DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' SERVICES

Department of Veterans' Services - Headquarters
1688 West Adams Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85007

Salary: $20.00- $25.00 hourly (DOE) 

Grade: 19

Closing Date: November 11, 2025

Would you like to be part of an amazing team that helps veterans thrive? At the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services (ADVS), we are committed to serving and honoring veterans, service members, and their families by ensuring that they receive the highest quality services so they can thrive for a lifetime!

We are looking for an outstanding Grants Project Specialist. This integral position supports the administration of contracts, grants, grant-funded programs, and awarding of community-based grants.

Your rewards:
• The opportunity to receive a pension and healthcare benefits for a lifetime!
• Generous paid time-off benefits
• Wellness, employee assistance programs, plus so much more!

Your Contribution:
• Provide world-class services to improve the quality of life of veterans
• Participate in facility meetings, training sessions, and the implementation of the Arizona Management System (AMS) to achieve continuous improvement and efficiency
• Use and develop your potential within a supportive team environment

This position may be available for remote work within Arizona, 1-2 days per week in the office.

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State’s Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

• Support an assigned portfolio of federal and state grants awarded to the Agency, relevant grant sub-recipients and sub-contractors, and community-based grant recipients from the Veterans Donation Fund (VDF)
• Support the Public and Intergovernmental Affairs Division's grant and contract processes, VDF processes, key lifecycle tasks, and identifies/solves/determines appropriate resolutions for grant/contracting related problems
• Analyze program service needs and coordinate the preparation and development of grant and contract documents including grant funding proposals and applications, budget justifications and narratives, scopes of work, Requests for Proposal (RFPs), ISA/IGAs, contract amendments, and other related documents for grants/ contracts in portfolio
• Develop narrative reports and provide information to funding sources and agency staff
• Support assigned pre- and post-award lifecycle tasks for assigned portfolio including VDF Small and Large Grants, participate in pre-application conferences, evaluate proposals & recommendations for award, implement goals & objectives in grant requirements, monitor sub-awards/contracts, conduct site visits as needed, receive reports & deliverables from sub-recipients/sub-contractors/grant recipients, and provide technical assistance
• Assist with the performance and compliance monitoring process for assigned portfolio, and compile status reports on project timelines, budgets, program expenditures, extensions, amendments, invoicing and receipting, deliverables, and other related documents and reports to drive improvements and agency decisions
• Use process adherence tools to ensure federal/state compliance
• Coordinate payment authorizations in coordination with supervisor and the agency's Financial Services Unit
• Maintain the VDF Request for Grant Proposals (RFGP) database, provides direct communication with applicants to clarify eligibility/guidelines and obtain additional information as needed prior to submission
• Review submitted proposals, budgets, and supplemental materials for completion and confirm applicant eligibility in accordance with grant requirements and other regulations
• Prepares completed applications and facilitates reviews with the Grant Committees
• Assist with management of the VDF Grantees, monitor awards/contracts, receive reports and deliverables from recipients, and provide ongoing technical assistance
• Work with agency staff to review grants for compliance, payments, reconciliations, collections, etc.
• Prepare monthly expenditure reports and administration reconciliations of grant program activity
• Produce financial and programmatic reports
• Performs outreach and engagement activities to the community and Veteran Service Organizations in an effort to inform availability of VDF monies available during the given VDF grant year and solicitation of volunteer grant reviewers, as needed

Knowledge of:

• Grant and contract administration principles
• Federal and state grant laws, statutes, rules, regulations, and procedures
• Federal and state procurement laws, statutes, rules, regulations, and procedures
• Grant sources, grant application procedures, proposals, and reporting requirements
• Accounting theories, principles, and practices as applied to grant and contract administration
• Federal, state, and local resources and benefit programs as it relates to the military/veteran community

Skills in:

• Oral and written communication including proposals and grant writing
• Planning, organizing, and directing workflow related to grant management
• Organization, time management, and project management
• Attention to detail, specifically overseeing contractor/grantee implementation of work
• Using a variety of computer software packages (e.g., Excel, Word, databases, PowerPoint, Google Suite, ECivis etc.)
• Establishing and maintaining working relationships with contracted and governmental agency representatives and special interest groups

Ability To:

• Interpret and analyze the impact of complex legislation, regulations, ordinances, contracts, and financial documents
• Interpret and analyze the impacts of complex legal documents on the Agency’s programs, strategic goals and objectives
• Ability to manage multiple and often simultaneous tasks, and create a work environment that is recognized for a high level of ethical integrity, timeliness, cost-effectiveness, accuracy, and results
• Set clear objectives and monitor process, progress, and results
• Analyze administrative and fiscal problems and make recommendations

• Previous experience in grant and contract life cycles, including identification of opportunities, conducting research, proposal writing, and managing grants and contracts
• Bachelor's degree preferred
• Previous experience with military/Veteran population (prior military service, military family, or civilian employment with military/veteran organization) preferred

Possession of and ability to retain a current, valid state-issued driver's license appropriate to the assignment. Employees who drive on State business are subject to driver's license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records and must complete any required driver training (see A.AC. R2-10-207.11).

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The Arizona Department of Veterans' Services offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:

• Sick leave
• Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
• Health and dental insurance
• Retirement plan
• Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
• Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS).  Please note, enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Paul Sharp at recruiting@azdvs.gov.

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.