OPS Special Grants Specialist - 31902030

Requisition No: 873476 

Agency: Division of Emergency Management

Working Title: OPS Special Grants Specialist - 31902030

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 31902030 

Salary:  $32.00/Hourly 

Posting Closing Date: 04/20/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Special Grants Specialist - OPS

Bureau of Recovery, Special Grants Section

Florida Division of Emergency Management

This position is located in Tallahassee, Florida

The Florida Division of Emergency Management plans for and responds to both natural and man-made disasters.  These range from floods and hurricanes to incidents involving hazardous materials or nuclear power.  FDEM is the liaison between federal, state, and local agencies. FDEM prepares and implements a statewide Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, routinely conducts extensive exercises to test state and county emergency response capabilities, provides technical assistance to local governments as they prepare emergency plans and procedures, as well as conducts emergency operations trainings for state and local government agencies.

FDEMserves as the lead agency for the State Emergency Response Team (SERT), whose primary goal is the coordination of the state’s efforts during disaster response and recovery. This coordination is conducted within the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) in Tallahassee. Additionally, the FDEM manages the State Watch Office; the 24-hours a day operation tasked with providing situational awareness to stakeholders statewide. After a disaster, FDEM conducts damage assessment surveys and advises the Governor of the State of Florida on whether to declare an emergency and seek federal relief funds. It is against this backdrop that FDEM strives to demonstrate its mission of, “Coordinate, collaborate and communicate with our community stakeholders for a resilient Florida” along with our vision of, “Leading the Profession in building prepared and resilient communities”.

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

This position serves as a Special Grants Specialist for the Special Grants Unit in the Bureau of Recovery. The Special Grants Unit is responsible for managing disaster recovery grants and appropriations programs including, but not limited to Recovery Block Grants, Local Match Waiver Program, and the Legislative Appropriations Programs.  Duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Assist the Special Grants Supervisor with administration, management, and closeout of special grants and programs, ensuring compliance with all applicable federal and state laws.
• Manage all aspects of contract/grant management, including preparation of funding agreements, processing of requests for reimbursement, and monitoring project agreements.
• Assist the Special Grants Supervisor in providing oversight of FDEM contracted staff that provides technical, fiscal, and grant management assistance to sub-recipients related to the receipt and use of federal and state funding.
• Review all workflow documentation submitted by contractor staff to ensure the technical correctness, numerical accuracy, and completeness before submission for payment approval or closeout.
• Assist with reviews and validations of applicant documentation, as it relates to the Florida Recovery Obligation Calculation (F-ROC) program.
• Assist supervisor with tracking ongoing audits.
• Provide technical assistance relating to the receipt and use of federal and state emergency management funding to assure the completion of activities specified in the contracts awarded by the bureau.
• Ensure all records are maintained and relevant correspondence recorded in the appropriate database(s).
• Prepare required reports regarding the status of awarded agreements. 
• Maintain an automated logging system for tracking all agreement payments.
• Prepare required financial reports, as assigned.
• Perform assigned duties during State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) activation in support of emergency response and recovery efforts.
• Perform other duties, as assigned.

In response to emergency events, Florida Division of Emergency Management employees may be required to work irregular hours, to work more than 8 hours per day, to work extended periods (including weekends and holidays), to work at locations other than their official headquarters, and to perform duties in addition to those outlined in the employee’s position description.  Employees must be able to deploy to emergency sites with limited advance notice.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to understand, interpret, and apply relevant Florida Administrative Code, Florida Statutes, and Code of Federal Regulations as well as FDEM policies and procedures related to contract/grant development, contract/grant management, and payment processing procedures.
• Ability to provide technical assistance to state and local governments and other entities on contracts/grants and payments.
• Ability to monitor grantee compliance with program requirements through review, analysis and processing of financial and program deliverables including expenditure, budgeting, staffing and progress reports, audits and requests for payment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage all aspects of contract/grant management, including preparation of funding agreements, processing of requests for reimbursement and monitoring project agreements.
• Knowledge of basic accounting and auditing principles and procedures. 
• Ability to communicate effectively through verbal and written communications.
• Demonstrated computer software skills, including Word, Excel, and other database/spreadsheet software, including but not limited to PowerPoint.
• Ability to collect, analyze, and interpret contract/grant programmatic and financial data.
• Ability to prepare complex ad hoc reports using various systems and sources of information.
• Ability to independently develop timelines and deadlines for multiple projects to successfully complete work accurately and on time.
• Ability to travel overnight and to work non-traditional hours during emergency events and assume disaster relief duties as directed.
• Ability to utilize problem-solving techniques.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Valid driver’s license.
• Florida Certified Contract Manager (FCCM) certification or have the ability and willingness to obtain within the first 12 months of employment.
• Experience using Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook) with the ability to learn and navigate FDEM enterprise business systems.

Special Notes:

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

The Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) is committed to successfully recruiting and onboarding talented and skilled individuals into its workforce and appreciates the service and sacrifices made by veterans and their family members. Further, FDEM recognizes the immeasurable value veterans bring to the workplace and is committed to increasing the number of veterans that serve in its workforce.

FDEM is committed to increasing recruitment and hiring of individuals with disabilities and improving employment outcomes. An individual with a disability is qualified if he or she satisfies the skills, experience, and other job-related requirements for a position and can perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must contact the FDEM Office of Human Resources (OHR) at (448) 213-4390. FDEM requests applicants notify OHR in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

Successful completion of background screening will be required for this position.

The State of Florida and FDEM participate in E-Verify. This federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

In response to emergency events, FDEM employees may be required to work irregular hours, to work more than 8 hours per day, to work extended periods (including weekends and holidays), to work at locations other than their official headquarters, and to perform duties in addition to those outlined in the employee’s position description. Employees must be able to deploy to emergency sites with limited advance notice.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.