TDA - FND - Grant Specialist

Job Description

The Texas Department of Agriculture's (TDA) Food and Nutrition Division administers 12 federal child and special nutrition and more than $2.5 billion in federal money annually used to fund the programs for the State of Texas. These programs aim to reduce hunger, encourage strong nutrition, and support local economies across Texas.

Telework Option: TDA does not offer telework, and all employees are required to be physically present for work. The agency's core business hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. TDA also provides limited customer service between 6:00-8:00 a.m. and 5:00-6:00 p.m.

Location: This position will report to the following TDA location: Austin, TX.

WHAT YOU'LL DO: The F&N Grant Specialist will perform routine grant eligibility and administration work for the Texas Department of Agriculture's Food & Nutrition (F&N) division. Your work involves performing pre-eligibility verification of documents submitted by organizations and individuals expecting to participate in nutrition programs; ensuring that applications and grant contracts are compliant with federal and state policies, procedures, rules, and regulations; and providing routine technical assistance to potential and current TDA Contracting Entities and the community related to program eligibility. You will work under moderate supervision with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Analyze and process program grant applications, renewals, and amendments, ensuring compliance with state and federal program policies, procedures, and regulations.

Ensures grantee's compliance with conditions of grants by monitoring and analyzing new applicant status, agreements, contracts, activities, and federal and state regulations.

Interpret policies, rules, or regulations; provide guidance to staff and the community regarding grant administration, compliance, policies, and procedures; and resolve related issues and concerns.

Perform pre-eligibility verification of documents submitted by organizations and individuals expecting to participate in programs administered by the Food and Nutrition (F&N) Division of the Texas Department of Agriculture. Ensure pre-eligibility documents follow federal and state statutes, policies, and procedures, including that the individual or organization      is in good standing with State and federal statutes.

Serve as a liaison between the agency, the state, and grant funding sources by attending meetings, responding to information requests, and resolving issues between parties involved.

Log, track, process, and store permanent agreements and amendments by obtaining proper signatures, ensuring proper retention and storage of  agreements, and distributing copies to appropriate people and organizations.

Send grant application renewal reminder broadcast emails.

Develop, coordinate, and maintain record keeping and filing system for application materials, including correspondence, forms, and documents, in accordance with TDA's Records Management Policy.

Update program tracking systems and databases by processing and storing incoming documents of potential and existing Contracting Entities (CEs) including faxes, email, and delivered mail, in accordance with policies and procedures, including        timeframes.

Follow all TDA policies and procedures.

Perform other duties as assigned.

To be considered for the position, applicants must submit a State of Texas Application through CAPPS Careers or WIT - experience listed on the application must state how each of the following qualifications are met:

Bachelor's degree (One year of work experience related to the essential duties may substitute for one year of college).

Work experience in preparing and/or reviewing contracts/grants, or work experience in determining applicant eligibility for participation in a program.

Work experience interpreting and providing technical assistance for government program rules and regulations.

Knowledge of laws and regulations pertaining to grants and/or contract administration, business administration principles and practices; and research and budgeting processes.

Skill in grant preparation, development, evaluation, and monitoring; report writing; budget development; in providing excellent customer service to internal and external customers; and the use of a computer and applicable software.

Ability to interpret guidelines, policies, procedures, and regulations; to evaluate fiscal data for reasonableness, necessity, and conformity with grant requirements; and to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; to exercise sound judgment and discretion; and to maintain the highest level of confidentiality.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions: Requires working in a normal office work environment and may have exposure to dust and environmental allergens consistent with normal business activities and human contact. Mostly sedentary in nature but may involve walking; standing; pulling and pushing; kneeling, stooping, and bending; performing tasks requiring fine motor skills and coordination; and safely lifting and carrying items weighing up to 30 pounds. Must be able to work extended periods at a computer and may require working extended hours and some evenings and weekends, as needed. May involve travel, occasionally overnight (up to 5%).

The State of Texas offers a variety of benefits for you and your family that are comprehensive and, on average, make up about one-third of total compensation. Benefits include:

Retirement Plan

Paid Group Health & Life Insurance for employees

Paid Holidays

Paid Vacation Leave

Paid Sick Leave

Longevity Pay

Dental

Vision

Dependent Optional Life Insurance

Voluntary AD&D Insurance

Dependent Health & Life Insurance

Health & Dependent care flexible spending accounts

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO): TDA is an equal employment opportunity (EEO) employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, military status, or protected activity.

TDA participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security, with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

H-1B Visa Sponsorship

We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa.

Background Checks

A criminal conviction records check is required for applicants who are selected for a position.

*A valid government-issued driver's license, which is recognized by the Texas Department of Public Safety and in good standing, and an acceptable driving record are required. TDA will verify this information with the Texas Department of Public Safety. Applicants with a driver's license not issued by the State of Texas should obtain and be prepared to provide a copy of their current driving record on or before their first day.

Foreign Credentials

Upload an evaluation of your coursework if you have obtained a degree(s) from a school outside of the United States; otherwise, we cannot give you credit for your degree. Some organizations that provide evaluation services are:

Foreign Credential Services of America

1910 Justin Lane, Austin, TX 78757-2411
Phone: 512-459-8428

SpanTran: The Evaluation Company

2400 Augusta Drive, Suite 451 Houston, TX 77057
Phone: 713-266-8805

Global Credential Evaluators, Inc.

P.O. Box 9203 College Station, TX 77842
Phone: 512-528-0908

Apply online via CAPPS Careers. Applicants applying through Work In Texas (WIT) will be required to complete additional supplemental questions, optionally provide EEO information including how you heard about the job, and provide an electronic signature in CAPPS Careers to be considered for the position.

Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. A skills exercise may be conducted at the time of the interview.

Due to the high volume of applications, we do not accept telephone calls. If you submitted your application through theCAPPS Careers Section, you may check the status of your application by accessing your profile and selecting "My Job Applications." Note: applicants who apply through Work In Texas, to be considered for the position, you must complete additional supplemental questions, optionally provide EEO information including how you heard about the job, and provide an electronic signature in CAPPS Careers.

Reasonable Accommodations: If you are scheduled for an interview and require any reasonable accommodation in our interview process, please inform the hiring representative who calls you to schedule your interview or an HR representative at 512-463-7423. Whenever possible, please give the hiring or HR representative sufficient time to consider and respond to your request.

Military and Former Foster Child Employment Preference: TDA complies with the provisions of the veterans and former foster child employment preference acts. Please contact our Human Resources-Veterans Liaison at (512) 463-7423 for assistance.

Go to https://texasskillstowork.com/, https://www.onetonline.org/, or http://www.careeronestop.org/ for  for assistance in translating your military experience and training courses into civilian job terms, qualifications/requirements, and skill sets.

Additional Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) Code or Crosswalk information is available from the Texas State Auditor's Office at Property Management and Procurement MOS Codes.