Grants Management Specialist

Summary

This position is part of the Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office, Department of Energy within the Acquisition Division. As a Grants Management Specialist, you will serve as a recognized financial assistance authority, leading high-impact negotiations and shaping strategic grant programs across the Department of Energy.

Duties

The Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office office works to unleash the full potential of America's hydrocarbon and geothermal resources to provide affordable, reliable, and secure energy. We are truly honored that DOE has been named America's #1 Best Employer for Veterans in 2023 by Forbes-not only among Government agencies, but among employers across the U.S. We are so proud of this ranking which reflects our commitment to the employment of veterans. As so many veterans at DOE renew their service to our Nation, we are deeply committed to their success and advancement. Veterans shape the future of energy At the full performance level, GS-14, Grants Management Specialist, you will: Serve as a senior technical advisor to DOE program offices, coordinating project requirements, formulating financial assistance strategies, and ensuring solicitations clearly articulate government needs and comply with federal regulations. Lead multi-disciplinary negotiation teams in establishing terms, conditions, schedules, and cost structures for high-value, complex assistance awards, ranging from $2 million to over $2 billion, while serving as a authorized agent of the Government. Manage post-award actions for grants and cooperative agreements, including issuing amendments, negotiating modifications, monitoring recipient performance, overseeing subcontractor surveillance, and conducting formal award closeouts. Conduct in-depth financial and administrative analyses to ensure costs are allowable, reasonable, and allocable, while investigating and resolving compliance issues, performance deficiencies, and audit findings. Review, interpret, and draft high-level financial assistance policies and standard operating procedures, while evaluating program metrics and performance trends to improve overall contracting and grant operations. Represent the agency as a technical authority on committees, conferences, and working groups, providing guidance to leadership, external recipients, congressional offices, and oversight entities such as the GAO. Qualifications

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS FOR GS-13: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level. Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting 2 of 4 of the following: Manage award, and administer grants, cooperative agreements, or financial assistance instruments throughout the full award lifecycle (from pre-award planning through post-award management and final closeout). Conduct administrative and financial analyses-such as cost/price evaluations, budget reviews, or audit resolutions-to verify that proposed and incurred recipient costs are allowable, allocable, and reasonable. Interpret and apply federal statutes, regulations, policies, or standard operating procedures (such as Uniform Guidance/2 CFR 200, OMB circulars, or organization-wide financial directives) to ensure award compliance and resolve financial assistance issues. Negotiate award terms, business conditions, budgets, cost-sharing arrangements, or project schedules, and managing post-award administrative actions such as issuing award modifications, monitoring performance progress, or addressing non-compliance. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS FOR GS-14: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level. Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting 2 of 4 of the following: Serve as a senior advisor or technical authority to program leadership, advising on high-level financial assistance strategies, structuring solicitations, and aligning procurement requirements with organizational goals and budget constraints. Lead multi-disciplinary teams in negotiating, high-value financial assistance awards (such as grants, cooperative agreements, or similar funding instruments), including establishing award terms, business conditions, cost-sharing structures, and project milestones. Conduct in-depth administrative and financial evaluations-including cost/price analyses, indirect rate reviews, and audit resolutions-to assess recipient financial stability and determine cost allowability, allocability, and reasonableness. Manage post-award administration for financial assistance portfolios, evaluating recipient technical and financial progress, issuing modifications, and executing administrative or corrective remedies (such as disallowing costs, withholding support, or terminating awards) for non-compliance. "Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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. Limit your resume to no more than two (2) pages. If more than two pages are submitted, only the first two pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility and qualifications. Your full resume will be made available to the hiring manager if you are referred. CTAP/ICTAP candidates: To be considered "well qualified" you must (1) meet all of the requirements as described in this section; and 2) be rated "well-qualified", which is defined as scoring in the in Well Qualified category (or higher). You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

There are no specific education requirements or substitution of education for experience for this position. How You Will Be Evaluated

Your application will be assessed based on your responses to an online assessment that measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. The assessment includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. Your score will place you into one of three pre-defined quality categories under Category Rating procedures. These categories are "Best Qualified", "Well Qualified", and "Qualified". You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment. Your application and resume should demonstrate that you possess the following competencies. Do not provide a separate narrative written statement. Rather, you must describe in your resume how your past work experience demonstrates that you possess the competencies identified below. Use specific examples of employment or experience contained in your resume and describe how this experience has prepared you to successfully perform the duties of this position. Attention to Detail Contracting/Procurement Customer Service Decision Making Financial Analysis Financial Assistance Mechanisms Flexibility Grants Management Grants Management Laws, Regulations, and Guidelines Influencing/Negotiating Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reading Comprehension Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork Application of Veterans' Preference: If you are a preference eligible candidate, you will be listed at the top of whichever quality category your rating places you in. CP/CPS veterans are placed at the top of the highest category for all positions except professional and scientific positions at GS-9 and higher. Non-Competitive Hiring Authority for Military Spouses: If you are a military spouse eligible under this authority, and you meet the minimum qualification requirements for the position, you will be referred to the selecting official for consideration on a separate list specific to only military spouses. Career Transition Assistance Programs: To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet the eligibility criteria; and 2) be rated "well-qualified", which is defined as scoring in the in Well Qualified category (or higher). You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date (09/23/2026) of this announcement. To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, clickhttps://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13060654. Other Information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across DOE. For general information on government-wide Telework polices visit: www.telework.gov Hiring incentives may be authorized in accordance with agency policy and if funding is available. Equal employment opportunity policy. Employees or applicants may request Reasonable Accommodation (RA) for assistance, when applying or competing for a job or performing a job due to their medical condition or to exercise their religious beliefs. If you need reasonable accommodation in the application or selection process, please contact the Staffing Specialist listed on this vacancy announcement. Reasonable Accommodation Policy: https://www.energy.gov/hc/articles/reasonable-accommodation-and-personal-assistance-service-procedures Veterans Information: https://www.energy.gov/careers/veterans-military-spouses Selective Service Registration: http://www.sss.gov/ The Fair Chance Act prohibits specific inquiries concerning an applicant's criminal or credit background unless the hiring agency has made a conditional offer of employment to the applicant. An applicant may submit a complaint to the agency within 30 calendar days of the date of alleged noncompliance by completing the Fair Chance Act Intake Form and emailing the form to the Administrative Investigations Program at [email protected]. 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.