Summary
The Grants Specialist will assist the Grants Director in administering the grants program for the EAC pursuant to 5 USC §3109 (See 42 USC §15324(b)) and §204 (6)(c) of HAVA.
This job is open to
Clarification from the agency
A Public Trust Background Investigation is required for this position.
Duties
The incumbent provides expert advice to EAC leadership regarding grants management; provides advice and guidance to States and U.S. territories regarding the use of funds provided by EAC to ensure State/U.S. territory compliance with HAVA, Appropriations Law and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) circulars and 2 CFR 200; conducts oversight and monitoring to review how funds have been spent; and makes recommendations to the Director of Finance for audit resolutions.
The incumbent reports to the Grants Director who assigns work in terms of general requirements and priorities and acceptable time frames. The incumbent works independently to complete continuing and special assignments in accordance with established policies, applicable regulations, prescribed or developed procedures, and assignment specific instructions. Precedent setting, controversial, and sensitive issues and actions are referred to the supervisor for decision; however, the incumbent may provide recommendations based on thorough identification of the circumstances and comparison-with existing policies and precedents. Completed work is evaluated for conformance to established regulations and policies, accuracy, and soundness of judgment. Methods and procedures used in accomplishing specific assignments are not normally reviewed.
The incumbent provides expertise to EAC on matters related to grants management oversight, audit resolution, budget formulation, and strategic planning. Activities may include:
- Supporting the EAC in the awarding, administering, and tracking of all its grants programs;
- Developing short-term goals and objectives for the grants management program and participating in long-term strategic planning with EAC leadership;
- Providing technical assistance to the states on administering Federal funds and the allowable usage of HAVA funds;
- Processing and disbursing payments to States and discretionary grant recipients;
- Researching options for awarding remaining grant funds;
- Tracking the submission, reviewing, and approving the content of financial and performance reports submitted by States and discretionary grant recipients;
- Work closely with grant recipients to provide guidance and support in implementing and resolving audit findings and recommendations. Analyze and review audit reports to identify recurring findings that point to providing additional grantee technical support;
- Overseeing the process of negotiating the indirect cost rates;
- Reviewing and approving amended State Plan submissions;
- Grants close-out management;
- Writing guidance (e.g., policies and internal controls) on grants management and HAVA issues;
- Support and provide ad hoc and cyclical reports on activities associated with grants management and oversight for external stakeholders;
- Keeping the grants sections of the EAC website current;
- Executing technical assistance and training to the grantee field on a variety of grants 101 topics via webinar or another format;
- Managing contracts related to grants program activities; and
- Other duties as assigned.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
Candidates must meet all qualifications prior to the closing date of this announcement.
Candidates must be a US Citizen.
Qualifications
TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES
In-depth knowledge of HAVA, Appropriations Law, OMB circulars, Uniform Guidance and EAC's Grants Management Handbook sufficient to provide expert guidance and advice to others regarding the expenditure of funds, conduct reviews to ensure compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and guidance; and identify resolutions based on review findings.
Knowledge of grants management to serve as expert strategic advisor on issues pertaining to EAC's grants management program.
In-depth knowledge of voting systems and processes as it relates to requirements in HAVA.
Knowledge of information gathering and analysis techniques to gather, analyze, summarize, and report on audit findings.
Ability to effectively defend policies, internal controls, or points of view in the face of heavy criticism in unstructured settings with internal and external stakeholders (e.g., Inspector General; State officials; and local election officials).
NON-TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES
Interpersonal Effectiveness: Skill in responding appropriately to a diversity of groups and individuals in a variety of challenging situations. Demonstrated ability to be tactful and to treat others with respect. Skill in developing networks, achieving cooperation, and collaborating with others when appropriate, including parties outside of EAC.
Critical Thinking: Skill in purposeful, self-regulatory judgment that results in interpretation, analysis, and evaluation of all relevant considerations while remaining flexible, fair-minded in evaluation, prudent in making judgments, diligent in seeking relevant information, and persistent in seeking results.
Written and Oral Communication: Demonstrated ability to clearly, succinctly, and convincingly express facts and ideas both in writing and orally. Skill in listening and appropriately responding to the ideas, points of view, or concerns of others.
Organizational Skill: Demonstrated understanding of priorities, deadlines, administrative systems, and resources needed to gather and synthesize information while balancing workload demands.
External Awareness: Skill in identifying and keeping abreast of legislation, policies and economic, political, and social trends that affect the EAC.
Education
This job does not have an education qualification requirement.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC.
WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.
You will be rated on the competencies reflected in the qualifications section. Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job-related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.
The U.S. Election Assistance Commission performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
Required Documents
Resume: Federal positions must include series, grade, and step. Additionally, current or former federal employees must submit their most recent performance appraisal, and their last Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50). All positions must include starting and ending dates of employment (month and year) and hours worked per week. Duties you performed must be listed under each individual job title to match your experiences with the positions held.
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
Applicants must submit their application package via email to: resumes@eac.gov.
Please include the job title and announcement number in the subject line of the email. You must submit your application package by email to the resumes@eac.gov mailbox. You will not submit your application package through the USAJOBS portal.
Your application package must be received by the closing date of the announcement and must include the following:
1. Resume.
2. For current or former federal employees, you must submit a copy of:
i. your last Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) showing your position, title, series, grade and eligibility.
ii. your most recent performance appraisal. If you do not have a recent performance appraisal, please explain why you do not have one.
3. Cover letter is optional.
Next steps
Once online application packages have been submitted (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. Referred applicants will be notified as such and will be contacted directly by the Office of Human Resources for an interview.
|