Grants Administrator

LIVING DESERT DBA THE LIVING DESERT•Palm Desert, CA

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Grants Administrator reports to the Senior Grants and Government Programs Officer and supports the full lifecycle of The Living Desert’s (TLD) grants, including research, application, compliance, reporting, and renewal, in accordance with grant policies and procedures. The Grants Administrator provides operational support for the grant program, assisting with research, proposal drafting, reporting coordination, compliance tracking, and grant documentation under the direction of the Senior Grants and Government Programs Officer.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Nonprofit Management, Finance, Public Administration, or related field
Two to four years of experience in grant administration or grant accounting
Strong knowledge of grant compliance and reporting requirements.
Experience preparing grant budgets and reviewing expenses for allowability and proper coding.
Possess excellent writing and computer skills (Microsoft Office Word, PowerPoint, and Excel), and database management skills.
Requires an excellent command of the English language with the ability to successfully write, edit, and proofread proposals, correspondence, narrative, and financial reports, and other pertinent documents.
Has excellent verbal communication and personal relations skills, over the phone and in person.
Must hold a valid California driver's license and be insurable on The Living Desert’s automobile insurance policy.

Nice To Haves

Detail-oriented with strong time management skills.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively with multiple departments
Strong financial acumen for budget preparation, reconciliation, and review.
Ability to interpret and apply funder requirements, restrictions, and compliance guidelines.
Succinct style of writing required for grant writing; database experience (Donor Perfect preferred).
Demonstrated professionalism and ability to effectively represent The Living Desert with funders, elected officials, government agencies, and community stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Identify potential grant opportunities that align with organizational needs across all departments.
Maintain a current calendar of prospects, deadlines, and application requirements.
Work with department staff to collect data, budgets, and required documentation for grant applications.
Draft grant proposal narratives and supporting materials under the direction of the Senior Grants and Government Programs Officer, and revise proposal drafts in response to feedback and ensure all submissions comply with funder guidelines and organizational standards.
Maintain a centralized tracking system for all active and pending grants, including deadlines, restrictions, deliverables, and reporting schedules under the direction of the Senior Grants and Government Programs Officer.
Review grant-related expenses for allowability and proper coding (fund, project/grant, department, and restrictions).
Ensure compliance with all grant terms, internal controls, and audit requirements.
Maintain complete and organized documentation for each grant throughout its lifecycle.
Prepare financial sections of interim and final grant reports and reconcile results to the general ledger.
Monitor spending against approved budgets and alert the Controller and program leads to variances or issues.
Coordinate with AP, Payroll, and department managers to confirm proper documentation and allocation of expenses.
Collect program metrics, outcomes, and other data needed for required reports. Draft and submit narrative progress reports, ensuring alignment with financial results.
Serve as the main point of contact for funders regarding reporting, updates, questions, and documentation needs. Support relationship-building efforts by providing timely and accurate information to funders.
Research foundation priorities, program officers, and funding trends to identify strategic opportunities for The Living Desert.
Support relationship cultivation by coordinating meetings, preparing briefing materials, maintaining contact records, and assisting with funder communications, reporting updates, and stewardship activities under the direction of the Senior Grants and Government Programs Officer.
Work closely with Conservation, Education, Animal Care, Marketing, Development, and other departments involved in grant activity. Provide guidance and support to staff on grant requirements, allowable costs, and documentation needs.
Maintain and update the organization’s centralized grant calendar and tracking system, ensuring deadlines, reporting schedules, and deliverables are visible and up to date.
Contributes to desert conservation through reduction of waste, water, and energy use, and inspires guests and team members to take conservation actions.
Other duties as assigned.