Grants Management Specialist

National Institutes of Health • Montgomery County, MD

14h

About The Position

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is hiring Grants Management Specialists at the GS-11, GS-12, and GS-13 levels to support the full lifecycle of health research awards. The role involves planning and business management of assigned grants and renewal applications, from application review and award negotiation through post-award monitoring and responsible stewardship of federal funds. Work includes administering grant and agreement portfolios, advising applicants and grantees, and ensuring compliance with applicable administrative and financial requirements.

Responsibilities and complexity vary by grade. At GS-11, the specialist plans and manages assigned grants and renewal applications. At GS-12, the specialist manages pre-award and post-award activities and contributes to policy development and implementation. At GS-13, the specialist coordinates a complex portfolio of grants, agreements, and technical special projects. Employees selected at GS-11 or GS-12 perform similar duties with less complexity, closer supervision, and more detailed guidance.

The position may offer telework, compressed schedules, or flexible schedules at the supervisor’s discretion. It is designated as a non-emergency/teleworker position. If selected to work for NIEHS in Durham, North Carolina, the employee will be covered by a bargaining unit. U.S. citizenship or U.S. national status is required, along with other federal employment conditions described in the announcement.

Requirements

• Meet the U.S. citizenship or U.S. national status requirement by the closing date.
• Successfully complete a background investigation, qualification verification, onboarding forms, required documentation, and other job-related requirements.
• Meet all qualification requirements by the announcement closing date.
• Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.
• Be able to perform the essential duties, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450) if selected; the disclosure is required annually.
• For GS-11, qualify through a related Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or a related LL.M.; or one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-09; or a qualifying combination of post-baccalaureate education and experience.
• GS-11 specialized experience includes assisting with financial or cost analysis of budget justifications, tracking expenditures for compliance with award terms, advising applicants or grantees on administrative issues, and developing grant-related documents.
• For GS-12, have one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-11, including advising applicants and grantees on financial and business management, monitoring grant budgets to prevent lapses in funding, teaching procedures to junior colleagues or management, and evaluating awards for compliance with organizational policies and laws or regulations.
• For GS-13, have one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-12, including establishing grant budgets across an organization, recommending funding approval or changes to award terms, negotiating award terms with external stakeholders, partnering with senior leadership to implement and evaluate grants, and developing lifecycle policies or procedures.

Nice To Haves

• Applicants qualifying for GS-11 based on education are strongly encouraged to submit transcripts or a course list; unofficial transcripts are accepted with the application, while official transcripts are required before an official offer.
• Prior directly related work experience or active-duty uniformed service may be credited toward annual leave accrual if approved before the employee’s start date.
• A salary above the minimum may be considered based on superior qualifications or a special Government need, subject to approval.
• A recruitment incentive may be available to a newly appointed or reappointed individual, subject to organizational need, justification, and budget limitations.

Responsibilities

• Participate in planning and business management of assigned grants and renewal applications.
• Negotiate budgets, award periods, and grant terms and conditions.
• Advise applicants and grantees on financial and management matters.
• Administer an assigned portfolio, establish priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Ensure award recipients comply with applicable administrative and financial policies, procedures, and sound business practices.
• Process grant and agreement applications used to make award decisions.
• Interpret and provide guidance on relevant statutes, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Provide guidance and training to lower-graded grants management staff.
• At GS-11, plan and manage assigned grants and renewal applications.
• At GS-12, manage pre-award and post-award activities and contribute to policy development and implementation.
• At GS-13, coordinate a complex portfolio of grants, agreements, and technical special projects.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for eligible employees and their families.
• Possible repayment of certain outstanding federally insured student loans, based on organizational need, case justification, and budget limitations.
• Possible recruitment incentive for a newly appointed or reappointed individual, based on organizational need, case justification, and budget limitations.
• Possible salary above the minimum based on superior qualifications or a special Government need, subject to approval.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree