Summary This vacancy is for a Grants Management Specialist in the Economic Development Administration within the Department of Commerce. Responsibilities The U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA) plays a critical role in facilitating regional economic development efforts in communities across the nation. As a Grants Management Specialist, you will: Review and analyze applications and grant agreements for technical adequacy and compliance with applicable laws, regulations and policy in advance of signature approval. Assess proposed projects for compliance with EDA regulations, guidance, policies, and procedures, advise higher-level staff of concerns and issues; assess and offer alternative solutions, and make recommendations for corrective action. Review and interpret information collected from grantees and other sources concerning work progress and financial progress pertinent to grant awards to advise management and staff and prepare documentation for management decision and approval. Monitor grants including applying knowledge of organizational needs and deadlines, and consistent follow-up to ensure grantees are in compliance with established administrative and financial policies, procedures, and sound business practices. Provide advice and assistance in response to inquiries regarding grant issues such as questions on the components, funding, and authorities of various grants. This Job Opportunity Announcement may be used to fill other Grants Management Specialist GS-1109-9/11/12 FPL: 12 positions within the Department of Commerce in the same geographical location with the same qualifications and specialized experience. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position. You must successfully pass a background investigation. This may include a credit check, a review of financial issues, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use of possession of drugs. A trial/probationary period may be required. Selective Service: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/). If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application. All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing. License required: No Pre-employment physical required: No Bargaining Unit Position: Yes Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE form 450): No Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) Expense: Will not be paid Qualifications Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards. This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/ SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience need not have been in the federal government. To qualify at the GS-9 level: You must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as experience: Performing various administrative duties to support a grants management program; Gathering and analyzing data to determine management capabilities; Responding to routine inquiries from grantees and external stakeholders. -OR- EDUCATION: Master's or equivalent graduate degree OR 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.B or J.D., if related. -OR- COMBINATION: Equivalent combination of education and experience. To qualify at the GS-11 level: You must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as experience: Providing technical advice and assistance to grantees; Ensuring grants are closed out in accordance with grants management regulations; Providing advisory services to program staff and grantees. -OR- EDUCATION: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.M., if related. -OR- COMBINATION: Equivalent combination of education and experience. To qualify at the GS-12 level: You must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as experience: Administering and/or executing discretionary grants as related to economic development programs; Evaluating grantee requests utilizing expertise of cost factors and cost principles; Negotiating and/or providing advisory services to program staff and grantees. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations e.g., professional; philanthropic, religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies; knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Education There is no positive education requirement for this position. Additional Information Salary: General Schedule locality pay tables may be found here: General Schedule (opm.gov) The following links provide information on various hiring authorities that do not fall under competitive examining procedures; however, they may enable you to apply through merit assignment procedures, or be eligible for a non-competitive appointment. Veterans Recruitment Act (VRA) Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) 30% or more disabled veterans Persons with disabilities Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) ICTAP and CTAP Eligibles: CTAP and ICTAP candidates will be eligible if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position by attaining at least a rating of 85 out of 100. Information about ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management's Career Transition Resources website at: Employee Guide to Career Transition CTAP applicants MUST submit the following documents: A copy of your specific RIF notice; notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate; a Certificate of Expected Separation (CES); or certification that you are in a surplus organization or occupation (this could be a position abolishment letter, a notice eligibility for discontinued service retirement, or similar notice). A copy of your SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action", noting current position, grade level, and duty location; A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential. ICTAP applicants MUST submit the following documents: A copy of your RIF separation notice; notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate; notice of disability annuity termination; certification from your former agency that it cannot place you after your recovery from a compensable injury; or certification from the National Guard Bureau or Military Department that you are eligible for disability retirement; A copy of your SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action" documenting your RIF separation, noting your positions, grade level, and duty location, and/or Agency certification of inability to place you through RPL, etc; A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential. Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.