GRANTS SPECIALIST DEFINITION:
Under the direction of a supervisory official, in a state department or agency, is responsible for the management of assigned federal and private grants within the department and the development of methods and means to secure new funds for proposed programs; does other related duties.
NOTE: The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.
EXAMPLES OF WORK:
Under the direction, assists the program managers with the preparation of grant applications and monitors the expenditures of assigned grant programs.
Reviews federal grant applications, agreements and accounting documents to insure accurate budget information, conformity with grant conditions, and proper utilization of federal and state resources to insure compliance with federal and state regulations and procedures.
Assists in the design and implementation of systems and procedures to insure the accurate accounting of all grant related expenditures.
Maintains records of assigned federal grants which contain the total federal funds to the Department and the state matching share.
Assesses and monitors specific supplementary terms and conditions of grant awards inserted by federal grantor agencies in terms of departmental impact and assures compliance with these conditions.
Responsible for an internal financial review for grant agreements to project expenditures through the end of grant period for variance computation and assist the project managers with budgetary amendments as needed.
In coordination with budget analysts, assists in the preparation of the federal funds section of the department's budget.
Works with the program managers in preparing project applications for grant resources, providing technical assistance to department entities for grant applications and establishing administrative and evaluation procedures to analyze the cost/benefits of specific grant programs.
Prepares Financial Status Reports on each federal grant in accordance with the federal regulations.
Prepares drawdowns in the form of Letters of Credit or reimbursement requests for eligible disbursements of federal grants.
Establishes required receivables for federal grant awards and assures proper funds are set up in the operating accounts for use by the programs.
Assures that all federal reimbursements and drawdowns are supported by detailed cost accounting records and funds are credited to the proper accounts.
Prepares supplemental appropriation requests for federal grants as needed.
Prepares audit responses for assigned grants and assists in resolving questioned costs and audit issues.
Prepares various reports and statistical data relevant to federal funding within the department.
Monitors federal and/or private sources of funds.
Prepares correspondence.
Maintains grant records and files.
Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office or related units.
REQUIREMENTS:
NOTE:Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester-hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience.
Eight (8) years of professional accounting experience including two (2) years in the coordination of grant funding in a public or private organization and with automated cost accounting systems, including or supplemented by twenty-one (21) semester hour credits in accounting.
OR
Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, including or supplemented by twenty-one (21) semester-hour credits in professional accounting courses; and four (4) years of the above-mentioned professional experience, with two (2) years of experience in the coordination of grant funding in a public or private organization including experience with automated cost accounting systems.
OR
Possession of a valid Certificate as a certified Public Accountant issued by the New Jersey Board of Certified Public Accountants; and four (4) years of the above-mentioned professional experience, with two (2) years of experience in the coordination of grant funding in a public or private organization including experience with automated cost accounting systems.
NOTE:"Professional experience refers to work that is creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the authority to act according to one's own judgement and make accurate and informed decisions.
LICENSE:
Appointee will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of cost accounting systems and procedures in an automated environment.
Knowledge of standards, policies, procedures, physical layout, regulations, functions and accounting systems of the Department of Environmental Protection.
Knowledge of the workings of Federal funding and its application to specific programs within the Department.
Ability to analyze programs using Federal funds and recommend corrective action where deficiencies exist.
Ability to maintain cooperative programs and relationships between Department and Federal units relative to Federal aid and other Department activities.
Ability to communicate with the various units of the Department in relation to research, development, maintenance, planning and technical assistance in relation to Federally funded projects.
Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
