Grants Support Specialist

VPD Government Solutions is a rapidly growing, employee-centric professional services company providing Strategic Communications & Stakeholder Engagement, Acquisition and Grants Management, PMO, IT PMO, and Data Analysis & Governance Support to our Federal Clients. Our employees proudly serve as trusted advisors and innovative problem solvers for our clients. We are seeking a Grants Support Specialist to join our diverse and talented team. 

Position Overview: 

The Grants Support Specialist provides support for grant oversight activities of the Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation (OPRE) in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF). OPRE oversees contracts and grants to study ACF’s social services programs and the low-income and at-risk children and families they serve. Areas of focus include Head Start, child care, child welfare, employment and self-sufficiency, child abuse and neglect, responsible fatherhood and healthy marriage, home visiting, and youth services. OPRE includes over one hundred federal and contracted staff, primarily research and evaluation specialists. OPRE oversees a portfolio of approximately $200 million in grants and contracts. 

Information on ACF is available at https://acf.hhs.gov 

Information on OPRE is available at: https://acf.hhs.gov/opre 

Responsibilities: 

The Grants Support Specialist provides a full range of grants management support activities to support OPRE. Specifically, this position will support OPRE’s discretionary grants and various communication and administrative tasks related to OPRE’s Grant Team. 

Monitor and track grant related activities, including but not limited to grantee applications, NOFO approval process, and reporting requirements using Grants.gov and GrantSolutions 

Input and update grant information within OPRE’s financial management system

Generate and maintain financial reports pertaining to grants activities 

Process and track federal reviews of grant applications 

Collaborate with OPRE divisions and teams (e.g., budget team for financial reports pertaining to grants activities) and other program office partners 

Coordinate and manage records of communications with a large body of ACF grantees 

Organize and track broad range of communication activities 

Prepare written communications to grantees (including email communications) and prepare presentation materials

Respond to and triage inquiries from grantees, program offices, and OPRE grants staff

Perform various administrative tasks in support of OPRE’s grant operations, such as scheduling, meeting logistics, and minutes/action items for grant-related meetings 

Streamline and optimize grant management processes by identifying inefficiencies, implementing best practices, and leveraging technology to enhance accuracy, compliance, and team productivity 

Develop training materials and facilitate webinars/trainings as needed 

Communicate regularly with OPRE leadership and staff and respond to general ad hoc support requests 

Perform other duties as assigned 

Qualifications 

Bachelor’s degree and at least 2 years of highly relevant professional experience in providing administrative and communications support

Strong written and oral communication skills, including clear and effective interpersonal, email, copy-editing, and customer service orientation

Proficiency in bulk email communications and supporting dissemination activities through multi-media platforms (e.g. OPRE email listservs and external social media) 

Strong time management skills handling short/long term projects simultaneously with shifting priorities and tight timeframes

Strong and forward-thinking problem-solving skills– able to analyze issues, extrapolate implications, develop and recommend alternative approaches and solutions, etc.

Experience handling confidential, sensitive data and high-profile projects

Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a remote environment

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, with strong skills in Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams 

Ability to obtain and maintain a public trust clearance 

U.S. Citizenship required

Preferred: 

Knowledge of grants

Experience with Grants.gov and/or GrantSolutions

Proficiency in Smartsheet 

Experience, skills, or knowledge relevant to policy and research in child care, child welfare, head start, early head start, early childhood care and education, and/or TANF, family self-sufficiency, employment training programs

Desired: 

Why work for VPD? 

● VPD is proud to be a certified Great Place to Work in 2022-2023! See more about what our employees think! Working at VPD Government Solutions | Great Place to Work®● Robust employee benefits package beginning on 1st of the month following hire date including health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance ● 401(k) with 5% employer matching- immediate vesting! 

● Flexible time off program including 3 weeks of paid time off and 11 paid holidays ● Professional development opportunities 

● Employee-centric work culture including company sponsored events, happy hours, and team-building opportunities, frequent communications/information sharing from Leadership, supportive and positive teamwork environment, “open door” policy, etc.

Work Location: Remote – OPRE

VPD is Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 

● VPD Uses E-Verify - Right to Work Poster 

● VPD Uses E-Verify - Participation Notice 

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws: 

● EEOC Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal

● EEO is the Law - Federal Contractors/Subcontractors 

● Employee Polygraph Protection Act 

● Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision

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