Job Details for 1354 - Grants and Research Coordinator

FLSA STATUS: Exempt
GRADE: 313

POSITION SUMMARY
Under direction; performs work of moderate difficulty coordinating the grant research, application and acquisition process for DuPage County Government departments and Elected Officials; help support the County’s Legislative Committee as it relates to grants and assist in the research of public policy issues; supports the Committee initiatives as assigned; performs related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS
An employee in this class is involved in the coordination of grant application activities across County departments in order to maximize the grant awards received by DuPage County. Work requires the ability to effectively communicate with other County departments and the County Board Office in order to successfully facilitate the process of researching and applying for grants.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only, and is not a comprehensive listing of all the duties and responsibilities performed by positions in this class.

• Researches and identifies available and suitable sources of grant funding at the state and national level, as well as within the private sector, with non-profit agencies, foundations, etc.
• Provides guidance and shares knowledge with grant writing staff
• Acts as a project lead developing project timelines, assigning tasks, explaining and coaching staff, and monitoring progress
• Recommends hires and promotions, direct and evaluates employment decisions for all assigned positions
• Coordinates grant application activities and facilitates cooperation between the Finance Department and the department applying for funding
• Reviews and interprets grant requirements
• Assists departments with meeting compliance requirements
• Creates systems and procedures for tracking grant activities
• Work with County staff to assist in the development of a grant strategy at both the state and federal level
• Works with the County Board Office and County staff to survey areas of departmental grant funding needs and priorities
• Facilitates the grant review process with appropriate committees
• Develops and maintains positive working relationships with staff from other County departments
• Serves as a resource for other County departments regarding the grant application process
• Coordinates the flow of information through committees as necessary
• Works closely with Finance Department staff to ensure grant accuracy and compliance
• Monitors grant activities throughout County departments to reduce duplication of efforts
• Develops working relationships with external groups and organizations in order to further explore alternative sources of funding
• Keeps current with grant and alternative funding trends and resources
• Help support the County’s Legislative & Governmental Affairs Committee as it relates to grants
• Coordinate a variety of research projects, compile data for analysis, and assist with the development of policies and programs
• Serves as a staff liaison to designated Committees; works with department heads and elected officials on special initiatives relating to topics under the purview of the committee and setting priorities for action
• Measures productivity and outcomes from special initiatives
• Performs analyses, research, and economic/financial studies as required
• Makes presentations to groups internally and externally on special Committee initiatives
• Provide support to the County Board Chairman and County Board Members with program planning, research, and issue development
• Maintains regular attendance and punctuality

NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Adjusts work assignments and schedules in the event of an emergency to participate in emergency preparedness, response, and recovery activities as assigned.
• Depending on assignment may maintain required emergency management training, licensure and/or certifications.
• Performs related duties as required or assigned within job classification.

QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and /or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Knowledge of:
• Federal and state grants availability, audit requirements, principle and procedures of grants, project development and administration
• Principles and practices of public administration and of local government structure and services
• Grant sources, grant application procedures, proposal requirements and reporting requirements
• Modern principles and practices of Governmental budgeting and grants administration
• Performance measurement
• Research and statistical methods
• Program/project management methods
• Report writing techniques
• Current office practices, procedures and equipment
• County policies and procedures
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, codes, and/or statutes
• Management and leadership principles

Skill in:
• Researching available sources of grant funding
• Tracking and coordinating grant activities within multiple departments
• Verbal and/or written communications
• Interpreting and explaining grant requirements
• Using computer hardware and software including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, email, etc
• Applying an acquired knowledge of procedures, rules, regulations and services applicable to the assigned office
• Planning, scheduling and supervising the work of others

Ability to:
• Develop, evaluate, recommend, and implement processes and procedures
• Speak in public
• Analyze a variety of data and/or information and make recommendations based on findings
• Conduct research
• Interpret and apply program/project requirements
• Work independently with minimal supervision
• Identify problems and issues, recommend solutions and implement corrective actions
• Interpret direction, instruction, criteria, laws and regulations, determines appropriate courses of action, and presents solutions to resolve issues
• Manage projects and multiple priorities simultaneously
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with department and division staff, other departments and others, such as vendors
• Communicate and use interpersonal skills to interact with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc. to sufficiently exchange or convey information and to receive work direction
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations
• Convey excellent oral and written communication
• Work effectively under stress
• Maintain confidentiality
• Monitor and evaluate employees
• Prioritize and assign work
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals
• Plan, organize, manage and evaluate the work of the division to ensure efficient, timely and cost-effective services
• Plan, analyze, and evaluate programs and services, operational needs, and fiscal constraints
• Provide leadership to effectively resolve issues

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Exercises supervision of personnel in related area of responsibility.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
Completion of a Bachelors degree in Public or Business Administration and three (3) years of experience in grant coordination and/or acquisition and related responsibilities; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Position is typically office or administrative work and is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
None.