Grant Program Specialist

Job Description: The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food is hiring a Grant Specialist in our Marketing and Economic Development Division. The selected individual will be responsible for the administration of federal grants, including the USDA AMS Specialty Crop Block Grant (SCBG) Program, the USDA AMS Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) Program, and helping with the CMS Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program. The incumbent will also provide information about funding resources available to Utah farmers, ranchers, and food businesses; may aid the department in acquiring additional grant funding; and other duties as assigned. Responsibilities: Administration of the USDA AMS Specialty Crop Block Grant and the USDA AMS Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) Program: Write, review, and/or negotiate grants, contracts and/or agreements Work with applicants and awardees to ensure compliance for federal, state, and local grant requirements Ensures all required aspects of the contract are completed according to specifications and to contract requirements. Ensure UDAF compliance with all federal requirements Work closely with UDAF Finance to ensure integrity, accuracy and control of data. Provides technical assistance and contract interpretation to contractors. Meets and confers with management, users, and contract providers to resolve problems and coordinate services. Monitors agency or program budget including revenues, expenditures and budget projection, etc. Process grant applications Produce accurate and timely reports Process invoices from awardees Perform project audits and site visits to ensure compliance with grant requirements Facilitate communication between awardees, federal partners, and UDAF Market the program to increase public awareness and applications Report to UDAF Grant Program Manager to assist in the administration of the Rural Health Transformation Program: Assist in developing, directing, and evaluating the program Perform program outreach and monitoring to project applicants and recipients, including traveling as needed Work with applicants and awardees to ensure compliance with all grant requirements Ensure all required aspects of the contract are completed according to specifications and to contract requirements. Ensure UDAF compliance with all federal requirements Provide technical assistance with grant process as needed Meet and confer with management, users, and contract providers to resolve problems and coordinate services. Provide consultation, makes recommendations, gives appropriate advice, and/or facilitates decisions related to public information. Monitor and evaluates operations, programs, processes and/or practices for quality and effectiveness; makes recommendations for improvement. May assist in processing grant applications, contracts, producing reports, and processing invoices from awardees Perform project audits and site visits to ensure compliance with grant requirements Facilitate communication between awardees, federal partners, and UDAF Market the program to increase public awareness and applications Other: Provide information and technical assistance to agriculture and food businesses on available financial resources including federal, state, and local grants, lending opportunities, and grants offered by UDAF. Assist UDAF in meeting strategic goals by researching and procuring additional grant funding Advise UDAF leadership on federal and other grants available to the Department and to local agriculture and food businesses. Work collaboratively with the Marketing and Economic Development Division team across other projects as needed Why You Should Join Our Team: The Marketing and Economic Development Division at the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) is a small team of marketing, communication, and business and economic development professionals that aid UDAF’s mission and initiatives to support Utah’s agriculture and food businesses. The mission of the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food is to support the development of Utah’s agriculture and food industries, serve as a steward of our natural resources, safeguard public health, protect consumers, and ensure a quality food supply. Benefits: The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food offers competitive wages, excellent health and retirement benefits, fulfilling work, and generous time off to ensure a positive work-life balance. This position may be eligible for telework or a hybrid telework schedule upon completion of a probationary period.