomes.
- Serves as liaison and technical resource by responding to inquiries from grantees, applicants, and stakeholders regarding grant policies and procedures, interpreting federal regulations and program requirements, and providing guidance on grant administration matters.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- You must be a United States Citizen.
- You will be required to complete a pre-employment security investigation and background check which includes a drug screening.
- Selective Service registration is required for males born on, or after, December 31, 1959. Those not registered should have an approved exemption on file.
- You must meet all eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement and continue to meet these requirements throughout the hiring process. Offers can be rescinded if requirements are not met.
- Financial Disclosure: If selected, you may be required to disclose financial information in accordance with DOJ and Federal ethics guidelines.
- Security Requirements: Non-Sensitive/Moderate Risk
- A USA Hire assessment is required. An email will be sent with additional information after you submit your application. You will have 48 hours from the closing date of this announcement to complete the assessment.
Qualifications
To qualify for the position of Grants Management Specialist, at GS-1109-11/12/13, you must meet the qualification requirements listed below.
For GS-13:
Specialized Experience: Applicants must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level. Specialized experience is experience which is in or related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Examples of specialized experience include:
- Conducted complex post-award financial management activities such as reviewing budget modifications, evaluating cost reasonableness and allowability, overseeing and validating expenditures ensuring full compliance, and ensuring expenditures aligned with approved budgets and federal regulations, identifying patterns, resolving issues, and guiding others on best practices.
- Managed pre-award coordination activities by reviewing grant applications, assessing applicant qualifications and proposed activities, verifying compliance with solicitation criteria, and preparing evaluation documentation for large or complex discretionary and formula grants.
- Conducted compliance reviews of grant awards by analyzing financial and progress reports, assessing compliance with federal requirements and award terms, and providing technical assistance to grantees regarding reporting and regulatory obligations.
For GS-12:
Specialized Experience: Applicants must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level. Specialized experience is experience which is in or related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Examples of specialized experience include:
- Conducted post-award financial activities, such as reviewing budget modification requests, identifying issues related to cost allocation or compliance, program activities aligned with approved budgets, identifying potential risks or inconsistencies and recommending corrective actions.
- Conducted pre-award activities, including reviewing grant applications for completeness and eligibility, evaluating applicant qualifications and proposed activities, verifying compliance with solicitation requirements, identifying potential issues and risks, and documenting findings to support award decisions.
- Conducted grant compliance reviews by analyzing financial and programmatic reports, identifying areas of non-compliance with federal requirements and award terms, and providing guidance to grantees on corrective actions and regulatory obligations.
For GS-11:
Specialized Experience: Applicants must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level. Specialized experience is experience which is in or related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Examples of specialized experience include:
- Supported post-award financial monitoring by reviewing budget modification requests for completeness, verifying expenditure documentation, checking costs against approved budgets, and tracking compliance with federal financial regulations.
- Assisted with pre-award coordination by conducting initial reviews of grant applications for completeness and eligibility, verifying required documentation, assessing compliance with basic solicitation criteria, and preparing application summaries for evaluation panels.
- Supported grant compliance monitoring activities by reviewing grantee financial and progress reports, identifying discrepancies or missing information, documenting findings, and communicating reporting requirements and deadlines to grantees.
Substitution of Education for Experience:
- A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or three (3) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.M. if related.
Combination of Education and Experience:
- Equivalent combinations of successfully completed education and experience may be used to meet the experience requirements.
Online Assessment:
This position requires an online assessment. After you submit this application, you will receive an e-mail informing you that a USA Hire assessment is required of you. You will have 48 hours from the closing date of this announcement 07/20/2026 to complete the assessment as this assessment is part of your application.
You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):
- All Grade Levels (GS-11, 12, 13):
- Reading Comprehension
- Attention to Detail
- Customer Service
- Flexibility
- Integrity/Honesty
- Interpersonal Skills
- Self-Management
- Stress Tolerance
- Teamwork
- GS-11 and 13 only:
- GS-13 only:
- Decision Making
- Influencing/Negotiating
You
MUST meet all qualification requirements, including time-in-grade, by the closing date of this announcement, 07/20/2026.
Your resume must support your responses to the online questionnaire and the qualification requirements. Failure to do so may result in an ineligible rating.
See the Required Documents section for important notes about what must be included in your resume.
