Program Manager, Grants Management - (26-FAB-300006-141)

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties, locations, and responsibilities performed by incumbent(s) in this job. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties in this description, and incumbent(s) may be required to perform work-related tasks other than those specifically listed in this description. This job description is not a “contract” between the employee and the Authority. The job duties and essential functions may be changed at the discretion of the General Manager.

General

Who We Are & What We Do:

At DC Water, we provide more than 700,000 District of Columbia residents and 24.6 million annual visitors with essential water, wastewater, and stormwater services. DC Water also provides wholesale wastewater treatment services for 1.8 million people in Montgomery and Prince George's counties in Maryland, and Fairfax and Loudoun counties in Virginia. We aspire to be known for superior service, ingenuity, and stewardship to advance the health and well-being of our diverse workforce and communities. To achieve this vision, we commit to our shared mission every day—exceeding expectations by providing high-quality water services in a safe, environmentally friendly, and efficient manner.

Role Description:

The Program Manager, Grants Management is responsible for comprehensive grants management program, including grant research, funding strategy, application development, financial administration, compliance monitoring, reimbursement, reporting, and grant closeout. This position manages the full grant lifecycle—from identifying funding opportunities and coordinating competitive grant applications through post-award financial management and audit compliance. Working closely with engineering, operations, finance, procurement, and external grant consultants as needed, the Program Manager ensures the Authority maximizes available grant funding while maintaining compliance with all federal, state, and local funding requirements.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Research and monitor federal, state, regional, and local grant opportunities that align with the Authority’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP), strategic initiatives, resilience planning, environmental compliance, and infrastructure needs.

• Coordinate with Engineering, Operations, Finance, Executive Leadership, and Project Managers to identify projects eligible for grant funding and develop long-term grant funding strategies.

• Lead the preparation, coordination, and submission of competitive grant applications through Grants.gov and other federal, state, and regional grant portals.

• Develop grant application budgets, financial narratives, cost estimates, matching fund calculations, benefit-cost analyses, and supporting financial documentation.

• Coordinate the preparation of complete application packages, including technical narratives, financial schedules, certifications, resolutions, supporting documentation, and required attachments.

• Serve as the organization's primary administrator for federal grant systems, including Grants.gov, SAM.gov, and ASAP (Automated Standard Application for Payments), ensuring registrations, authorizations, banking information, and organizational profiles remain current and compliant.

• Maintain all organizational federal grant registrations, renewals, and user access permissions to ensure uninterrupted eligibility for federal funding.

• Coordinate and oversee grant application timelines to ensure all submission deadlines and agency requirements are met.

• Work collaboratively with external grant consultants, engineering consultants, and technical writers to prepare competitive grant applications and maximize funding opportunities.

• Review grant solicitations, Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs), funding announcements, and agency guidance to determine eligibility, compliance requirements, and application strategies.

• Provide leadership with recommendations regarding grant pursuits, funding opportunities, project prioritization, and financial impacts.

• Develop and maintain a centralized grants management calendar tracking application deadlines, reporting requirements, reimbursement schedules, compliance milestones, and grant closeout activities.

• Establish standardized grant application templates, financial worksheets, compliance checklists, and internal procedures to improve efficiency and consistency.

• Monitor legislative appropriations, Congressionally Directed Spending opportunities, and emerging federal infrastructure funding programs for potential Authority projects.

• Coordinate pre-award and post-award activities to ensure seamless transition from grant application through project implementation, reimbursement, monitoring, and closeout.

• Serve as the primary liaison with federal and state funding agencies regarding grant applications, award negotiations, financial reporting, reimbursement requests, compliance issues, and grant amendments.

• Prepares various grant-related status reports for executive management and the board of directors.

• Performs various cost recovery and billing activities for operating and capital costs incurred on joint use multi-jurisdictional user facilities (MJUFs) in accordance with the Inter-Municipal Agreements (IMA).

• Performs other ad hoc cost recovery, billing, and grant management functions as directed.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Assist in the evaluation of the progress of the unit towards meeting goals and adjust in objectives, work plans, schedules and commitments of resources. Monitors and supervises external consultants and contractors as needed.

Key Working Relationships: The Program Manager, Grants Management plays a pivotal role in centralizing and streamlining the grants management function at DC Water while collaborating with various departments and external agencies and stakeholders. This position requires a high degree of independence and expertise in grants management.

Skills & Qualifications:

The qualifications listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and ability necessary for an individual to perform each essential responsibility satisfactorily. Reasonable amounts of training are provided.

Required Skills & Qualifications

Required Experience:

Five (5) years of progressive grants management experience.

Thorough knowledge of federal grant regulations, including Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200)

Experience of local, state, and federal funding sources and the ability to locate potential sources for funding.

Experience of grant funding policies and procedures and applicable local, state, and federal regulations.

Experience in grant writing and, Grants.Gov submission, and ASAP.Gov cash management processes.

Ability to collaborate effectively with engineers, project managers, procurement staff, auditors, and funding agencies.

Minimum Education Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, finance, economics or similar fields from an accredited university or college.

Required Skills:

Strong analytical, planning, and organization skills.

Excellent attention to detail.

Excellent project management skills and ability to prioritize work and resources.

Advanced data analysis skills.

Experienced in grants evaluation process and financial impact.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Ability to stay current on Grants policies and procedures to ensure compliance with local, state and federal funding sources.

Required Licenses & Certifications:

N/A

Physical Requirements:

General office conditions

Preferred Skills & Qualifications

Preferred Experience:

Experience in grants life cycle management, compliance reviews, financial reporting, and cost recovery principles and procedures.

Preferred Education Requirements:

Grants Management Certification is a plus.

Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) or equivalent certification is a plus

Preferred Skills:

Knowledge of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Grants Management Software and related tools.

*The work environment characteristics described in the physical requirements section of the required skills & qualifications table 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 responsibilities.

Your Experience at DC Water :

At DC Water, our people make us an industry leader. Join a group of thinkers, innovators, and problem solvers focused on protecting life’s most precious resource in the nation’s capital.

• Take pride in your work. We provide an essential service and do work that matters. A career at DC Water is an exciting opportunity to help improve the environment and make a lasting difference for the community.

• Connect to a strong culture. Everything we do is grounded in our shared values—accountability, trust, teamwork, customer focus, safety, and well-being.

• Be your true self. We are an inclusive organization that embraces diversity, and we recognize and celebrate employees’ individuality and unique contributions.

• Build your skills and career path. We are committed to developing a future-ready workforce by helping our employees develop skills for the jobs of tomorrow.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V.

We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing.

The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination against “qualified individuals with disabilities.”

If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to

perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please

email View email address on aiapply.co.