Grants Specialist

DSHS is committed to hiring skilled and dedicated individuals who share a passion for public health to pursue our vision of A Healthy Texas. If you are looking to make an impact and tackle new challenges, we encourage you to consider a career with us.

Employee Benefits:

DSHS offers insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS). To learn more about all the benefits available to you as a DSHS employee and other DSHS opportunities for early career pathways, visit the DSHS Careers Page.

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Functional Title: Grants Specialist 
Job Title: Program Specialist V 
Agency: Dept of State Health Services 
Department: Agency Wide Supplemental 
Posting Number: 2393 
Closing Date: 12/08/2025 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Business and Financial Operations 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-21 
Salary Range: $4,523.16 - $5,888.50 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift: Days (First) 
Telework: Not Eligible for Telework 
Travel: Up to 5% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: AUSTIN 
Job Location Address: 201 W HOWARD LN STE 200 
Other Locations: Austin 
MOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,86P0,88A0,88B0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS 
 
 
 

General Job Description:

Prepares tuberculosis (TB) and Hansen’s disease (HD) federal grant applications including budgets to meet grant requirements; reviews incoming applications to determine budget requirements and standards and ensures compliance with those requirements; monitors grant awards and serve as liaison between grantors and the Department of State Health Services (DSHS). Reviews all TB budgets submitted by local health departments and specialty contracts. Reviews budgets submitted by Hansen’s disease subrecipients and assures appropriate allocation of funding. Collaborates and consults with internal and external stakeholders, including program staff. Reviews and analyzes the financial impact of proposals involving contracts, grants and other agreements regardless of funding source. Analyzes changes in regulations and their effect on cost reimbursements and financial operations. Develops or maintains internal processes to track expenditures in the Unit. Acts as a liaison with DSHS Contract Management Section, Budget Office, Funds Coordination Management Branch, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Division for TB Elimination (DTBE) and the National Hansen’s Disease Program. Develops and prepares operational and statistical reports for Unit management.  

Essential Job Functions

Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.
EJF #1 – 25%: Prepares TB and Hansen’s disease grant applications to meet grant requirements. Reviews grant applications or proposals to determine budget requirements and standards and ensures compliance with those requirements and standards. Prepares proposals and budget detail for grant applications. Reviews all Hansen’s disease and TB 

budgets submitted by local health departments including specialty contracts as part of the grant application process; ensures each budget detail aligns within federal funding parameters; reviews and analyzes the financial impact of proposals involving contracts, grants and other agreements; communicates with the Contract Management Section on budget errors and requests modifications. Prepares appropriate documentation for internal budget review; evaluates work plans and timelines to ensure submission of federal grant application and program reports in a timely manner; routes completed grant application for internal review and approval and submits approved proposals and budget into Grants Solution or through other federally approved submission portals. Identifies sources of external funds and creates proposals to secure funds for new grant opportunities and grant renewal opportunities.

EJF #2 – 35%: Funds Management.
Prepares grant funds detail by reviewing terms and conditions of grant guidelines for expenditures. Updates and maintains budget detail of the Unit’s state general revenue funds. Develops, monitors, and reviews complex financial calculations and reports to monitor expenditures and minimize lapsing funds. Provides projections of Unit’s expenses to determine need for additional funds, potential overruns, and submits requests to grantors. Identifies potential situations and devise expenditure plans to avert cost overruns and disallowances. Ensures smooth transition during contract modifications and follow-through to sub-contract recipients. Communicates new regulations, procedures, and ensures final expenditure reports are completed. Makes recommendations for corrections or budget transfers when needed. Works with Funds Coordination Branch to resolve complex grants management issues. Acts as a liaison with the Contract Management Section, Budget Office, Funds Coordination Management Branch, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Division for TB Elimination (DTBE) and the National Hansen’s Disease Program.

EJF #3 – 25%: Develops and maintains internal fiscal management systems for the TB Unit.
Prepares reports such as monthly, annual and special reports to monitor budgeted funds, ensure the appropriate use of funds and for presentation purposes to leadership. Develops plans, methods, procedures, and systems of post-award grant and general revenue administration. Provides timely closeout of all expired projects through the coordination of fiscal and administrative resources. Participates in routine meetings with the Unit director.

EJF #4 – 10%: Serves as subject matter expert on grants management processes.
Clearly communicate to Unit staff, resource coordinators and others, federal laws, regulations, policies, precedents, statutes, decisions, and directives pertaining to the solicitation, negotiation, award and management of grants and cooperative agreements for TB and Hansen’s disease to determine the extent of compliance with applicable statutory guidelines and to measure and evaluate performance and financial reporting requirements. Provides training on grant requirements to subrecipients and DSHS public health regions. Provides post-award orientations/training to project directors, program managers and key administrators regarding grants management. Provides guidance and assistance to staff, public health regions, and subrecipients regarding grant administration, policies, and procedures and resolves related issues and concerns. Provides recommendations to promote financial and grant compliance.

EJF #5 – 5%: Performs other duties as assigned.
Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.
 

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications

A valid and current Texas driver's license  

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to grants, contract administration, and general revenue funds
Knowledge of sound business management principles, practices, policies, and techniques to evaluate, monitor, and review budget submissions.
Knowledge of financial management and accounting
Knowledge of program planning and development
Skill in grant preparation, development, evaluation, and monitoring
Skill in report writing
Skill in budget development and monitoring
Skill in the use of a computer and applicable software
Ability to rapidly assimilate and retain fiscal and Branch policies, procedures, and practices.
Ability to work under occasional pressure.
Ability to adjust to constant changes and handle multiple tasks.
Ability to use judgment, tact, and resourcefulness to establish and maintain professional and
effective working relationships.
Ability to interpret guidelines, policies, procedures, and regulations
Ability to evaluate contracts
Ability to evaluate fiscal data for reasonableness, necessity, and conformity with grant requirements.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Initial Screening Criteria

1. Experience in developing grant proposals.
2. Experience in grant budget development and monitoring.
3. Experience in state government budget development.
 

Additional Information

1. Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.
2. The salary offered will follow DSHS starting salary guidelines. Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds.
3. Applicants invited to an interview will be administered a skills test as part of the interview process.  

Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified for this position. For more information see the Texas State Auditor’s Military Crosswalk at https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions/.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), DSHS will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring process for individuals with a qualifying disability. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the interview process, please notify the person who contacts you to schedule the interview. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747 or via email at HHSServiceCenter.Applications@ngahrhosting.com.

Salary Information, Pre-employment Checks, and Work Eligibility:

• The salary offered will follow DSHS starting salary guidelines. Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds.
• Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.
• DSHS uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.  Download the I-9 form