Grants Management Specialist

Pacific Northwest Region | Grants and Agreements

Career Opportunity
Assessing interest for multiple positions to be advertised

Grants Management Specialist
GS-1109-7/9/11 pay schedule

Remote work

Do you want a job that makes a difference?
Do you care about the landscapes of the Pacific Northwest and the communities who rely on them but aren’t sure how you can put that care to action? Are you concerned about climate change, but are not sure how your organizational and writing skills can help advance solutions?
Would you like to see your salary increase by up to $22k over your first three years working for an organization? Would your life benefit from the flexibility of remote work and flexible scheduling while being part of a team who is invested in your success through paid training, mentorship, and professional development? If so, consider applying to become a Grants
Management Specialist with the Pacific Northwest Region of the U.S. Forest Service!

Do you want a job where your employer invests in your professional development?
As a Grants Management Specialist (GMS) you will be given training and mentorship to learn the many legal, budgetary, and other considerations that go into the U.S. Forest Service issuing a grant or entering into a partnership agreement with another organization. The role of a GMS is focused on business operations which plays a critical role helping the Forest Service contribute financially to and work on projects alongside non-profits, states, tribes, counties, and others for a variety of purposes that benefit the land and communities we serve.

It is not a job that you begin as an expert but one that you grow into and will be ever learning.
This is why these positions are “career ladder” starting at GS-7, moving to a GS-9 after the first year of successful performance, then to the full performance level of GS-11 at the third year with opportunities for advancement thereafter. This profession also comes with a certification process each GMS works through to build competency over time and within specific areas.

How does the Grants and Agreements staff contribute to the Forest Service?
Last year, the Pacific Northwest Region Grants and Agreements team helped ensure over 1,500 projects valued at nearly $180M could take place through partnerships across Oregon,
Washington, and with some programs in Alaska. From prescribed fire to youth conservation

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

corps to trail restoration or habitat improvements, GMS get to play a key role in supporting some of the most important work that happens across our landscapes.

GMS work with the agency staff responsible for resource conservation (program managers) and partner organizations who implement projects in the field by playing critical roles such as advisor, thought partner, instrument processor and ensure the legal compliance of each instrument while keeping an eye toward creativity in how we approach our work as an agency.

What does a typical day in the life of a GMS look like?
While one of the truths about being a GMS is that there are probably no two days which are exactly the same, there are a number of activities that typically occupy the most of a GMS’s time. These may include reviewing and signing grants and partnership agreements so funds can be conveyed to partners and conservation work can be initiated; providing technical advice to a wildlife biologist (or other specialists) partnering with local non-profit; getting some fresh air on your paid wellness time; closing expired agreements so unspent funds can be returned to the U.S.
Treasury; refamiliarizing yourself with policy or budget requirements to ensure you are providing current and accurate advice; and talking with your colleagues in G&A about new ways of approaching complex projects or newly established grant and agreement programs.

How is the Grants and Agreement directorate organized and what is the culture of the team?
Here in the Pacific Northwest Region of the U.S. Forest Service, we are a 40-person organization with three branches. Our operational branch is where all our GMS are assigned. We also have Policy and Reporting branch as well as Training Assistance for Program and Partners
(TAPP) branch. Our team works with staff from our Regional Office, 17 national forests, one grassland, and national scenic area as well as some programs in Alaska. To help foster a sense of community and advance diversity, equity, and inclusion within our organization, we also have a
Work Environment Team open to participation by all employees.

Benefits

- Retirement benefits with up to 5% matching employer contribution.
- Flexible schedule options.
- Paid annual and sick leave in addition to 11 paid federal holidays.
- Paid parental leave.
- Wellness Program (up to three hours per week of paid time for wellness).
- Employer contributions to health, dental, and vision insurance.
- Flexible Spending Account.
- Access to life, long term, and short term care insurance.
- Employee Assistance Program.
- Opportunities for advancment, pay increases, and cost of living adjustments for some areas. (Visit OPM.gov through this link for more information on pay.)
- And more!

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Are you qualified to apply for one of these awesome positions?
Are you a relationship-based person who is willing to base their schedule on Pacific Time and has skill in (or strong desire to learn) researching law or policy, problem solving, learning complex information and translating it in a clear way? Do you have strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and enjoy putting together real-world puzzles? Are you interested in public service and advancing conservation objectives? Are you the type of person that enjoys working independently and collaboratively with others on a team? If your answers are yes, then this may be a good career for you!

These are the primary skills and experiences that will be assessed to determine if applicants are qualified for GS-1109-7 Grants Management Specialist positions:

- Reviewing financial documents, reports, and other official documents on behalf of an organization.

- Analyzing information, especially related to finance/budget, laws/regulations, or organization policies.

- Tracking information, statistics, deadlines/schedules, or money.
- Strong time management and organization skills.
- Preparing documents and correspondence for an organization.
- Establishing strong working relationships and possessing the ability to problem solve.
- Working with grants, partnerships, contracts, or working with other organizations.

Federal resumes tend to require more detail than resumes for non-federal positions. Tips on how to write a federal resume can be found on USAJobs.gov through this link. Be sure to include all relevant experience, whether paid or volunteer.

If you are interested in learning more or being contacted when these positions are officially advertised, please send a completed copy of the Outreach Interest form provided below to
Supervisory Grants Management Specialist Brenna White (brenna.white@usda.gov) by
July 31st, 2023. Resumes are welcome but not required to be added to our notification list.

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Outreach Interest
Pacific Northwest Region – Grants Management Specialist

GS-1109-7/9/11

If you are interested in this position, complete this form and send to Brenna White at
(*brenna.white@usda.gov ) by July 31st,2023. Resumes are welcome but are not required to be added to our notification list. *

General Information

Name:

City: State:

E-Mail Address: Phone:

Work location preference: Virtual
Other

(Must be within the United States and willing to work based on Pacific Time)

Based on the description, do you believe you are presently qualified for one of these positions?
Yes, I believe I may be qualified
No, but I would like to learn how to qualify in the future

Indicate if you are eligible for appointment under any of the following special authorities:

Former Peace Corps (see criteria here)
Person with Disabilities (Schedule A – see criteria here)
Resource Assistant Program
Veteran’s Readjustment Act (VRA – see criteria here)
Reinstatement Eligibility
Other (please specify)

Federal Employment Status

Are you or have you been a permenant federal employee? Yes No

If yes, list agency, title, series, grade:

Thank-you for your interest!

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Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $46,696.00 - $89,835.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• No weekends

Application Question(s):

• Are you a U.S. citizen or national living in the United States?
• Are you willing to work Pacific Time and occasionally travel for trainings or meetings (2-4 times per year, employer-paid)?
• Do you qualify for any special federal hiring authorities? Visit https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/ to determine if unsure.

Work Location: Remote