Massachusetts Jobs

The Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) is an agency under the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. MDAR's mission is to cultivate a robust and equitable agricultural economy, promote a safe and resilient food system, and preserve a healthy environment for Massachusetts farmers, animals, and consumers. The MDAR Food Security Infrastructure Grant (FSIG) Program is a grant program funded by an annual appropriation (FY24 = $25 million dollars) providing funds to projects for farmers, fishers, processors, food pantries, schools, and other food supply chain enterprises to support food security and supply chain resiliency, and to mitigate disruption. GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The Grants Specialist reports to the Director of Food Security and manages, administers, and coordinates the activities of the FSIG Grant Program. This individual is responsible for the daily operations of the program, ensures compliance with state procurement rules, collaborates with internal agency personnel and other state agencies, and communicates with awardees. Other responsibilities and duties include, but are not limited to: · Manages, administers, and coordinates the activities of the Department’s Food Security Infrastructure Grant (FSIG) Program in the Division of Food Security. · Manages the daily operations of the FSIG Program, ensuring the program is meeting key deadlines and deliverables in a timely, responsible, and efficient manner. · Follows state procurement rules and regulations, and agency established protocols. · Works collaboratively with the agency Grants Manager and legal and fiscal offices in the development and review of solicitations for Request for Proposals (RFR) for grant announcements. · Establishes and tracks the receipt and review of grant applications. Develops and maintains grants database. · Accountable for managing, monitoring, and tracking spending of annual appropriations (FY24 = $25 million dollars) for grants for projects to farmers, fishers, processors, food pantries, schools, and other food supply chain enterprises to support supply chain resiliency and to mitigate disruption. · Organizes, coordinates, and manages interagency and cross-secretariat review team meetings. Manages the review of applications, organizes, and leads the interagency review team meetings. · Receives, tracks, and manages grant applications and ensures they move forward in the process in a timely manner, in conjunction with the FSIG procurement team. · Executes grant packages and forms for approval including preparation of the grant’s spreadsheet, awards memo, and draft press release, in coordination with the fiscal office. · Drafts, executes, manages, and tracks contracts with awarded entities in consultation with the Director of Food Security and legal and fiscal offices. · Regularly contacts, communicates, and responds to inquiries to/from FSIG applicants, both those awarded and not awarded grants. Applicants are from a wide variety of sectors within the food production and distribution system and this position requires communicating directly with a variety of individuals and sectors. This position also requires communicating and maintaining working relationships with other Secretariats and agencies outside of MDAR. · Make onsite visits to grantees to review program/project accomplishments to ensure compliance with legal, program and administrative requirements applicable to the grant and to make appropriate recommendations. · Prepare, review and make recommendations in reports concerning program activities. · Maintains website updates. · Conducts promotion and outreach of grant program initiatives through webinars and other means. · Receives and tracks invoices received from awardees in conjunction with the fiscal office and ensures invoices are processed in a timely manner. · Supervises the FSIG Contract employee who assists with administering the program. Provide on the job training to employees and contract employees concerning grants management and the FSIG program. · Other duties, as assigned. QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED AT HIRE · Skills and abilities necessary to manage a large grant program.* · Strong organization skills with attention to detail.* · Ability to multitask and track program progress and success.* · Ability to problem solve.* · Ability to conduct program evaluation.* · Ability to work independently and in a team environment.* · Strong communication skills both written and verbal.* · Ability to collaborate.* · Understanding of food systems.* · Knowledge of food security.* · Passion for food justice.* · Cultural sensitivity. * * *Preferred Qualifications: * · Experience working in state government. · Experience with state procurement policies and procedures.* * *First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days. Minimum Entrance Requirements: Applicants must have at least (A) three years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional, supervisory managerial or administrative experience in public administration, business administration or business management, and (B) of which at least one year must have been in grants management, contract administration or contract management work, or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below. Substitutions: I. An Associate's degree with a major in business administration, public administration, or business management may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required experience.* II. A Bachelor's or higher degree with a major in business administration, public administration or business management may be substituted for the required experience.* Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed. NOTE: No substitutions will be permitted for the required (B) experience. Special Requirements: None. _Comprehensive Benefits_ When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future. Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards! *An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role. Job: Accounting and Finance* *Organization: Department of Agricultural Resources *Title: *Food Security Infrastructure Grant (FSIG) Management Specialist Location: Massachusetts-225 Turnpike Road-Southborough Requisition ID: 240006BD