Department of Public Safety 

Job Class Code: 0341
Grade: 25/Supervisory
Salary: $57,408.00-$81,078.40/Annually 
Location: Augusta

Opening Date: April 14, 2025

Closing Date:  April 29, 2025

The Maine Department of Public Safety seeks a self-motivated, task-oriented individual with strong leadership skills to join the Commissioner's Office as a Senior Contract Grant Specialist.

This is professional services work managing staff and the grant process for several grants awarded to and administered by the Department of Public Safety. The work includes managing the entire grant process including identifying grant opportunities, submitting applications, and filing final financial and program reports upon closeout. Tasks include soliciting and awarding sub-grants and monitoring both program and financial progress of sub-grantees; planning and running statewide stakeholder meetings; planning and delivering instruction related to grants; writing reports; and managing a staff of two contract grant specialists.

The successful candidate will need to have strong management skills, financial experience, excellent organizational skills, in-depth knowledge of processes and procedures, the ability to meet deadlines, an understanding of grant rules and regulations, as well as excellent communication skills. This position is responsible for preparing grant applications, developing the budget component of the grant applications, monitoring the grant spend, and assisting sub-recipients as needed to enable them to complete their proposals for sub-awards. Tasks include reviewing interim and final financial status reports from sub-recipients and filing financial reports deliverable to the federal grantor agencies. Some of this work is accomplished with a computerized grants management information system, requiring the ability to understand and use a database program.

Knowledge of the Request for Proposal (RFP) process is necessary to perform the duties of the position.

The successful candidate will have a proven track record of managing staff and of developing and implementing processes to meet required deadlines. The ability to prioritize work, track progress, and develop staff is critical. The ability to understand guidelines and requirements and implement a process to meet these requirements in the required timeframe is essential. Some out-of-state travel is required. Work is performed under limited supervision.

Primary responsibilities include:  

• Manage and develop two Contract Grant Specialists.
• Responsible for the grant process, including searching for, receiving, and acting on notices of federal grant opportunities, submitting initial and renewal applications, soliciting and awarding subgrants, monitoring program, and financial progress, and reporting both to the federal government. Must ensure that required reporting timelines are met.
• Receive, collect, analyze, and enter performance data; establish and monitor contractual or related benchmarking, and prepare reports to monitor and evaluate provider performance and provide information.
• Organize meetings and confer with outside providers, department employees, community resources, and other concerned officials to explain and clarify the RFP, grant, and contract processes.
• Research, analyze, and propose program enhancements and program strategies.
• Review and collect program reports and related materials; develop and prepare training materials; and deliver presentations to provide training to external resources and agency employees.
• Conducts on-site visits with public and private agency administrators and providers for assigned grants.

Skills or knowledge required:

• Knowledge of applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
• Knowledge of budget methods, techniques, and practices.
• Knowledge of contract administration practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of data processing and information services.
• Knowledge of performance based contracting strategies and theories.
• Knowledge of training methods and techniques.
• Knowledge of group dynamics, teaming, and consensus building theories and principles.
• Knowledge of audit processes and procedures.
• Ability to supervise personnel.
• Ability to manage a program involving contracting a wide variety of services.
• Ability to ensure required reporting timelines are met.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to establish budgets.
• Ability to write clearly and effectively.
• Ability to conduct special studies, prepare correspondence and reports.
• Ability to conduct training courses and workshops.
• Ability to gather, assemble, calculate, and analyze facts and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to conduct programmatic and financial analysis using tools such as spreadsheets and databases.

Minimum qualifications:

An eight (8) year combination of education and/or professional experience in contract or grant administration.

Preference will be given to those applicants:

With knowledge of grant programs, financial reporting, and audit processes. Excellent candidates would have a proven record of meeting reporting timelines, experience monitoring and developing working relationships with outside entities, supervisory experience, and strong verbal and written communication skills.

Contact information:

Questions about this position should be directed to Lisa Bosse at Lisa.Bosse@maine.gov

Application Instructions:

Interested applicants need to apply online by selecting the "Apply for this opening" button along with uploading a cover letter, current resume, and copies of any transcripts or certifications you wish to have considered while evaluating your application.  In order for us to properly determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for any posting, you must be sure your resume includes month and year for any experience listed along with the duties and responsibilities associated with each particular time period.  Any experience that was not full-time employment should be identified as such. 

If you require a paper application, please download and print one here https://www.maine.gov/bhr/state-jobs/application-process or contact our office at 207-623-6700.  Paper applications for this posting should be submitted along with cover letter and resume before the closing date to Security & Employment Service Center, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta, ME  04330 or faxed to 207-287-2018.  Be sure title of the job you are applying for is included.  Applications cannot be accepted after the posting closing date.  

Benefits of working for the State of Maine:

No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:

• Work-Life Fit – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
• Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-95% of employee-only premiums ($11,196.96 - $12,514.32 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State. 
• Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($387.92 annual value). 
• Retirement Plan – The State contributes the equivalent of 13.29% of the employee's pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS) for MSEA, or 18.09% for Confidential employees. 

State employees are eligible for an extensive and highly competitive benefits package, covering many aspects of wellness. Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness.

Note: Benefits may vary somewhat according to specific collective bargaining agreements and are prorated for anything less than full-time.

There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role. 

As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics. 

If you’re looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you. Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

Thinking about applying?

Research shows that people from historically excluded communities tend to apply to jobs only when they check every box in the posting. If you’re currently reading this and hesitating to apply for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! Let us know how your lived experience and passion set you apart.