Job Description GENERAL DESCRIPTION The Grants Administration Division of the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) is seeking a Grants Specialist whose work will involve financial analysis, including on-site and desk monitoring work for the division. Work involves financial and programmatic monitoring of the various government and non-profit organizations that receive grants or contracts from the Grants Administration Division. Work includes examination, investigation, and review of grantee's records, reports, financial statements, and management practices to ensure legal compliance with regulations and state and federal statutes regarding granted funds and programmatic compliance with the Grant Application Kits.
The OAG is a dynamic state agency with over 4,000 employees throughout the State of Texas. As the State's law firm, the OAG provides exemplary legal representation in diverse areas of law. OAG employees enjoy excellent benefits along with tremendous opportunities to do important work at a large, dynamic state agency making a positive difference in the lives of Texans.
ESSENTIAL POSITION FUNCTIONS - Conducts on-site monitoring and desk reviews. Prepares independent analyses and recommendations regarding grant program economy, efficiency, and effectiveness. Examines grantee management operations, internal control systems, and accounting records for adequacy, accuracy, and compliance with legal regulations. Examines grantee programmatic activities for accuracy and compliance with Grant Application Kits. Conducts monitoring procedures such as data gathering, data review and analysis, document review, verification, and criteria development. Reviews controls and accounting systems and recommends changes in procedures as needed. May perform and evaluate compliance testing of significant controls to determine electronic system reliance. May conduct special investigations into questionable accounting or management operations, practices, or records.
- Prepares grant monitoring reports including the preparation of an outline, specification of internal reviews, preparation of a draft report, review of the draft with the grantee, preparation of the final report incorporating grantee comments as appropriate, and submission of the final report for management review and approval.
- Reviews or assists in the review of Annual Financial Audits submitted by grantees to assess risk to OAG grant funds. Responsible for reporting
- Audit findings which indicate risk to management. May manage or assist in managing audit tracking.
- Assists in developing and coordinating overall monitoring plan and carrying out planned work. Assists in creating or updating scope-of-monitoring proposals using appropriate assessments, policies and procedures, and presents report for management approval. Develops grant monitoring objectives and project procedures and deliverables.
- Assists management with the creation and updating of Grant Monitoring Policies and Procedures. Makes recommendations for Policy and
- Procedure revisions as appropriate to reflect changes in approved protocols or to enhance the monitoring process. Assists in preparing administrative reports, studies, and specialized projects. Summarizes data into concise memos and reports.
- Acquires and maintains a working knowledge of state and federal grant guidelines, sources of funding, and trends in grant monitoring and administration.
- Communicates effectively with grantees. Provides technical assistance to help grantees maximize performance, achieve project success, and exercise good stewardship.
- Use reasonable and sound judgement to carry out duties.
- Performs related work as assigned
- Maintains relevant knowledge necessary to perform essential job functions
- Attends work regularly in compliance with agreed-upon work schedule
- Ensures security and confidentiality of sensitive and/or protected information
- Complies with all agency policies and procedures, including those pertaining to ethics and integrity
Qualifications: MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; experience in the following (or closely related) fields may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis: grant management, contract management, audit review, business administration, public administration, victim services, or human services
- Experience: One year full-time experience working in the following (or closely related) fields: grant management, contract management, business administration, audit review/administration, public administration, victim services, or human services
- Knowledge of victim's rights and resources, child support and family initiatives, non-profit administration, and volunteer management practices
- Skill in reviewing or analyzing audits to determine risk or equivalent
- Skill in using Microsoft Office products including Microsoft Word, Excel, and other database software
- Skill in handling multiple tasks, prioritizing, and meeting deadlines
- Skill in effective oral and written communication
- Skill in exercising sound judgment and effective decision making
- Skill in planning, developing and evaluating programs or policies, establishing goals, and devising solutions to problems
- Ability to develop risk assessments, work procedures, and monitoring reports; gather and analyze audit information; and evaluate accounting and management operations systems and legal compliance
- Ability to receive and respond positively to constructive feedback
- Ability to work cooperatively with others in a professional office environment
- Ability to provide excellent customer service
- Ability to work in person at assigned OAG work location, perform all assigned tasks at designated OAG workspace within OAG work location, and perform in-person work with coworkers (e.g., collaborating, training, mentoring) for the entirety of every work week (unless on approved leave)
- Must obtain Certified Texas Contracting Manager certification within one year of employment with the OAG
- Ability to arrange for personal transportation for business-related travel
- Ability to work more than 40 hours as needed and in compliance with the FLSA
- Ability to lift and relocate 30 lbs.
- Ability to travel (including overnight travel) up to 40%
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS - Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Business, Public Administration, Government/Political Science, Social Work or related field
- Experience: Four years full-time experience working in victim services, human services, or working for a state agency in a related field
- Experience: Monitoring programs for compliance and preparing written monitoring reports with established guidelines
- Experience: Gathering and analyzing accurate and relevant audit information, to evaluate accounting and management operations systems for accuracy and legal conformance, to accurately complete and assemble audit working papers
- Knowledge of state and federal guidelines for administering grants, including Texas Grant Management Standards
- Knowledge of accounting and auditing methods and systems; of generally accepted auditing standards and procedures
TO APPLY To apply for a job with the OAG, electronic applications can be submitted through CAPPS Recruit. A State of Texas application must be completed to be considered, and paper applications are not accepted. Your application for this position may subject you to a criminal background check pursuant to the Texas Government Code. Military Crosswalk information can be accessed at
THE OAG IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER