Federal Grant Specialist

About the job

Position Location:  This position is required to be in-person in Tallahassee, FL.

Organizational Unit

The Institute for School-Community Partnerships, Integrated Services, and Child Mental Health and Educational Policy (ISCP), which is part of the College of Education, envisions that all schools in the state of Florida and nationally will have the capacity to provide a safe, effective, and efficient environment to continuously improve the academic, social, and emotional growth of all students and to actively engage families and communities in education. The ISCP’s nearly $23 million budget is derived from grants from federal, state, and private sources. It is the mission of the ISCP to implement and evaluate research-based and innovative practices in school and community settings. This is accomplished through (a) training, technical assistance, and support to key partners; (b) community-engaged research and program evaluation to inform key partners’ decision making; (c) the development of research and evidence-based documents, tools, and resources to support implementation and evaluation activities; and (d) supporting the infrastructure and capacity of key partners to implement and evaluate federal and state educational policy.

Position Summary

The Federal Grant Specialist provides support for federal programs and for Strategic Improvement initiatives through grant management processes. Grant management processes include implementing new grant application procedures, reviewing grant applications, monitoring awarded grants, and reporting data from grant programs. The Grant Specialist must interact professionally with all stakeholders while demonstrating, modeling, and reinforcing the Department's fundamental values of quality, fairness, cooperation, respect, commitment, excellence, honesty and teamwork. This position is grant funded.

The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg and USF Health. In 2025, U.S. News & World Report recognized USF with its highest overall ranking in university history, as a top 50 public university for the seventh consecutive year and as one of the top 15 best values among all public universities in the nation. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine in the highest tier, placing it as one of the top 16 medical schools in the nation and inside the top 10 among public universities. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $750 million in research funding in 2025 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of nearly $10 billion for the state of Florida. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.

Responsibilities

Special Requirement:  This position is required to be in-person in Tallahassee, FL.

Responsibilities

Reviews applications from sub-grant recipients, including plans, budgets, and deliverables. Evaluates applications and uses own judgement to determine if sufficient documentation and evidence of specific grant requirements has been provided. Provides feedback and guidance to assigned school districts to ensure all steps involved in the annual renewal process for grantees are completed and recorded by the stated deadline.

Monitors districts and schools to ensure compliance with sub-grant rules, requirements, and processes. Performs on-site compliance monitoring activities for identified districts. Ensures that districts meet specific requirements as evidenced in plans, budgets, documentation, etc. submitted as part of the application process. Provides guidance and support to school district to ensure that compliance with grant requirements is well documented.

In conjunction with FDOE personnel, maintains compliance with all applicable federal and state grant requirements. Communicates updates to and applies statutes, rules, regulations, non-regulatory guidelines, technical assistance papers and reports, United States Department of Education program directives, state board rules, and other requirements related to the administration of grant program(s). Prepares reports for external evaluators, auditors, and the United States Department of Education.

Collaborates with FDOE, school, and district stakeholders to develop and implement plans, processes, and professional learning opportunities to build stakeholder capacity and facilitate more effective and efficient grant submissions, compliance, and program implementation. Attends national and state conferences and meetings. Serves as a resource for FDOE, school, and district stakeholders to help navigate adherence to grant requirements.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

NOTE:  This position is required to be in-person in Tallahassee, FL.

Minimum Qualifications:

This position requires a Bachelor's degree in a field directly related to the program responsibilities and two years of professional experience; or Master's degree in an area of specialization appropriate for the program.  Degree should be in education, business, or related field.

Degree Equivalency Clause: Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree. • Senate Bill 1310- The Florida Senate (https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/1310) is conditional upon meeting all employment eligibility requirements in the U.S. • SB 1310: Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements • A public employer may include a postsecondary degree as a baseline requirement only as an alternative to the number of years of direct experience required, not to exceed: • (a) Two years of direct experience for an associate degree; • (b) Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree; • (c) Six years of direct experience for a master’s degree; • (d) Seven years of direct experience for a professional degree; or • (e) Nine years of direct experience for a doctoral degree • Related work experience may not substitute for any required licensure, certification, or registration required for the position of employment as established by the public employer and indicated in the advertised description of the position of employment. • Minimum Qualifications that require a high school diploma are exempt from SB 1310.

Preferred Qualifications:

Grant management experience needed to carry out essential job duties.  Skills required a) able to establish and maintain well-organized, efficient systems; b) knowledge of data management and record keeping; c) knowledge of grants; d) able to use discretion and maintain confidentiality; e) strong interpersonal skills that lead to an effective working relationship with all stakeholders; f) strong written and verbal communication skills; g) strong organizational and problem-solving skills; h) ability to meet tight deadlines, balance multiple and competing priorities and maintain goal-directed behavior and performance; i) strong knowledge of Microsoft Office, Excel and Word programs.

Requires: Criminal History Background Check - Level 1 Requires: Criminal History Background Check - Level 2

About Us

Working at USF

With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF‘s rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida’s best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state’s 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.

About USF

The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.

Compliance and Federal Notices

This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws:

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law.  The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law.  The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.  This job description does not constitute an employment contract.

Additional Information

• Job Identification: 44581
• Job Category: Business Services
• Posting Date: 2026-10-19
• Apply Before: 2026-11-02
• Locations: 4202 E Fowler Ave, Tampa, FL, 33620, US
• Hiring Salary: $50,584 - $52,000
• Essential Personnel: No