Grants Management Specialist

About the role

The Grants Management Specialist supports the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) by handling the full lifecycle of federal grants and agreements. This position works within the Administrative & Financial Management (AFM) division, providing essential pre‑award and post‑award services for ARS, the Economic Research Service, and the National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Key responsibilities

• Negotiate, award, administer, and close‑out federal grants and agreements.
• Review grant applications to ensure compliance with regulations and program requirements.
• Assist grantees in understanding and meeting program guidelines.
• Track and manage grants from pre‑award through post‑award phases.
• Serve as a resource for staff on grant administration policies and procedures.

Required profile

• Specialized experience equivalent to GS‑07 (for GS‑09) or GS‑09 (for GS‑11) in federal grant administration or a related field.
• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in business administration, accounting, finance, law, or a related discipline for GS‑09; Ph.D. or equivalent for GS‑11.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret federal grant regulations and provide guidance to stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and documentation skills for reviewing applications and managing grant records.

Required skills