What are the responsibilities and job description for the Federal Program Specialist (Exempt) position at State of Alaska?
Job Description
- The benefits of joining our team:
Working Title for this Position: Financial & Administrative Grants Specialist (Exempt)What you will be doing:Under the general direction of the Administrative Operations Manager, the Federal Program Specialist plays a key role in supporting the financial, compliance, and administrative functions of the Alaska Broadband Office (ABO).
This position is an exceptional opportunity to develop advanced knowledge in state accounting, state and federal grant budgeting, financial management, and the complex world of federal grant compliance and reporting requirements.
You will learn and apply federal regulations to assist with budget development and financial monitoring for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) grant. This role also serves as the lead for day-to-day administrative operations, provides coverage for the Administrative Specialist, and acts as the Administrative Operations Manager’s delegate during absences.
This is a rare, career-building position ideal for someone seeking to expand their knowledge and experience in state and federal budgeting, financial management, grant management, and administrative operations while contributing directly to Alaska’s historic broadband expansion efforts.
Our organization, mission, and culture:The department’s mission is to promote a healthy economy, strong communities, and protect consumers in Alaska. We take pride in fostering a friendly, collaborative, and professional environment built on accountability, respect, and teamwork.
The Alaska Broadband Office offers a dynamic and fast-growing environment where professional development is prioritized. In this role, you will gain:
- Hands-on experience with state accounting systems, budgeting, and fiscal management
- Training in federal grant administration, including Uniform Guidance, compliance requirements, and specialized financial reporting
- Opportunities to attend numerous state and federal trainings and technical sessions specific to broadband and federal grant management
- Gain additional experience in select administrative activities
- Experience to support future career pathways in grants, finance, and organizational leadership
- Mentorship from experienced fiscal and administrative professionals
More information on the State of Alaska benefits package is available here: https://doa.alaska.gov/dop/workplace/benefits/
Where you will be working:
The Alaska Broadband Office is located on the 15th floor of the Atwood Building in Anchorage, with stunning views of downtown Anchorage, Mt. Susitna (Sleeping Lady), and Knik Arm. Dining, shopping, the Park Strip, Anchorage Museum, and the Atwood Concert Hall are just steps away. Covered parking at the Linny Pacillo parking garage is provided.
Essential functions of the position:- Assist in the development, tracking, and monitoring of state and federal broadband grant budgets, including projections, variance analysis, and financial reconciliations.
- Assist with preparing, reviewing, tracking, and analyzing of various federal financial reports and requests for information, reimbursement requests, program income tracking, and other compliance documentation required under federal grant rules (including 2 CFR 200).
- Monitor grantee and subrecipient activities to ensure compliance with state policy, federal guidance, match requirements, cost allowability, and reporting deadlines.
- Support internal financial processes, including procurement coordination, invoice tracking, financial account entries, and documentation management.
- Assist with development of internal workflows and compliance tools.
- Serve as the nonsupervisory lead and backup support to the Administrative Specialist for core administrative operations, including procurement, travel, payroll, and office management.
- Serve as the delegated authority for the Administrative Operations Manager when assigned, assisting with decision-making, administrative oversight, and workflow coordination.
- Participate in and complete specialized training in federal grant compliance, program management, and state financial systems.
- Maintain accurate records and documentation for audits, monitoring activities, and grant files in accordance with state and federal records retention requirements.
- Financial Management: Understands the organization's financial processes. Prepares, justifies, and administers the program budget. Oversees procurement and contracting to achieve desired results. Monitors expenditures and uses cost-benefit thinking to set priorities.
- Attention to Detail: Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
- Analytical Thinking/Problem Solving: uses a logical, systematic, sequential approach to address problems or opportunities or manage a situation by drawing on one’s knowledge and experience base and calling on other references and resources as necessary.
- Oral and Written Communication: Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral and written presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
- Self-Management: Sets well-defined and realistic personal goals; displays a high level of initiative, effort, and commitment towards completing assignments in a timely manner; works with minimal supervision; is motivated to achieve; demonstrates responsible behavior.
- Computer Skills: Uses computers, software applications, databases, and automated systems to accomplish work.
Minimum Qualifications
Desired Qualifications:
- Experience with financial management, budgeting, accounting, or grants.
- Experience working with state or federal programs.
Additional Required Information
Documents to submit to be considered for this position:
- Please submit a current and professional resume that includes all of your work history;
- A cover letter outlining how you meet the minimum qualifications for this position, address the above job responsibilities, and describe your knowledge, skills, and abilities as bulleted above. This cover letter will be used to determine which applicants will move on to the interview process; and
- Post-secondary transcripts, if used to meet the minimum qualifications.
Documents needed at the time of interview:
If you are selected to advance to the interview phase of the recruitment process, you must provide the following at the time of the interview.- Copies of your most recent evaluation(s);and
- Three (3) professional references who have had supervisory responsibility for you along with their daytime contact phone numbers.
Please submit all required items to naomi.johnston@alaska.gov
Special requirement of this position:
This position may require travel.
EEO statement:
The State of Alaska complies with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Individuals with disabilities, who require accommodation, auxiliary aides or services, or alternative communication formats, please call 1-800-587-0430 or (907) 465-4095 in Juneau or TTY: Alaska Relay 711 or 1-800-770-8973 or correspond with the Division of Personnel & Labor Relations at: P.O. Box 110201, Juneau, AK 99811-0201. The State of Alaska is an equal opportunity employer.Contact Information
Naomi Johnston, Administrative Operations Manager
Phone: (907) 306-0593
Email: naomi.johnston@alaska.gov