CPW GRANTS SPECIALIST IV / Grants Specialist (Denver, CO)

Colorado Parks And Wildlife

Our Mission is to perpetuate the wildlife resources of the state, to provide a quality state parks system, and to provide enjoyable and sustainable outdoor recreation opportunities that educate and inspire current and future generations to serve as active stewards of Colorado's natural resources.

Description Of Job

The primary purpose of this position is to seek out new grants, develop the branch's grant funding strategy, coordinate grant applications, and administer new grant awards for large-scale habitat projects, habitat corridors, wildlife crossings, and related research and on-the-ground project support. The position will seek to improve the Division's grant processes and resources generally and will support both grant seeking and external grant programs. Specific duties include but are not limited to:

EXPAND CPW'S GRANT BASE

• Attending CPW Branch meetings and other related meetings to gain insight regarding CPW staff funding needs and interests, as well as possible new grant opportunities.
• Searching for and identifying new federal and non-federal grant funding opportunities using various online tools, databases, and other resources.
• Analyzing potential opportunities to assess CPW eligibility by reviewing and analyzing proposed grant programs and determining the pros and cons of program requirements.
• Analyzing the opportunities in the context of CPW's project needs, operations, and policies to confirm criteria are allowable.
• Developing resources and strategies to communicate details about new opportunities to CPW staff.

SUPPORT GRANT APPLICATIONS AND THE PROGRAM'S GRANT STRATEGY

• Conducting pre-proposal meetings with relevant staff and the grantor contact, if necessary, to ensure the grantor's interest in the proposed CPW project and the timely and accurate preparation of each submitted grant proposal.
• Providing grant application preparation support to coordinate, advise, and assist project leaders in developing, preparing, and submitting successful grant applications.
• Ensuring that applications meet the grant program requirements and are structured to accomplish program goals without overcommitting CPW resources.

INTEGRATION OF GRANT FUNDING INTO THE BRANCH'S PLANNING

• Considering the current budgetary constraints and whether the grant's match requirements can be accomplished within existing funding, if additional funding will need to be approved, or if the grant does not fit into budgetary priorities and should not be pursued.
• Guiding program staff regarding grant applications and financial arrangements with partners based on knowledge of fiscal rules, grant program requirements, grant best practices, and CPW's budget principles.
• Advising CPW staff regarding possible new broad federal funding agreements (e.g., Good Neighbor Agreements) to allow more streamlined availability of new grant funding for CPW.
• Pursuing and implementing grant opportunities to leverage funding while maintaining a manageable administrative burden and program goals.

MANAGE AND ADMINISTER AWARDED GRANTS

• Review, track, and reconcile grant financial information in coordination with budget staff, accounting staff, capital development staff, program managers, and others during the grant period.
• Analyze grant program details to ensure the proper use of new grant award funds within CPW and to ensure the effective use of grant funds to grantors.
• Work with CPW staff to accurately use grant funds, manage grant projects, and provide performance reports.

CPW GRANT POLICY & PROCEDURES DEVELOPMENT

• Develop and evaluate Grant Unit policies and procedures for CPW. Provide training and guidance to CPW staff, explicitly focusing on the Terrestrial Branch.
• Provide support and oversight to project leaders to ensure compliance with federal grant program statutes, specific grantor requirements, state fiscal requirements, environmental statutes (including the National Environmental Policy Act, NEPA), and financial management practices.
• Develop, review, and update website materials available to CPW staff through the Grants Unit website.
• Review and provide input on proposed policies and procedures that impact grant management at CPW, including federal rules and regulations; Office of the State Controller policies, procedures, and fiscal rules; departmental policies; and CPW Administrative Directives.

MANAGE EXTERNAL GRANTS AND OTHER GRANT ADMINISTRATION DUTIES

• Take on various external grant management responsibilities from fully running an external grant program (or programs) to providing support to other grant managers -- as appropriate or needed (e.g., the Born to be Wild License Plate grant program, the Wetlands Partnership, and the Human-Bear Conflict grant programs).
• Provide other necessary support for Grants Unit activities, including support for other federal and nonfederal grant administration activities and supporting the grants management system administration.

Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions Of Employment & Appeal Rights

Minimum Qualifications Seven (7) years of relevant work experience in natural-resources-related grant management or an occupation related to the work assigned to this position. OR A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in Natural Resources, Wildlife Management, Biology, Aquatic Biology/Fishery Science/Aquaculture/Fishery Management, Ecology, Environmental Science, Environmental Policy, Outdoor Recreation, Zoology/Animal Sciences, Public Administration, Business, Accounting, Finance, forestry or an occupation related to the work assigned equal to seven (7) years.

• Additional appropriate experience will substitute for the degree requirement on a year-for-year basis. Additional appropriate education will substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Current or former State experience relevant to this position
• Current or former Colorado Parks & Wildlife work or volunteer experience
• Strong organizational skills that support tight deadlines, multiple priorities, and a high volume of work
• Ability to analyze, interpret, and apply local, state, and federal laws and fiscal rules.
• Experience with state budgeting and analyzing financial data
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Office products and other applications (word, excel, google documents, etc.)
• Experience with the State's electronic accounting system (Colorado Operations Resource Engine or "CORE").

Required Competencies

• Experience finding, applying for, and working with grants supporting wildlife or natural resources
• Considerable skill with grant proposal development and review, writing, management, and reporting activities
• Demonstrated experience working with multiple staff, stakeholders and authorizing groups with grant programs
• Ability to establish and maintain effective strong working relationships with internal and external partners and stakeholders
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with ability to summarize operational, legal, regulatory, and financial information clearly and concisely and the ability to communicate through all avenues of communication (e.g., email, phone, website, in person, etc.)

Conditions of Employment

• State of Colorado residency is required at the time of application.
• Must possess and maintain a valid state of Colorado driver's license if operating a State vehicle.
• Travel around the state to attend meetings, provide training, and site visits. Occasional out of state travel for training or conferences.
• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose the information on the application and provide an explanation why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify their application from the current position. (Please Note: Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with DNR).
• Pursuant to the DNR-120 Fleet and Driving Standards Administrative Directive, any worker who will be expected to drive a State-owned vehicle is responsible for maintaining a safe driving record and a valid driver's license prior to driving any State-owned vehicle. To be compliant with the new fleet vehicle policy, Motor Vehicle Records (MVRs) will be pulled for review for workers who:
• Have an assigned State fleet vehicle
• Are required to operate a vehicle as part of the position
• Utilize a State fleet vehicle as a pool vehicle

APPEAL RIGHTS: It is recommended that you contact the Human Resources Specialist listed below to resolve issues related to your possession of minimum qualifications. However, if you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director. An appeal or review must be submitted on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative. This form must be delivered to the State Personnel Board by email (dpa_state

Colorado Department of Transportation