Grants Manager - Environmental Sustainability

Exempt; full-time; 40 hours per week; Monday – Friday; 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.; full-benefits  

This professional and managerial position in the Division of Energy and Environment (DEE) in the Office of the County Executive is responsible for seeking grant opportunities, providing fiscal services, writing, coordinating, and monitoring submissions of grant applications and required periodic reports for Federal, State, local organizations.   Supervision is received from the Director, Division of Energy and Environment.

• 11 days of Vacation leave with increase after 2 years of employment
• 15 days of Sick leave with unlimited annual carryover
• 11 paid holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays
• Day 1 coverage of comprehensive Medical Insurance Plan options to include generous County Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution (if enrolled in the high-deductible plan). This is part of a full range of benefits including Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending
• 100% County paid 2x annual salary Group Term Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) benefit
• County and Employee funded Defined Benefit Pension Plan
  • Vesting after 5 years of service
  • Additional service credit for eligible previous public service, military service, etc.
• Work/Life balance programs include: Employee Assistance Program and Employee Wellness Program
• Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Other employee-paid benefits such as Deferred Compensation Plan, Legal Resources, Supplemental Life Insurance, Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Lifetime Benefit with Long Term Care plan.
• Coming soon-early 2025: Employee Health Center with no or low cost primary and urgent care

• Directly write or provide technical assistance in writing and submitting Federal, State, local and other grant applications, to include federal and state Electric Vehicle infrastructure programs, Federal Emergency Management Agency Programs, Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust fund, and other grants as applicable
• Utilize a standardized system to process, track, report, and document financial transactions for grants
• Prepare and monitor Division grant budgets
• Review the need for budget adjustments and make recommendations to the Director
• Provide fiscal support to grant programs to analyze costs and track expenses for both personnel and supplies 
• Offer oversight and provide assistance to grant programs
• Conduct research on available government and private foundation grants for Climate, Energy and Environment
• Provide guidance on grant writing and compliance best practice, particularly for federal grants
• Monitor awarded grants to ensure compliance with grant and legal requirements
• Monitor and prepare periodic reports required by grantor (e.g. activity, financial) for approval by the Director
• Coordinate with County Finance Division, County Attorney's Office, and other officials as necessary for grant management and oversight
• Prepare concurrence packages for routing and approval
• Facilitate cooperative efforts with other agencies and community organizations, and serve as liaison between Frederick County DEE and other Federal, State and local entities regarding grants
• Assist in the procurement of outside technical assistance for reviewing and/or preparing grants when appropriate
• Serve as the principal subject matter expert for DEE concerning grants and related contract awards, including internal or external audits
• Monitor implementation of grant funded projects ensuring compliance with legal, fiscal and funder requirements
• Analyze and evaluate use of grant funds, making recommendations for modifications as appropriate
• Implement and maintain tracking of grant activities for audit, budget and statistical purposes
• Attend inter- and intra-agency meetings regarding grants
• Visit project sites and attend off-site meetings with grantors as needed 
• Establish and maintain a resource library of grant information
• Perform other related duties as required

The qualifications/requirements, knowledge/skills/abilities and physical requirements or working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. 

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Public Administration, Management, or a related field
• Minimum 5 years of mid-level professional financial work experience, that must include a background in grant writing and financial reporting
• Possession of a valid automobile operator's license
• NOTE: Additional years of closely related work experience may substitute for a portion of the education requirement

KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILITIES:

• Ability to maintain County Authorized Driver privileges
• Advanced knowledge of accounting principles, laws, and regulations associated with grants
• Strong mathematical and clerical skills including the ability to accurately compile and verify data, and to prepare and maintain files, records, forms, spreadsheets, etc.
• Ability to understand budget concepts, familiarity with basic financial reporting 
• Ability to prioritize work and complete assigned duties with minimal supervision
• Discretion and good judgment in dealing with financial matters and other confidential/sensitive information
• Strong and effective spoken and written (English) communication skills including the ability to write reports, memos, policies, and procedures, etc. that are clear, concise, accurate and complete, using proper grammar and format
• Strong and effective spoken and written communication skills, including the ability to record information accurately and prepare technical reports
• Ability to effectively organize work, determine priorities (and reassess as needed), establish and monitor timelines, manage multiple projects simultaneously and complete assigned duties with minimal supervision
• Ability to effectively access and utilize computerized systems and equipment to complete assigned duties
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, professional peers, volunteer personnel and the general public, as well as ability to effectively work as a team member and on individual assignments

PREFERENCE MAY BE GIVEN FOR:

• Experience with Electric Vehicle & Infrastructure, Building Energy, Clean Energy, Stormwater, or Emergency Management Agency Grants 
• Experience with INFOR financial system
• Experience reading and evaluating grant opportunities and making recommendations on what grants are best suited to apply for based on requirements, funding, and overall agency strategy
• Experience managing grant awards

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORKING CONDITIONS:

• While working in this position, the employee is required to constantly sit and walk; occasionally drive and rarely lift up to 20 pounds and climb (ascend/descend)
• While working in this position, the employee is required to constantly work indoors; occasionally work outdoors; and rarely walk on uneven ground, work in hot temperatures above 100 degrees, cold temperatures below 32 degrees, work in dirty and dusty environments and work near machinery

• Ability to provide own transportation to meetings, etc.
• Available for varied working hours to accommodate meetings, office staffing needs, etc.

 KIND OF EXAMINATION (may include):

1. An evaluation of training and experience
2. One or more interviews