[Hiring] Contract/Grant Manager @State of Maine

Role Description

Do you have experience managing grants and helping people navigate complex programs? Would you like to support Maine farmers, forestry businesses, aquaculture producers, and other natural resource businesses recovering from natural disasters? If so, this job may be your future!

This limited period position will play a key role in administering DACF grant and disaster recovery programs, with a primary focus on Maine’s Natural Resources Disaster Relief Assistance Program (NRDRAP), funded through the USDA American Relief Act of 2025 Disaster Relief Block Grant. The Contract/Grant Manager will:

• Support the administration, monitoring, and reporting of grant funds.
• Provide technical assistance to applicants and awardees.
• Coordinate with federal, state, contracted, and community partners.
• Monitor compliance with state and federal requirements.
• Collect and analyze program data.

The position will work closely with farmers, forestry businesses, aquaculture producers, contractors, and other program participants throughout the grant lifecycle, from application and eligibility review through contracting, monitoring, reimbursement, reporting, and closeout. The position may also support other grant and contract programs within the Bureau of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources.

Examples of the work the person in this position will conduct are:

• Administer state and federal grant agreements and monitor expenditures, deliverables, and program requirements.
• Serve as a key program contact for applicants and awardees, providing technical assistance and troubleshooting grant administration issues.
• Review applications, reimbursement requests, reports, and supporting documentation for completeness and compliance.
• Coordinate with federal and state agencies, contractors, reviewers, and other partners involved in program implementation.
• Conduct monitoring and due diligence activities, including site visits as needed, to ensure funds are used appropriately and requirements are met.
• Maintain program records and reporting systems, and collect, analyze, and report data related to awards, expenditures, outcomes, compliance, and performance.
• Support outreach, informational sessions, grant procedures and guidance, and other grant and contract activities within Agricultural Resource Development.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of grant and contract administration, including monitoring, reporting, and compliance.
• Familiarity with state and/or federal funding processes and program requirements.
• Strong project management, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to review and analyze financial, programmatic, and supporting documentation.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including providing technical assistance to applicants, awardees, and partners.

Requirements

• An eight-year combination of education, training, and/or progressively responsible experience in procurement support and contract/grant compliance.
• Preference may be given to candidates with experience administering state or federal grant programs; providing technical assistance to applicants or awardees; conducting monitoring or compliance activities; or working with agriculture, forestry, aquaculture, natural resources, disaster recovery, or rural economic development programs.
• Currently, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions.

Benefits

• Work-Life Balance – 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually.
• Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums.
• Health Insurance Premium Credit – Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%.
• Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums.
• Retirement Plan – The State of Maine contributes 14.06% of pay to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS).
• Gym Membership Reimbursement – Up to $40 per month to offset gym expenses.
• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts – Set aside money pre-tax for out-of-pocket health care and daycare expenses.
• Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness – The State of Maine is a qualified employer for this federal program.
• Living Resources Program – Employee assistance program for navigating challenging work and life situations.
• Parental leave – 42 consecutive calendar days of fully paid parental leave for all employees welcoming a child.
• Voluntary Deferred Compensation – Save additional pre-tax funds for retirement in a MaineSaves 457(b) account.