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Office of State Procurement
Contract / Grant Specialist
Opening Date: July 27, 2026
Closing Date: August 10, 2026
Grade / Admin Unit : 27 / Supervisory
Job Class Code: 0340
Salary: $ 61,942.40 - $ 87,464.00 /Annually
Position Number: 004250109
Telework: Partial/ Hybrid , with management approval, upon completion of probationary period. All telework must be performed in the State of Maine.
Currently, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions.
This is professional services work in negotiating, processing, administering, and monitoring contracts, grants, and other purchase of service agreements. Work includes conducting on-site visits with providers, providing information and assistance, evaluating provider performance, and coordinating and conferring with outside resources in the delivery of services. Work is performed under general supervision.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Confers with outside providers, department employees, community resources, and other concerned officials in order to explain and clarify contract, grant, and request for proposal (RFP) processes.
- Reviews and analyzes contracts, grants, and RFP's and discusses feasibility, cost, and impact in order to provide input and make recommendations.
- Conducts on-site visits with public and private agency administrators and providers; discusses ideas, plans, priority target populations, proposals, budgets, and performance-based contracting in order to gather performance data and/or exchange information.
- Receives, collects, and analyzes performance data; establishes and monitors contractual or related benchmarking, and prepares reports in order to monitor and evaluate provider performance and provide information.
- Reviews and analyzes program policies, procedures, and practices; and develops and proposes program changes in order to improve program effectiveness and efficiency.
- Contacts and confers with community resources and public/private agencies in order to encourage, develop, and negotiate mutual understanding, cooperation, and participation in the delivery of services.
- Reviews and collects program reports and related material; develops and prepares training materials; and delivers presentations in order to provide training to external resources and agency employees.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES REQUIRED
- Knowledge of budget methods, techniques, and practices.
- Knowledge of contract administration practices and procedures.
- Knowledge of grants and accessibility of federal and state funds.
- Knowledge of the legislative process.
- Knowledge of data processing and information services.
- Knowledge of negotiation methods and techniques.
- Knowledge of department or agency programs and services.
- Knowledge of performance-based contracting.
- Ability to develop, design, and implement departmental plans, budgets, goals, objectives, and controls.
- Ability to develop and analyze complex financial information.
- Ability to manage diverse administrative functions.
- Ability to assess problems, reach logical conclusions, and develop appropriate solutions.
- Ability to communicate effectively.
- Ability to write clearly and effectively.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
- Ability to analyze market and supply chain data to assess present and future availability.
- Ability to perform required tasks with minimal supervisory oversight.
- Ability to learn, interpret and apply Division of Procurement Services policies and procedures.
- Ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of customers, internal stakeholders, vendors, suppliers and any other parties involved in the procurement process.
- Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Education, training, and/or experience demonstrating competence in contract or grant administration.
Preference will be given to those with proven skills in the following areas:
- Comprehensive knowledge of CGI/Advantage; specifically accounting and vendor functions
- Drafting scope of service documents and an understanding of their characteristics
- Strong written and editorial skills
- Workload balancing and prioritization.
- Ability to follow, understand and convey solicitation processes.
- Contracting and Master Agreements
- Meeting and training agency staff
- Purchase card use, statement management and rules.
- Commitment to innovation and process improvement
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
Please submit a cover letter along with a current resume and three (3) professional references .
In order for us to properly determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for any posting, you must be sure your resume includes the month and year for any relevant experience listed. Your resume should include the duties and responsibilities associated with each position. Any experience that was not full-time employment should be identified as such.
For more information or questions specific to the position, please contact [email protected]
The selected candidate will be required to pass the required background checks (fingerprinting may be required ) as a condition of employment .
Benefits of working for the State of Maine:
No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:
Work-Life Balance – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums ($11,857.68-$13,950.24 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State .
Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including fathers and adoptive parents—receive forty-two (42) consecutive calendar days of fully paid parental leave . Additional , unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act .
State employees are eligible for an extensive and highly competitive benefits package , covering many aspects of wellness. Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness .
Note: Benefits may vary somewhat according to specific collective bargaining agreements and are prorated for anything less than full-time.
There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role.
As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics.
If you’re looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you. Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.
Research shows that people from historically excluded communities tend to apply to jobs only when they check every box in the posting. If you’re currently reading this and hesitating to apply for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! Let us know how your experience and passion set you apart.
If you require a paper application, please download and print one HERE
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If you are unable to complete the online application, please contact the Human Resources representative listed on the job opening you are interested in applying for. They will work with you for an alternative method of submitting.
