Office of Cooperative Threat Reduction
U.S. Department of State
Personal Services Contract Position
WMD Threat Reduction Grants Specialist
Please submit applications by midnight on October 23, 2024.
General Background: This is a Personal Services Contract (PSC) position serving as a Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Grants Specialist, assisting with the financial management of nearly $100 million annually in nonproliferation foreign assistance funds, for the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation’s Office of Cooperative Threat Reduction (ISN/CTR) at the U.S. Department of State. Through implementation of foreign assistance projects, ISN/CTR seeks to prevent proliferator states and terrorist groups from developing or acquiring Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) materials, equipment, expertise, and delivery systems that could threaten the U.S. homeland and U.S. interests abroad. The position will be based in Washington, DC, and is telework eligible.
The incumbent will assist ISN/CTR with a range of financial and program management responsibilities including but not limited to award execution, financial and program monitoring, and evaluation, budgetary taskings, and threat reduction project implementation. ISN/CTR programs are implemented by a variety of experts including interagency partners, such as the U.S. National Laboratories, non-government organizations, universities, private sector companies, and international organizations. ISN/CTR uses a wide range of tools to support these efforts, including cooperative agreements, grants, and interagency agreements.
Responsibilities:
- Recommend and develop office-wide strategies for successful and streamlined processes related to grant execution, management, oversight, and close out.
- Work on a fast-paced team to address time-sensitive requests and to help maintain an aggressive execution timeline.
- Set milestones for the grants solicitation and obligation process and communicate deadlines and requirements.
- Review and maintain required grants documentation for the award (flag waiver, lobbying forms, forms for for-profit organizations, risk assessments, etc.).
- Track and report progress on grants package review at end of fiscal year.
- Review award documentation for adherence to grants policy and resolve any deviations with implementing organization to enable smooth obligation.
- Work closely with grants officers to develop award packages and quality control review award packages to ensure completeness.
- Review and post CTR’s Notice Of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs).
- Address budget related questions from non-USG entities that are seeking to apply for these funding opportunities.
- Work with colleagues who lead the notification of funding to adjust timelines for obligations, depending upon challenges to notifications, and with colleagues who lead the execution of grants to troubleshoot technical issues with payments, or other award level issues.
- Train and maintain a certification as a Grants Officer Representative.
- As a Grants Officer Representative, work with selected implementers to provide day to day information sharing on grants questions and supporting the Grants Officer for grants awards.
- Conducting quarterly site visits of implementing partners along with other GOR monitoring duties.
- Reviewing quarterly reports and maintaining close communication with the implementing partner and program teams to address any implementation issues.
- Other activities as assigned by the ISN/CTR Office Director, Deputy Director, and Budget Team Chief and Deputy Team Chief.
Qualifications:
- Knowledge and demonstrated experience with federal grants are a requirement.
- Knowledge of grants and cooperative agreement policy as well as the code of federal regulation that underlies federal grants.
- Knowledge and demonstrated experience with preparing federal grants awards is a plus.
- Ability to set up and keep updated tracking systems to address and manage complicated processes.
- Experience analyzing procurement processes and progress to suggest improvements and corrective actions.
- Ability to work in an extremely fast-paced environment and experience triaging competing priorities.
- Attention to detail on all matters is a requirement (communication, accounting, documentation, other).
- Demonstrated skills in database management, data entry, analysis, and reporting.
- Ability to communicate clearly and efficiently and work cooperatively with stakeholders at multiple levels inside and outside ISN/CTR.
- Active U.S. Government Secret-level security clearance preferred.
Benefits
Annual & Sick Leave
The individual selected will earn annual and sick leave in accordance with OPM regulations, the employee will be paid for federal holidays that fall within their regularly scheduled tour of duty. Those entering on duty with prior military service and/or federal civilian service can credit their years of service for higher annual leave accrual rates.
Health & Life Insurance Reimbursement
Personal Services Contractor may be provided a maximum of up to seventy-two percent (72%) against actual costs of their annual health and life insurance premiums. Eligibility for reimbursement requires evidence of enrollment in a qualifying health insurance plan and proof of actual payment of the associated health premiums.
Relocation Assistance Available: None
How to Apply:
Please apply through Monster.com and submit the following as a single attachment:
- Cover Letter
- Resume
- A list of at least three professional references
Failure to submit a complete package may disqualify the applicant from consideration.
You will be evaluated against the requirements outlined in this announcement, so your resume and cover letter should demonstrate that you meet the required qualifications above to undertake this position. Your references will only be contacted after your permission following an interview. You may also be asked to provide a writing sample.
ISN/CTR intends to review and interview candidates within 45 days of close of announcement. ONLY APPLICANTS SELECTED FOR INTERVIEWS WILL BE CONTACTED. Offers of employment will be dependent on ability to obtain security clearance through the Department of State’s Diplomatic Security bureau.
There may be unanticipated vacancies that occur during the period of this job posting or soon after its close. Candidates that apply to this announcement will also be provided the same consideration for these vacancies.
Note: This is a Personal Services Contract. This is NOT a federal direct-hire position.
Vacancy announcement will close at midnight on October 23, 2024Salary: Work requirements are commensurate with the GS-13 to GS-14 salary range. Compensation will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.