Grants Writer/Manager – City of Margate

CITY OF MARGATE

JOB POSTING, 2017 

JOB TITLE: GRANTS WRITER/MANAGER 

GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB

Under general supervision, develops, implements, conducts, and monitors the City’s grant program, coordinates and tracks special projects, including capital projects as directed, monitors and manages contracts, and assists with other projects and assignments as directed.  Reports to the Assistant City Manager.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Develops, implements, conducts, and administers a comprehensive grant program to support all grant program related operations, including but not limited to: research and investigation of available grant monies, preparation of grant documents, grant writing, grant administration, establishment of policies and procedures for the City with regard to grant programs.

Interprets, applies, and ensures compliance with guidelines of granting agents and with all applicable laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures; initiates any actions necessary to correct deviations.

Prepares, coordinates, monitors, and evaluates grant applications, awarded grants, and grant projects in progress to ensure obtaining desired results and meeting stated goals and objectives; assists in the preparation of City Commission agenda information for grant applications and awards as applicable.

Prepares forms, and develops and implements procedures, systems, and controls needed to ensure compliance with the requirements for respective grantor agencies, other authorization sources, internal City policies and programs, and external regulatory agents.

Determines project qualifications for funding; follows up on project details.

Develops funding applications to secure funding for various departmental and/or City projects/programs; prepares grant letters, grant applications, and related documentation in prescribed format as directed by grant outlines or instructions; develops grant proposals for new projects, ongoing projects, or emergency needs; takes photographs in support of grant proposals; prepares necessary documentation to substantiate funding requests.

Researches various sources to identify grant funding opportunities and to determine availability of grant funding for parks/recreational facilities, City departments, or special projects; reviews Internet web sites, newsletters, publications, and other sources; researches trends in various subject areas; researches available funding programs; secures and reviews funding source documents; researches specific goals, purposes, conditions, restrictions, and qualifications for eligibility of each grant opportunity; gathers cost estimates to develop proposed budgets; evaluates potential success of funding opportunities; determines or recommends whether to apply for various grant programs.

Prepares the annual budget for each grant project for presentation to the City Manager, ensuring that each grant project is presented in proper format.

Presents grant proposals to appropriate agencies, committees, officials, and/or other individuals; develops persuasive, compelling proposals designed to win competitions against proposals from other agencies; provides oral presentations, prospectus letters, or other information to influence decision-makers and to raise awareness and support for funding of a proposal; monitors status of grant applications and reports status to management.

Collects data from City departments for submittal of reimbursement requests from funding sources and monitors grant expenditures.  Monitors State and Federal systems to ensure receipt of full grant amounts.

Prepares and submits grant-related reimbursement requests and reporting to the appropriate agencies.

Prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, grant proposals, progress reports, budgets, grant reports, annual reports, agendas, press releases, location maps, presentations, charts, tables, graphs, or other documents.

Functions as the City’s representative in meetings with individuals from inside and outside the City, and prepares and makes presentations; provides information regarding grants and other special projects; serves as the City’s liaison with Federal, State and local grant contract managers and representatives.

Establishes and maintains a resource library of completed grants. Distributes information regarding training classes, workshops, publications, and other resources available from granting agencies.

Develops and implements a comprehensive grants compliance monitoring and reporting systems for ensuring compliance with grants regulations and scheduled reporting deadlines.

Provides grant-related assistance and information in an appropriate format to citizens on behalf of the City Manager’s office.

Prepares various complex statistical analyses of information, reports, and summaries as required for the City Manager, City Commission, other agencies, and the public.

Oversees implementation and administration of all CDBG, HOME, NSP and SHIP programs; works with the City’s local housing assistance plan for the SHIP program.

Oversees Broward County administration of grants program.

Oversees vendors paid with grant funds.

Attends meetings with the Broward HOME Consortium, Broward County Housing Finance and Community Redevelopment Division, HUD, and the Florida Housing Finance Corporation.

Reconciles grants programs from prior years.

Provides and conducts research and analyses and makes recommendations regarding policy formulations, operational planning and program evaluation.

Interprets Federal and State regulations as they pertain to City programs.

Maintains documentation of all expenditures and other information required for internal and State and Federal periodic audits.

Monitors and manages City contracts, tracking key deadlines and expiration dates; works with departments to ensure compliance with contract stipulations.

Assists departments in developing contract language and researching comparative contracts, in conjunction with the Purchasing Division.

