Grant Financial Specialist

Tri-County Council for the LESMD•Salisbury, MD

7d•$26 - $29•Onsite

About The Position

The Lower Shore Workforce Alliance (LSWA) envisions a community where job seekers, educational and training institutions, businesses, and non-profit institutions come together to strengthen workforce readiness programs and employ residents at livable wages in Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester (which includes Ocean City, MD) Counties. LSWA-funded programs support workforce development initiatives including Workforce Innovative Opportunity Act (WIOA) programmatic funding. Residents of the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland benefit from the state and federal grant-funded investment in training and jobs for the short and long term. LSWA targets historically underserved populations and areas, communities of color, women, and other groups facing labor market barriers. As we enter the post-pandemic era, funds for training initiatives, on-the-job training, and supportive services are being made available to meet the multi-industry demand for workers in this region. The Lower Shore Workforce Alliance (LSWA) Grants Financial Specialist manages the financial administration of multiple federal, state, and private grants. This role owns grant budgeting, expenditure tracking, financial reporting, and fiscal compliance across all funded programs. The Grants Financial Specialist works directly with the LSWA Director and coordinates closely with the Department of Finance to ensure grant funds are allocated, monitored, and reconciled in accordance with funder requirements and applicable federal and state regulations. The Grants Financial Specialist prepares and submits financial reports (monthly, quarterly, annual, and final) to funding agencies, maintains audit-ready financial records, monitors grant spending against approved budgets, and supports the development of budgets for new and renewing grant proposals. This position requires strong financial acumen, attention to regulatory detail, and the ability to translate complex funding rules into accurate, compliant financial practice.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field, and four (4) years of progressively responsible financial experience, of which at least one (1) year involved grant budgeting, expenditures, or procurement — preferably in a government, non-profit or post-secondary setting.
Or a Master's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field, and three (3) years of progressively responsible financial or grants-management experience, of which at least one (1) year involved grant budgeting, expenditures, or procurement — preferably in a government, non-profit or post-secondary setting.
Demonstrated experience managing budgets for federal, state, or privately funded grants.
Working knowledge of Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) and other applicable grant compliance frameworks.
Strong knowledge of accounting and budgeting principles and financial reporting standards for grant-funded programs.
Proficiency with financial and spreadsheet software relevant to the field (e.g., QuickBooks Profit & Loss financial systems, Microsoft Excel).
Ability to manipulate, analyze, and interpret complex statistical and financial information.
Ability to develop and manage effective budget tracking and monitoring systems.
Ability to manage multiple grant budgets and competing financial deadlines with clarity and efficiency.
Ability to work independently and respond calmly to complex or urgent fiscal issues.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to explain financial data to non-financial stakeholders.
Ability to work effectively with program staff, LSWA leadership, and the Department of Finance
Attendance at Quarterly Finance meetings and monthly LSWA staff meetings is required, held at the Lower Shore Workforce Alliance–American Job Center in Salisbury, MD
Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, proportions and percentages.
Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra.
Ability to solve practical problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
Expert knowledge of major office computer and spreadsheet software related to the field of work (Quickbooks – Profit and Loss Financial Systems, Microsoft Excel)
Working knowledge of the State of Maryland and federal regulations (OMB, 2CFR200, Edgar)

Responsibilities

Develop, monitor, and reconcile budgets for multiple concurrent federal, state, and private grants.
Track grant expenditures against approved line-item budgets and flag variances for the LSWA Director.
Prepare and submit monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports to funding agencies in the required formats.
Ensure grant spending complies with funder regulations, including 2 CFR 200 (Uniform Guidance) and applicable state/local fiscal requirements.
Process and code grant-related invoices, drawdowns, and reimbursement requests in coordination with the Department of Finance.
Maintain organized, audit-ready financial documentation for all active and closed-out grants.
Support annual single audits and funder monitoring visits by preparing financial schedules and responding to auditor requests.
Reconcile grant ledgers against the general ledger and resolve discrepancies in a timely manner.
Manage indirect cost allocations, cost-sharing/match requirements, and time-and-effort reporting.
Assist in developing budgets and budget narratives for new and renewal grant proposals.
Monitor grant balances and spend-down timelines to minimize the risk of lapsed or unspent funds.
Maintain effective tracking and monitoring systems (e.g., budget-to-actual dashboards) using spreadsheet and accounting software.
Other Job Duties as assigned.