Contract/Grant Manager - State Public Assistance Officer - Repost

Location: Augusta,Maine,United States

Department of Veterans, Defense & Emergency Management - Maine Emergency Management Agency

Job Class Code: 0342
Grade: 27 (Supervisory)
Salary: $61,942.40-87,464.00/Annually
Location: Augusta, Maine

Opening Date: December 23, 2024

Closing Date:  January 10, 2025

Has the world of disaster recovery ever fascinated you? Is working with communities on recovering from major disasters something that moves you? The State Public Assistance Officer provides professional level grant program technical assistance to governmental and private non-profit organizations throughout the comprehensive disaster recovery process, as it pertains to the FEMA Public Assistance Program. The Public Assistance Program, administered by FEMA through the States, provides supplemental grants to state, tribal, territorial, and local governments, and certain types of private non-profits so communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies. The Public Assistance Officer serves as the coordinator and administrator of such funds to eligible Maine recipients after an Emergency Declaration or Major Disaster Declaration. With natural disasters increasing in frequency and intensity, this essential position serves in a pivotal & fast-paced role. This position serves in a supervisory capacity.

Anticipated vacancy of 11/15/2024. This position must report to the Augusta office Monday and Tuesday of each week at minimum. Remote options are available with supervisor clearance for the remainder of the work week. Occasional travel is required. All Maine Emergency Management Agency employees are expected to serve in the State Emergency Operations Center beyond standard work hours during a real-time emergency event.

Primary responsibilities include:  

• Monitors activities of subrecipients as necessary, and reviews systems of internal controls in order to ensure that federal awards are used appropriately, performance goals are achieved, and to ensure compliance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
•  Retains accurate financial and programmatic spreadsheets/documentation across all subrecipients and oversees all aspects of the grant program to include eligibility determination, application development, grant award, quarterly reporting, reimbursement processing, and project/program closeout.
• Interprets program trends, results, and related data to formulate recommendations to MEMA's leadership team on programmatic, financial, and agency preparedness focal points.
• Offers technical assistance to subrecipients under the Public Assistance Program and monitors expenditures of funds in order to stay in accordance with federal and state grant guidelines.
•  Reviews and analyzes laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures; and makes recommendations for revision or repeal in order to ensure compliancy of MEMA and program subrecipients.
•  Consults with federal, state, county, and local agencies in order to provide technical assistance concerning all aspects of Public Assistance Program.
• Consults with program coordinators and federal contract/grant specialists in developing program guidelines and grant proposals in order to monitor agency compliance with federal contract/grant requirements.

Skills or knowledge required:

• Knowledge of Emergency Management practices and related fields

• Knowledge of budget methods, techniques, and practices

• Knowledge of the structure & functions of state, regional & local government

• Knowledge of grants and accessibility of federal and state funds

• Knowledge of contract administration practices and procedures

• Knowledge of auditing standards, procedures, and practices.

Abilities considered essential to the position include:

• The ability to interpret program trends, results, and related data to formulate recommendations
• The ability to manage multiple priorities with strong skills in problem-solving
• The ability to communicate effectively in writing and verba