Agency Grants Specialist I

Introduction

\r\nThe Maryland State Department of Education is dedicated to supporting a world-class educational system that prepares all students for college and�career success in the 21st century. With excellent stewardship from our�divisions, we oversee State and federal programs that support the needs of�a diverse population – students, teachers, principals, and other educators�throughout Maryland.\r\n

GRADE

State of Maryland Salary Grade 14\r\nSalary Rrange $59,305 - $84,713 with progression to $93,533\r\n\r\n*State Salary Guidelines may apply for\r\ncurrent State employees.**\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSTATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS\r\n

LOCATION OF POSITION

Nancy S. Grasmick Education Building\r\n200 W. Baltimore Street��\r\nBaltimore, MD 21201\r\n

Main Purpose of Job

This position is responsible for managing a collaborative invoice verification process and ensuring comprehensive financial oversight for all grants and contracts within the Office of Early Childhood. This role acts as a primary liaison between program managers, specialists, division directors, and the accounting department to ensure fiscal integrity, regulatory compliance, and the timely disbursement of funds. The position provides ongoing technical assistance, manages high-volume financial correspondence, and facilitates logistical support for grant-related procedures impacting the division.

POSITION DUTIES

Grant Lifecycle & Administration\r\n\r\n\r\n �Manage the\r\n full lifecycle of Notice\r\n of Grant Awards (NOGA),\r\n including routing, tracking, and ensuring\r\n timely submission through\r\n internal department workflow.\r\n \r\n Verify all NOGA information against grant applications, ensuring correct\r\n PCA and Fund codes are\r\n utilized in accordance with state\r\n budget guidelines.\r\n \r\n Coordinate annual\r\n grant cycles and facilitate the application\r\n process to ensure consistency and compliance.\r\n \r\n Research and respond to inquiries from MSDE staff,\r\n the public, and stakeholders\r\n regarding grant status, documentation requirements, and submission timelines.\r\n \r\n Maintain accurate,\r\n up-to-date records on all grant awards\r\n and expenditures to ensure full audit readiness and adherence\r\n to agency policy.�\r\n\r\nInvoice Verification &\r\nFinancial Tracking�\r\n\r\n\r\n �Execute invoice verification process, working in close conjunction with program managers, specialists, and division directors/executive directors to ensure thorough financial oversight and regulatory compliance.�\r\n �Perform multi-faceted validation of incoming financial\r\n documentation (invoices,\r\n payroll reports, W9s, receipts) for mathematical\r\n accuracy, completeness, and adherence to allowable costs.�\r\n �Apply strict compliance checks-including the 15% (or\r\n $1,000) threshold for budget category variances-to identify when budget\r\n amendments are required.��\r\n �Validate that food and travel\r\n reimbursements align with specific agency standards and prohibit unallowable\r\n expenses.�\r\n\r\n\r\nPayment Processing, Oversight & Reporting�\r\n\r\n\r\n �Directly manage the transmission of verified invoices to the accounting department for payment processing, following up regularly to ensure timely\r\n disbursement.�\r\n �Provide proactive status updates to program staff and grantees regarding payment progress\r\n to ensure transparency and operational efficiency.�\r\n �Utilize Mainframe and FMIS screens to process payments, monitor grant balances, and track payment history.�\r\n �Analyze financial data, including General Ledger reconciliation, to confirm adherence to allowed indirect\r\n cost (IDC) amounts\r\n and to ensure program budgets\r\n are not overspent.��\r\n �Prepare accurate statistical data and reports tracking funding and spending, ensuring reliable data for budget projections and agency decision-making.\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience:�Five years of experience in grant evaluation and monitoring or budget preparation, presentation and execution.\r\nNotes:\r\n1.�Candidates may substitute the possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and one year of experience in grant evaluation and monitoring or budget preparation, presentation and execution for the required experience.\r\n2. Candidates may substitute graduate education from an accredited college or university in accounting, business administration, economics, finance, political science or public administration at a rate of 30 credit hours for�the required experience.\r\n3. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in the Budget Officer�classifications or Financial Management specialty codes in the Budgeting field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.\r\n

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preference will be given to applicants who possess the following preferred qualification(s). Include clear and specific information on your application regarding your qualifications.\r\n\r\n\r\n 1-year Proficient Excel Experience\r\n Experience with Grant Processing with either State, Federal, and or LocalExperience�\r\n R*Stars, ADPCS\r\n\r\n\r\n

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Applicants are subject to a criminal background investigation in accordance with the federal Family Law Article, Section 5.��Employees in this classification are subject to substance abuse testing in accordance with Code of Maryland Regulations 06.01.09, Testing for Illegal Use of Drugs. Person appointed to position in this classification will be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle including a car, five-passenger van, and a 12-passenger van. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland, and their driving records will be subject to investigation.\r\n

SELECTION PROCESS

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year. The selected candidate will be subject to a criminal history background check as the final step in the selection process.\r\n\r\n\r\nPlease do not put 'See Resume' in the job duties section of your application and or supplemental questionnaire.��Your application will be considered incomplete. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Only solicited materials will be accepted for this recruitment.\r\n

BENEFITS

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS\r\n

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

It is preferred that applicants complete the MD State Government online application for employment. The application must clearly demonstrate that you meet the qualifications for the position.�If you are unable to apply online, paper applications can be obtained from the link below and mailed to MSDE Human Resources Branch, 200 W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. If there is a supplemental questionnaire, this must be completed and sent in with your paper application, if you are unable to apply online.\r\nAll application materials must be received in our office by the closing date. Postmarks will not be accepted. Applications must be complete to be considered including all related job duties, even if those are also listed on an attached resume. Additional required materials may be uploaded with the online application or mailed to the Human Resources Branch address listed above.\r\nInquiries can be made to 410-767-0012, TDD 410-333-3045. Appropriate accommodations can be made for individuals with disabilities.\r\nIf you have difficulty with your user account or have general questions about this online application system, please contact the MD Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division at 410-767-4850. TTY Users: Call via Maryland Relay.\r\nProof of eligibility to work is required in compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act. Any misrepresentation of academic or experience requirements for this position may result in non-selection or termination of employment.\r\nAs an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity. People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.\r\nWe thank our Veterans for their service to our country.\r\n