Grants Financial Specialist

The newly established Office of Grants Management (OGM) within the Department of Health Services (DHS) is hiring a Grants Financial Specialist. In collaboration with subject matter experts throughout DHS, OGM provides the agency with centralized grantmaking functions to focus on customer service, compliance with federal requirements, and the overall consistency and quality of the grants process.

This position can work remotely up to 5 days per week but requires reporting to the Madison office at 201 E. Washington Ave. occasionally to complete certain tasks such as quarterly in-person OGM staff meetings and onboarding. This position can be headquartered at one of our central or regional offices. 

As an employee of the State of Wisconsin, you'll have access to an amazing benefits package, including:

• 3.5 weeks of vacation, 9 paid holidays and ample sick time; limitations may apply for leave time usage in the first six months. 
• Top rated health plan options starting at $47/month for single plans and $117/month for family plans, after 2 months of state service. 
• Exceptional pension plan with a 7.25% employer match in 2027 with lifetime retirement payment. Plus, a tax advantaged supplemental retirement savings plan which allows you to save money directly from your paycheck for retirement. Use this Total Rewards Calculator to see the total value of our competitive benefits package!  
• Several flex spending accounts: medical, dependent care, commuter, parking and High Deductible Health Savings.
• Well Wisconsin Wellness Program
• A free and confidential employee assistance program that offers employees and their immediate family dependents a variety of tools, resources, and professional consultation services to support their health, goals, and overall well-being.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program employer.

As a Grants Financial Specialist, you will be responsible for performing a broad range of complex financial management duties that support the fiscal integrity, compliance, and accountability within the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), a five-year, up to $1 billion federal funded initiative focused on improving health outcomes in rural Wisconsin.  You will play a key role in ensuring the accuracy, consistency, and compliance of financial activities within the RHTP and ensuring adherence to federal Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), state fiscal policies, and DHS internal control standards. Responsibilities include: 

• Working closely with grant subrecipients, program staff, and leadership to support sound fiscal stewardship and successful implementation of rural health initiatives.
• Managing reimbursement and payment processes.
• Monitoring and reconciling expenditures. 
• Providing technical assistance to internal program staff and external grantees.
• Providing contract, procurement, and vendor support.
• Reviewing financial documentation submitted by providers, contractors, and subrecipients to assess allowability, allocability, reasonableness, and necessity.
• Preparing and reconciling financial reports using multiple financial and program reporting systems.
• Participating in the development and implementation of fiscal policies, procedures, and internal controls.

The starting pay is $34.19 per hour, plus excellent benefits. A 12-month probationary period is required. 

Pay for current or former state employees will be set based on the rules that apply to compensation for the applicable transaction. The position is classified as a Financial Specialist - Advanced and is in pay schedule and range 02/15.

• All applicants who may be appointed will be required to allow DHS to conduct a background check to determine whether the circumstances of any conviction may be related to the job being filled.
• For positions that allow remote working flexibility, working outside of Wisconsin or in bordering cities will not be allowed except in extremely limited circumstances due to the need to report to an office location in Wisconsin on short notice.
• Employees must have access to both a private workspace and secure high-speed internet for remote work option. Mileage reimbursement to the employee’s headquarter location is not provided. 
• DHS does not sponsor work visas for this position, thus, in compliance with federal law, selected candidates will be required to verify eligibility to work in the United States by completing the required I-9 form upon hire. DHS is not an E-Verify employer nor a STEM-OPT eligible employer.

Minimally qualified applicants will have all the following:

• Experience supporting financial components of grant or contract administration (e.g., assisting with budget forecasting and reporting, resolving discrepancies, reviewing for accuracy, monitoring expenditures, reconciling reimbursements from subrecipients, etc.).
• Experience auditing financial documents or transactions to ensure compliance with rules and guidelines.
• Experience providing technical assistance on fiscal or financial topics to internal and external customers (e.g., explaining guidelines, providing training, resolving issues, etc.)

Well-qualified applicants will also have one or more of the following:

• Experience supporting rural health, human services or public health funding programs.
• Experience interpreting and applying federal or state grant regulations such as Uniform Guidance.
• Experience identifying opportunities for improvements or efficiencies to financial processes and procedures and making recommendations to management.
• Experience interpreting and applying state or federal regulations or guidelines related to procurement or accounting.

Your letter of qualifications is limited to one (1) page. Your resume is limited to two (2) pages. For a guide on developing your resume and letter of qualifications and what should be included in these materials, click here.

Applying is easy! Click “Apply for Job” to start your application process.  Sign into your account or create an account before applying for the job. Follow the steps outlined in the application process to submit your application.

Helpful Information: 

• Once your application is submitted, no changes are allowed. Click “Save” to allow changes to your application as needed before submitting by the deadline. 
• You may want to save a copy of the job posting for referencing after the deadline.
• Submitted materials will be evaluated by a panel of job experts according to the qualifications above. 
• Please monitor your email for communications related to this position. 
• Current or former permanent, classified, state employees must complete the online application process to be considered. 
• If viewing through an external site, please apply directly at Wisc.Jobs. 
• For technical assistance and general information, please see Frequently Asked Questions. For questions about the position, to request a copy of the full position description, or for other employment inquiries, please contact Shannon in Human Resources at [email protected]. 

DHS is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. 

Veterans are encouraged to apply. For complete information on Veterans’ hiring programs with the WI Department of Veteran’s Affairs, click here.

The deadline to apply is September 22 at 11:59 pm. 

Applicants are strongly encouraged to allow ample time to finalize their applications keeping in mind that technical assistance is only available Monday through Friday 7:45 am – 4:30 pm.  Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.