After you submit your application, you will receive notification indicated whether or not the USA Hire assessment is required. You will have 48 hours from the closing date of this announcement to complete the assessment which is part of your application.
Education
For the GS-12 and GS-13 level:
You must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone. No substitution of education for experience is permitted.
For the GS-11 level only:
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements, please see the statements below.
Education must be reviewed and certified by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, in order for it to be creditable towards your qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from accredited institution.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website. If you are qualifying on foreign education, you MUST submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.
Additional information
- OJP offers opportunities for flexible work schedules.
- Additional selections may be made from this announcement.
- Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin
- Probationary Period: You may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period to evaluate your fitness and whether continued employment advances the public interest. We may consider: 1) performance and conduct; 2) agency needs and interests; 3) advancement of agency/Government organizational goals; and 4) Federal service efficiency. Upon completion, employment terminates unless you receive written certification that your continued employment advances the public interest.
- EEO Statement/Policy: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. More information can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/jmd/media/1425556/dl?inline.
- DOJ Reasonable Accommodation Policy: Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. The DOJ Reasonable Accommodation policy can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/jmd/reasonable-accommodation#policy
- Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs: The Fair Chance Act prohibits Federal agencies from requesting an applicant's criminal history information before the agency makes a conditional offer of employment. If you believe a DOJ employee or Federal contractor acting on its behalf has violated your rights under this Act, you may submit a written complaint within 30 days of the date of the alleged non-compliance directly to . Note: In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201(b) certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance Act.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
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 qualifications will be reviewed against the requirements above, and you will be considered under every eligibility that applies to you.
Your complete application package (resume/supporting documentation, online questionnaire, and USA Hire Competency Based Assessment) will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement.
The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. You will not be considered for the position if you fail to complete the assessment. Your USAHIRE assessment results will be kept on record for one year and used toward future positions for which you might apply that require the same assessments. If you would like to preview the application questionnaire, please see: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12990862
For All U.S. Citizens applying under Delegated Examining:
Your application will be evaluated and rated using Rule of Many procedures under 5 C.F.R. § 332.402 based on set Number of Candidates. Preference eligibles will receive 5 or 10 points added to their score based on the adjudicated preference.
All eligibles at or above the pre-determined top 35 candidates including any preference eligibles with a service-connected disability of 10 percent or more, at any score, will be referred to the selecting official for consideration. All eligibles with a tied rating will be referred even if the results exceed the pre-established number or percentage.
The selecting official will receive a sufficient number of names, when available, to consider at least three candidates per vacancy. If fewer than three eligible and available candidates per vacancy result, the referral will be expanded in accordance with DOJ's guidance on supplemental certification. The selecting official will adhere to veterans' preference rules and Rule of Many procedures when making selections.
For Applicants applying under Internal, Merit Promotion, or Non-Competitive Procedures:
Merit Promotion/Status: If you are basically qualified for this job, as described above, and are among the top candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.
Non-Competitive: If you are basically qualified for this job, as described above, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.
For Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)/Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP): If you have CTAP/ICTAP eligibility and are found well-qualified for this vacancy, you will receive selection priority over other candidates. To be found well qualified, you must meet and exceed all qualification requirements and score 85 or better on established ranking criteria.
Technical Qualifications:
Applicants identified for interview, will be further evaluated on the following technical qualifications:
- Grants/Cooperative Agreement Program Management
- Grant and Cooperative Agreement Post-Award Oversight
- Compliance Monitoring and Performance Assessment
Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials, application questionnaire, or during an interview may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.
