Contract / Grant Specialist - Augusta

State of Maine•Augusta, ME

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

This is professional services work in negotiating, processing, administering, and monitoring contracts, grants, and other purchase of service agreements. Work includes conducting on-site visits with providers, providing information and assistance, evaluating provider performance, and coordinating and conferring with outside resources in the delivery of services. Work is performed under general supervision.

Requirements

Knowledge of budget methods, techniques, and practices.
Knowledge of contract administration practices and procedures.
Knowledge of grants and accessibility of federal and state funds.
Knowledge of the legislative process.
Knowledge of data processing and information services.
Knowledge of negotiation methods and techniques.
Knowledge of department or agency programs and services.
Knowledge of performance-based contracting.
Ability to develop, design, and implement departmental plans, budgets, goals, objectives, and controls.
Ability to develop and analyze complex financial information.
Ability to manage diverse administrative functions.
Ability to assess problems, reach logical conclusions, and develop appropriate solutions.
Ability to communicate effectively.
Ability to write clearly and effectively.
Ability to establish and effective working relationships.
Ability to analyze market and supply chain data to assess present and future availability.
Ability to perform required tasks with minimal supervisory oversight.
Ability to learn, interpret and apply Division of Procurement Services policies and procedures.
Ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of customers, internal stakeholders, vendors, suppliers and any other parties involved in the procurement process.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Education, training, and/or experience demonstrating competence in contract or grant administration.

Nice To Haves

Comprehensive knowledge of CGI/Advantage; specifically accounting and vendor functions
Drafting scope of service documents and an understanding of their characteristics
Strong written and editorial skills
Workload balancing and prioritization.
Ability to follow, understand and convey solicitation processes.
Contracting and Master Agreements
Meeting and training agency staff
Purchase card use, statement management and rules.

Responsibilities

Confers with outside providers, department employees, community resources, and other concerned officials in order to explain and clarify contract, grant, and request for proposal (RFP) processes.
Reviews and analyzes contracts, grants, and RFP's and discusses feasibility, cost, and impact in order to provide input and make recommendations.
Conducts on-site visits with public and private agency administrators and providers; discusses ideas, plans, priority target populations, proposals, budgets, and performance-based contracting in order to gather performance data and/or exchange information.
Receives, collects, and analyzes performance data; establishes and monitors contractual or related benchmarking, and prepares reports in order to monitor and evaluate provider performance and provide information.
Reviews and analyzes program policies, procedures, and practices; and develops and proposes program changes in order to improve program effectiveness and efficiency.
Contacts and confers with community resources and public/private agencies in order to encourage, develop, and negotiate mutual understanding, cooperation, and participation in the delivery of services.
Reviews and collects program reports and related material; develops and prepares training materials; and delivers presentations in order to provide training to external resources and agency employees.

Benefits

13 paid holidays
12 days of sick leave
3+ weeks of vacation leave annually
Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums
Health Insurance Premium Credit
Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums
Retirement Plan – The State of Maine contributes 14.11 % of pay to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS)
Gym Membership Reimbursement
Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness
Living Resources Program – employee assistance program
Parental leave (forty-two (42) consecutive calendar days of fully paid parental leave)
Voluntary Deferred Compensation – MaineSaves 457(b) account