Title: Criminal Justice Grant Program Specialist
State Role Title: Prog Admin Specialist II
Hiring Range: The starting salary range is 69,000 to 76,000.
Pay Band: 5
Agency: Dept of Criminal Justice Svcs
Location: Washington Building
Agency Website: www.dcjs.virginia.gov
Recruitment Type: General Public - G
VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES ADVERTISEMENT
ROLE TITLE: PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION SPECIALIST II
Working Title: Criminal Justice Grant Program Specialist
Pay Band: 5
Position #: 00367
The Department of Criminal Justice Services is seeking a collaborative and innovative team player to serve as a full-time Criminal Justice Grant Program Specialist in Richmond, Virginia. This position supports the Division of Public Safety Training and the Virginia Center for School and Campus Safety, monitoring the state funded Witness Protection Grant Program and other state funding to localities. This exciting opportunity allows you to assist law enforcement professionals and agencies meet their funding needs, to purchase much needed equipment or to establish innovative projects designed to reduce crime and violence. The position provides grantees with technical assistance and consultation regarding administration of grant awards.
Public service offers the opportunity to do important rewarding work while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. If you want to be part of an agency that cares about our constituents, rigorously advocates and promotes opportunities for all Virginians, we’d love to have you join us!
What you will do:
● Monitor state funded grant sub-awards to localities and other criminal justice agencies, by providing technical assistance and consultation regarding administration of grants.
● Assist with the development of grant funding opportunities, review submitted applications and provide training to grantees and other criminal justice professionals.
● Assist with the development of grant and program related resources, policies, and procedures.
● Assist with ensuring the agency remains in compliance with all required reporting related to grant funds.
Minimum Qualifications
● Working knowledge of principles of program planning and development.
● Working knowledge of budgeting and the evaluation and analysis of policy.
● Documented experience providing technical assistance to external stakeholders.
● Working knowledge of grant management principles, including applicable state and federal laws, regulations, and agency policies governing the administration of grants and subawards.
● Experience in monitoring and evaluating financial and programmatic reports, identifying discrepancies, and providing technical assistance to ensure compliance.
● Documented experience interpreting complex regulations and applying them consistently.
● Ability to adapt to changes in state and federal regulations and apply updated policies to ongoing programs.
● Ability to analyze and interpret laws, rules/regulations and policies and procedures.
● Ability to exercise independent judgment, answer complex questions, and refer unusual problems to higher levels.
● Performs complex technical duties, such as reviewing and prioritizing budgets and/or information under multiple programs.
● Considerable documented experience in preparing reports and making presentations to management, staff, and/or stakeholders.
● Experience working with Microsoft Office Suite to include but not limited to Word, Excel, Outlook, Internet, and e-mail software.
● Ability to think strategically and cross culturally, and independently implement new initiatives and projects.
● Ability to articulate, both orally and in written form, clear and concise program objectives and goals and summarize achievements of programs in reports and other documents as requested.
● Documented experience working as an active, contributing team member, as well as an independent and self-motivated employee.
● Demonstrated ability to meet critical deadlines, handle multiple assignments, changing priorities, and ensure timeliness and quality of completed assignments.
Additional Considerations
● Demonstrated experience with the functions and structures of law enforcement agencies and Commonwealth's Attorney's Offices.
● Experience in managing grant program(s) including experience with the grant application process, reviewing, monitoring, and providing technical assistance related to grants.
● Demonstrated ability to interpret policy and procedures, grant guidelines and contracts.
● Demonstrated experience in statewide government program monitoring; standard accounting procedures.
● Working knowledge of policies and procedures of State Government.
● Documented experience working with or for law enforcement agencies, criminal justice partners, and/or community stakeholders.
● Working knowledge of the functions and structures of the criminal justice system and public school divisions.
● Experience performing risk assessments on programmatic performance, accountability, and compliance.
Special Instructions
Interview candidates may be required to demonstrate the skills and abilities necessary for satisfactory performance of work. The candidate selected for the position must successfully complete a criminal background investigation and complete and submit a Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) which will be entered into the Federal E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization. The individual may also be responsible for submitting an annual Statement of Personal Economic Interest. In addition, the selected candidate who begins original employment or re-employment in this position must serve a 12-month probationary period effective from the date of employment. The starting salary range is 69,000 to 76,000 plus the state’s benefits package.
Applications for this position are only accepted electronically through the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Electronic Recruitment System at https://www.jobs.virginia.gov/home. All applications should be submitted by 11:55 pm on June 16, 2026. The application and supplemental questions must be completed in a comprehensive manner and reference any pertinent knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as any previous experience that relates to the position. Fax, email, or mail applications will not be accepted. Résumés and cover letters may be attached to the online application.
The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Prior to the next step in the recruiting process, we welcome you to inform us confidentially if you may require any accommodations in order to participate fully in our recruitment experience. Contact us at (804) 225-4399 to notify us of any needs related to completing the job application. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other National Service Alumni are encouraged to apply. The Department also encourages and invites veterans to apply.
You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to your account at https://www.jobs.virginia.gov/home for the status of your application and this position.
Contact Information
Name: Nicole Harris
Phone: (804) 786-9469
Email: nicole.harris@dcjs.virginia.gov
In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.
Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.