Sr Grants Specialist

Senior Grants Specialist

As a Senior Grants Specialist, you will independently administer and manage a portfolio of complex federal, state, and local grants supporting agency programs and capital projects. You will monitor compliance, prepare funding applications, coordinate reporting activities, and provide technical support to project managers and agency staff throughout the grant lifecycle.

This position serves as an experienced grants professional responsible for ensuring assigned grants meet funding requirements, reporting obligations, and agency procedures. The Senior Grants Specialist works closely with project teams, finance staff, and funding agencies to support successful grant implementation, reimbursement, audit readiness, and closeout activities.

The position provides guidance on grant requirements, reporting obligations, and compliance-related processes for assigned grants while escalating complex regulatory issues, policy interpretations, and agency-wide compliance concerns to the Grants Administrator and Grants Manager.

Essential Duties

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage grant tracking, monitoring, and reporting activities for assigned grants to ensure compliance with grant requirements, audit standards, and agency procedures. Review certifications, assurances, regulatory updates, and funding source requirements affecting active awards. Provide guidance to project teams regarding compliance obligations and reporting requirements.
• Coordinate reporting activities for active grants, including quarterly, annual, and ad hoc reports. Collaborate with project managers and agency staff to monitor project progress, maintain performance information, and prepare management reports on grant activity.
• Prepare and coordinate grant application submissions for assigned funding opportunities. Gather and analyze project information, develop application materials, coordinate with project managers and agency staff, monitor deadlines and deliverables, and maintain supporting documentation through submission and award notification.
• Maintain grant files, award documentation, agreements, and supporting records in accordance with agency records retention requirements and grantor expectations. Ensure documentation is accurate, complete, and readily accessible.
• Provide guidance and technical support to project managers and agency staff regarding grant requirements, eligibility, reporting obligations, amendments, and compliance matters. Coordinate activities among multiple grant-funded projects and partner agencies to support successful grant implementation.
• Coordinate reimbursement and billing activities for assigned grants. Review expenditures for funding eligibility, prepare reimbursement requests and supporting documentation, monitor reimbursement status, and facilitate timely receipt of grant funds in accordance with grant requirements and agency procedures.
• Maintain documentation and records required to support grant-related audits and compliance reviews. Prepare audit materials, respond to auditor requests, assist with tracking and resolution of findings, and support corrective actions related to annual audits, Single Audits, FTA Triennial Reviews, and other compliance reviews.
• Perform other duties of a similar nature or level.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in grants administration, project development, budgeting, finance, accounting, or a related field. A bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, public administration, business administration, or a related field may substitute for three (3) years of experience.
• Two (2) years of experience administering public-sector grants, contracts, or funding programs.
• Two (2) years of professional experience using Microsoft Excel and enterprise software systems.

An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the job duties will also be considered.

Knowledge Requirements

• Principles and practices of grant administration, including grant monitoring, compliance, reporting, reimbursement processing, and closeout activities.
• Federal, state, and local regulations applicable to grant-funded programs, including reporting, eligibility, and use-of-funds requirements.
• Financial administration concepts, including budgeting, cost tracking, and grant-related financial reporting.
• Research, analysis, recordkeeping, and report preparation methods and techniques.
• Audit support practices, documentation requirements, and records retention standards.

Skill Requirements

• Fostering an inclusive workplace by upholding Community Transit's core values in support of the organization's vision and mission. Inspiring team commitment, pride, and trust while promoting cooperation and motivating members to achieve shared goals. Demonstrating courtesy, sensitivity, and respect in all interactions.
• Interpret and apply grant requirements, policies, procedures, and regulatory guidance to support compliant grant administration.
• Coordinate multiple grant-funded projects while managing competing priorities, deadlines, and deliverables.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with project managers, funding agencies, auditors, consultants, and employees at all organizational levels.
• Prepare grant-related reports, reimbursement requests, correspondence, and supporting documentation in accordance with funding requirements.
• Use Microsoft Excel and other business software applications to analyze, track, and report information.
• Use, or quickly learn, grant management systems such as FTA TrAMS, WSDOT GMS, or similar platforms.
• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with internal and external stakeholders regarding grant requirements, reporting, and compliance activities.

Preferred Knowledge and Skills

• Experience administering and/or managing Federal Transit Administration (FTA) or Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) grants.
• Experience using grant management systems such as FTA TrAMS, WSDOT Grant Management System (GMS), or comparable enterprise grant or financial platforms to support grant administration activities.
• Working knowledge of federal grant requirements, including Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), FTA requirements, and general grant compliance practices.
• Experience supporting federal, state, or external audits and compliance reviews, such as the Federal Single Audit, Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) reporting, FTA Triennial Reviews, or similar processes, including documentation preparation and response support.

Working Conditions

Hybrid telework may be available. Availability is at management discretion based on the nature of the work. Work is performed in an office environment and requires the use of office equipment and technology. You will be required to move throughout and between different office buildings and may need to complete tasks in noisy environments. You may also be required to lift and carry materials up to 10 pounds occasionally.

Application and Selection Process

• Only on-line applications accepted.
• Applicants for this job may be considered for other openings up to six months after the date this position is filled.
• Applicants who meet the minimum requirements may be scheduled for an interview as well as a variety of tests to demonstrate knowledge, and skills for the position. The evaluation process may include interviews, background check, reference checks and various performance tests.

Employee Benefits

• Employees (and their families) are covered by medical, dental, vision, basic life and disability insurance.
• Employees participate in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) and have the option to enroll in the agency's deferred compensation plan.
• In addition to WA Paid Sick Leave, employees in this position, accrue of 24 days of Paid Time off (192 hours) in their first year and ten (10) paid holidays throughout the calendar year.
• Full list of all benefits and details can be found here.

If you are related to or share the same living quarters of a current Community Transit employee, please let your Recruiter know as your eligibility for this position may be affected.

Community Transit provides a tobacco-free and drug-free work environment. As a recipient of federal funds, Community Transit is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on a basis prohibited by Federal, State or Local law. We value and encourage diversity in our workforce. EOE AA M/F/Vet/Disability. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, national origin, sex, protected veteran status or disability.