Grant Administrator

King County•Seattle - Regional area, WA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

In addition to the current opening, this recruitment may be used to establish a pool of qualified candidates to fill future Grant Administrator career services vacancies within the Department of Natural Resources and Parks over the next 12-months. Are you a grant administration professional eager to apply your expertise to run a program managing $35 million a year for flood risk reduction, stormwater management, salmon recovery, and habitat restoration? If so, look no further than the Water and Land Resources Division (WLRD)! We are seeking a high-performing Grant Administrator professional that will help advance the innovative and impactful work people and organizations are doing to protect the environment and the people of King County. You will be part of a team of dedicated professionals who support one another and share a mission to protect lives and property through integrated floodplain management. The Grant Administrator oversees the Steve Bleifuhs Memorial Flood Reduction grants and Subregional Opportunity Fund (SROF) grants from application to close out and manages the Cooperative Watershed Management (CWM) grants after they are awarded. The position exercises a high degree of autonomy and is the face of the grant program to applicants and awardees. Through the grant process, the Grant Administrator learns about the great flood risk reduction, salmon recovery, and habitat restoration work underway around the county and contributes to the success of projects and programs by ensuring the smooth functioning of this vital funding source. This job will bring out your organizational skills, patience and humor in managing a portfolio of over 200 active grants with varying requirements, deadlines, and project types. WLRD, in its role as service provider to the King County Flood Control District, administers the Steve Bleifuhs Memorial Flood Reduction grants, the CWM grants, and the SROF. Combined, these programs award about $35 million annually. This position follows a hybrid work model, blending remote and in-person work. The River and Floodplain Management Section (RFMS) of WLRD is a nationwide leader in integrated floodplain management, development of innovative flood risk reduction strategies, and improved river and environmental conditions and solutions across King County’s six major river systems (White, Green, Cedar, Sammamish, Snoqualmie, Skykomish) as well other tributaries and floodplains. RFMS leads a diverse work program to reduce flood risks to the residents of King County in a manner that restores river and floodplain processes, considers equitable outcomes and future conditions related to climate change, and provides a collaborative and engaged professional environment where RFMS staff can grow and thrive. This position will play an integral role in the Section’s success by overseeing grants that ensure the long-term success of multi-benefit and equitable flood risk reduction, floodplain and habitat restoration projects. The Water and Land Resources Division (WLRD) is at the forefront of King County’s efforts to protect and restore clean water and healthy habitat and strengthen the resilience of communities, environment, and infrastructure in the face of climate change. We are a dedicated workforce of more than 450 supported by an annual budget of ~$280 million. WLRD has a strong track record of developing innovative strategies to protect working farms and forests, restore habitat, improve water quality, and provide county residents with equitable access to green space. We house the Land Conservation Initiative, which aims to preserve our last, most important lands. Our forestry and agricultural programs help individuals protect their lands and support local food production. We house four salmon recovery forums where we collaborate with scores of partners to plan, design, and build habitat projects. We partner with regional jurisdictions to help residents and businesses reduce the threats posed by production, use, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials. We are the primary service provider to the King County Flood Control District, contributing to flood preparedness and constructing and maintaining facilities that restore rivers and reduce risk. Finally, we provide regional science and laboratory services to an array of customers, maintaining high-quality data sets used to assess water quality and habitat trends, and provide Best Available Science to inform decision making. In two words, we are a watershed utility. King County, named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is a diverse and vibrant community that represents cultures from around the world. Our True North is to create a welcoming community where everyone can thrive. We prioritize equity, racial and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. As a Grant Administrator, you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity . for a rewarding career at the Water and Land Resource Division of King County Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP). Join our talented workforce in protecting and restoring the natural environment and promoting more resilient, sustainable, and equitable communities. Enjoy training, comprehensive benefits, and growth opportunities.

Requirements

Proven experience in successful grant management, including familiarity with all aspects of a grant program and knowledge of grant management principles and practices.
Demonstrated experience managing projects, including project scoping, project scheduling, and developing and tracking project budgets.
Demonstrated experience managing all financial aspects of grant programs, including approving and tracking grant budgets, authorizing reimbursement requests, and ensuring adequate documentation of grant expenses.
Strong writing skills and ability to summarize programs and provide briefing documents for leadership and elected officials.
Ability to work independently and manage a complex portfolio of grants while navigating the policies, procedures, and culture of a large organization to move grant programs forward.
A customer service approach and experience working with a diverse population of grant recipients.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated experience with Foundant or similar online grant management platform.
Demonstrated experience in a natural science field related to salmon recovery, habitat restoration, natural resource management, flood risk reduction, and/or stormwater management.
Demonstrated understanding of and experience working in situations requiring cross-cultural sensitivity and centering racial equity and social justice principles, and environmental justice.

Responsibilities

Administer the grant program: Lead and implement planning, development and coordination of programs, policies, systems, criteria, and procedures for managing and disbursing grants and contracts.
Serve as a trusted resource for everyone involved in the grant program, including members of the public, applicants, County technical staff, and leadership and elected officials.
Drive the annual grant cycle to ensure timely decisions and award distributions.
Manage the grant application, review, and award processes: Assist applicants to provide complete applications on time and monitor applications as they are prepared and submitted in the online grant platform.
Provide technical analysis for grants, including review of project applications, budgets, scopes of work, project schedules, and product deliverables to verify they meet grant program criteria and contract requirements.
Recruit and coordinate technical review panels and coordinate selection committees comprised of elected and appointed officials.
Administer awards: Work with awardees to sign contracts, meet grant requirements, solve problems that arise, and resolve disputes.
Oversee online grant management platform.
Coordinate with finance staff to ensure timely payment of submitted invoices.