Required Documents
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Resume (Maximum 2 pages):
Include for each job:
- Official position title
- Employer name and contact information
- Start and end dates (month and year)
- Full-time or part-time hours per week
- Duties performed and accomplishments
See How do I write a resume for more information
Current or Former Federal employee:
- Most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) or equivalent agency form (not award SF-50s)
- Must show: Full position title, series, grade and step, organization, duty location, effective date, service type, and tenure status
- Performance evaluation with final rating (or statement explaining why unavailable)
- List of awards from the last 5 years (e.g., superior performance, special act/achievement, quality step increases). Documentation will be forwarded to the selecting official for consideration during selection. This applies to federal and non-federal work
See Current & Former Employees for more information
Veterans or Qualifying Family Members:
Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA): Preference eligible OR veterans with 3+ years active service
- DD-214 Member #4 Copy showing service dates, character of service, and discharge type; OR
- Certification letter from armed forces confirming expected honorable discharge/release within 120 days
30% or More Disabled Veteran:
- VA Letter with disability rating
- DD-214 Member #4 Copy
- SF-15 (10-point Veterans Preference form)
5 or 10-point Veterans Preference:
- DD-214 Member #4 Copy
- VA Letter (if applicable)
- SF-15
Veterans' Recruitment Appointment (VRA) (GS-11 or below): Disabled veterans; wartime/campaign veterans; Armed Forces Service Medal recipients; or veterans separated within the past 3 years
- DD-214 Member #4 Copy
- VA Letter (if applicable)
See
FedsHireVets or USAJOBS Help Center - Veterans for more information
Military Spouse Appointing Authority:
If spouse is on active duty:
- Spouse's active-duty documentation
- Marriage certification
If spouse has 100% disability:
- Documentation showing 100% disability rating
- Marriage certification
If spouse was killed on active duty:
- Documentation of death while on active duty
- Marriage certificate
- Statement certifying unremarried status
See Military spouses for more information
Schedule A (Individuals with disabilities):
- Official letter on letterhead from a doctor or licensed medical professional; Licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist, OR; Federal, state, or local disability benefits agency
- Letter must state you have an intellectual disability, severe physical disability, or psychiatric disability.
See
OPM's Schedule A for more information
CTAP/ICTAP (Career Transition Programs):
- Separation notice, agency RIF letter, OR letter of intent to separate
- Most recent performance appraisal
- SF-50 showing current/former position details
See Career Transition Programs for more information
Land and Base Management:
- Most recent SF-50 equivalent agency form
See Base facilities or land management agency for more information
Peace Corps or AmeriCorps VISTA:
- Certification of service documents
See Peace Corps & AmeriCorps VISTA for more information
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 online application questionnaire and submit your supporting documentation. Your complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 07/20/2026 to receive consideration.
The application process is as follows:
- Click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
- Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
- After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
- You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
- Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59PM (ET) on07/20/2026.
- After submitting an online application, you will be notified whether or not you are required to take additional online assessments through the USA Hire Competency Based Assessment system. This message will be delivered to you via email notification. The email may be routed to your "Spam" or "Junk" folder.
- If you are asked to take the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be presented with a unique URL to access the USA Hire system. Access to USA Hire is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Be sure to review all instructions prior to beginning your USA Hire Assessments.
- Note, set aside at least 3 hours to take these assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue at a later time, you can re-use the URL sent to you via email and also found on the Additional Application Information page that can be located in the application record in your USAJOBS account.
Essay Questions:
The following four narrative questions provide an opportunity for you to highlight your dedication to public service for the hiring manager and agency leadership (or designee(s)). While your responses are not required and will not be scored, we encourage you to thoughtfully address each question. Please provide a response of 200 words or less to each question (
see the application questionnaire). You will be asked to certify that you are using your own words and did not use a consultant or artificial intelligence (AI) such as a large language model (LLM) like ChatGPT or Copilot.
- How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government? Provide a concrete example from professional, academic, or personal experience.
- In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness? Provide specific examples where you improved processes, reduced costs, or improved outcomes.
- How would you help advance the President's Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role? Identify one or two relevant Executive Orders or policy initiatives that are significant to you and explain how you would help implement them if hired.
- How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements? Provide one or two specific examples and explain how those qualities would enable you to serve effectively in this position.
Need Help?
If you need help with USAJOBs or the application process, please see the USAJOBS Help website which includes information on managing your account, creating an application, uploading documents, etc.
Reasonable Accommodation:
To request reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact the hiring agency contact directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Next steps
Based on your application and your responses to the application questionnaire, you may be presented with instructions on how to access the USA Hire system to complete the online assessments. The online assessments must be completed within 48 hours following the close of this announcement. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation for the assessment should you have a disability covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
You will receive e-mail notifications as your application status is updated by DOJ. However, you can also see your application status any time by logging in to your USAJOBS account and looking on the "Applications" page. Click the position title to expand the display for each application in the list.
We strive to extend a final offer of employment within 90 days from the close of this announcement. Additional selections may be made from this announcement within 90 days.