Competently operates a variety of office equipment, programs, and functions common to the modern business office.

Effectively interacts and communicates with City staff of all levels, local, state, and federal elected officials, state personnel, federal personnel, business and community leaders, and the public.

ADDITIONAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Performs related duties as directed.

Performs Emergency Response duties as assigned.

 

MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

Must possess a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, or related field, supplemented by at least three (3) years’ progressively responsible experience in grant administration, grant writing, operational or management analysis, and/or related analytical experience.  Must be able to interpret Federal, State, local, corporate, and foundation grant guidelines pertaining to programs and projects. Must demonstrate excellent oral, written, communication, and organizational skills.  Must be able to handle multiple projects simultaneously, and work effectively with people from inside or outside the City.  Must possess a fundamental knowledge of and working experience in CDBG and SHIP programs.  Must possess and maintain a valid State of Florida driver’s license.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIRED

TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Physical Requirements: Must be physically able to operate a variety of automated office machines and equipment as stated above.  Must be able to exert up to five pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.  Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time.  Must be able to lift/carry weights from five to ten pounds.

Data Conception: Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural or composite characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people, or things.

Interpersonal Communication: Requires the ability to speak and/or signal people to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving assignments and/or directions from supervisors.

Language Ability: Requires the ability to read a variety of policy and procedure manuals, grant applications, reports, etc. Requires the ability to enter data into computer and prepare reports, correspondence, etc. with proper format, punctuation, spelling and grammar, using all parts of speech.  Must be able to speak with poise, voice control and confidence and to articulate information to others.

Intelligence: Requires the ability to apply principles of rational systems to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists; to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in oral, written, mathematical or schedule form; to make independent judgments in the absence of supervisor; to acquire knowledge of topics related to primary occupation.  Must have the ability to comprehend and interpret received information and the ability to comprehend and implement basic office machinery function.

Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions.  Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of technical or professional terminologies including computer, business communications, etc.

Numerical Aptitude: Must be able to add and subtract, total, multiply and divide, determine percentages and decimals, determine time and weight.

Form/Spatial Aptitude: Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape, and visually read various information.

Motor Coordination: Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using automated office and communications machinery; to operate motor vehicles.

Manual Dexterity: Requires the ability to utilize a variety of items including computer keyboards, office equipment, control knobs, switches, etc.  Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.

Color Discrimination: Does not require the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color.

Interpersonal Temperament: Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under minimal levels of stress when confronted with an emergency of tight deadlines.

Physical Communication: Requires the ability to talk and/or hear: (talking: expressing or exchanging information by means of spoken words; hearing: perceiving nature of sounds by ear).  Must be able to hear and understand communications through a telephone.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of laws, ordinances, standards and regulations pertaining to the specific duties and responsibilities of the position.

Knowledge of the organization of the City and of related agencies.

Ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply regulations, procedures and related information.

Knowledge of the tasks involved in preparing applications for, administering and monitoring grants for the City, including grants budget administration.

Knowledge of the tasks involved in tracking and reporting on special projects.

Knowledge of the computer and other technical terminology used within the department.

Skilled in applying a responsible attention to detail as necessary in preparing reports and correspondence.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of grant research, preparation and monitoring, and can apply the same to the securing of funds for City projects and programs.

Skilled in verbal, organizational, management, and human relations skills.

Skilled in the use of computers and other office machinery.

Ability to interpret, apply, and ensure compliance with guidelines of granting agents.

Ability to take the initiative to complete the duties of the position without the need of direct supervision.

Ability to use independent judgment in performing routine and non-routine tasks.

Knows how to perform duties in a courteous manner and with the utmost integrity in the best interest of the public.

Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of public and private groups as needed.

Ability to interpret policy and procedure manuals, reports, grant applications, and other materials pertaining to the responsibilities of the job.

Ability to work under stressful conditions as required.

Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize daily assignments and work activities.

Ability to offer assistance to fellow employees as necessary.

SALARY AND BENEFITS 

Competitive starting salary $58,542.  Excellent benefits.  The City of Margate is a participant in the Florida Retirement System and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

HOW TO APPLY

Employment applications are available in Human Resources or may be downloaded from our web site, www.margatefl.com.  Completed applications must be submitted to Human Resources, Margate City Hall, 5790 Margate Blvd., Margate not later than 6:00 PM.  This position is open until filled.

Date of posting: October 26, 2017.