The Oregon Water Resources Department currently has a full-time opportunity for a Grant Management Analyst (Natural Resource Specialist 3) in Salem, Oregon, USA. This position also has the opportunity to work remotely on a schedule agreed upon the manager and employee.
The Department is committed to creating a workplace culture that understands and appreciates differences among people and is welcoming and inclusive to all. The Department strives to improve services for all Oregonians, through a work culture that fosters fairness and equity.
Consider joining our team and working to advance our agency’s mission to practice and promote responsible water management through our agency goals to directly address Oregon’s water supply needs, and to restore and protect streamflows and watersheds in order to ensure the long-term sustainability of Oregon’s ecosystems, economy, and quality of life. Learn more about the Department.
What you will do!
You will play a key role in supporting the strategic investments of public dollars into water planning, studies, and projects that help achieve a secure and sustainable water future in Oregon. You will be responsible for daily management and administration of a variety of grant programs within the Planning, Collaboration, and Investment Section within the Director’s Office. You will actively contribute to funding cycle operations, such as application solicitation and evaluation processes, and perform ongoing analysis for continuous improvement. You will represent the program/agency to applicants and stakeholders, assist with development of program materials, and conduct some limited project management. You will work both independently and as part of a team, operating in a program that has high visibility among stakeholders. This is the junior position of two grant staff in the agency.
What’s in it for you!
The opportunity to:
- Support a sustainable water future for Oregon’s economy, environment, and communities.
- Join an organization with smart, driven co-workers who care about public service, water resources, and their co-workers.
- Work with a team that welcomes new ideas.
- Practice and grow your skills and experience through challenging work.
- Find satisfaction in complex work bringing together science, policy, and public engagement to address water management issues.
- Grow personally and professionally through a variety of advancement and learning opportunities.
We offer a competitive benefits package that offers comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans for the employee and their qualified family members, as well as paid sick leave, vacation leave, personal leave, and 11 paid holidays a year. In addition, we offer membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), and you have the opportunity to potentially receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). Find out more about State of Oregon employee benefits.
What we are looking for?
We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may not meet every one of our listed qualifications. Lived experience may count towards the preferred qualifications listed below. If you are excited about this position, we encourage you to apply. If you are unsure as to whether or not you meet the qualifications of this position, please contact us to discuss your application.
Minimum qualifications:
- Three years of experience in a natural resource program area. At least one year of the experience must be at a technical or professional level performing activities in a natural resource program such as researching and analyzing data, conducting investigations, applying pertinent laws and regulations, or coordinating and monitoring project activities; AND a Bachelor’s degree in a natural resource area;
- OR three additional years of related experience.
- A Master’s degree in a natural resource area will substitute for up to one year of the required experience.
Desired attributes:
- Familiarity with grant administration, best grant management practices, or other types of funding assistance.
- Informed and engaged with issues of equity and environmental justice
- Excellent organization skills and detail-oriented
- Able to effectively communicate with a wide variety of audiences
- Passion for supporting Oregon’s economy, environment, and communities
- Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to identify connections and generate insights for continuous improvement
Position duties:
- Responsible for regular grant administration using best management practices. This includes drafting grant agreements for peer review using approved template, setting up budget tracking files, drafting grant and budget amendments, reviewing and processing requests for releases of funds, reviewing project/study final reports, progress reports, and other reporting requirements, closing grants, and program grant/budget tracking.
- Respond to inquiries about Department funding opportunities to provide clarity on eligibility and fit and understanding of requirements, timelines, and other facets of the opportunities.
- Assist grantees with questions on grant administration to provide excellent customer service that supports compliance with grant requirements and facilitate proper management of funds.
- Support application funding cycles at the direction of the Grant Program Coordinator, including development of application materials and guidance, review of grant applications, taking notes in meetings, preparation of written summaries review team evaluations of applications.
- Assist with preparation and presentation of materials to the Water Resources Commission on funding opportunities.
- Support grant award webinar workshops and contribute to the development of guidance for grantees.
- Work with fiscal staff to ensure grantee compliance with grant and loan agreements and fiscal procedures.
- Evaluate program effectiveness, report on status, propose and assist with the development and refinement of funding opportunity policies and procedures for improved service and progress in achieving program area goals and outcomes.
- Develop communication materials for grant and loan programs to reach intended audiences.
- Scope and implement projects, including drafting project workplans and schedules, serving as the project manager or on project team, developing work products, coordinating team and/or external input, and ensuring timely completion of project deliverables to achieve project goals.
- Engage in training and continued education to stay informed of grant management best practices, further understanding and practice in support of environmental justice and equity, and for continued professional development.
The team you will join
The Planning, Collaboration, and Investments (PCI) Section builds partnerships and incentivizes Oregonians to pursue integrated and innovative solutions for complex water challenges and an uncertain water future. The team works in support of the Department’s mission through: adaptive planning, cooperative partnerships, strategic investments, accessible information, and effective coordination. The strategic investments include grants and loans through Place-Based Integrated Water Resources Planning, Feasibility Study Grants, Water Project Grants and Loans, Water Well Abandonment, Repair and Replacement Fund, Harney Domestic Well Remediation Fund, the Water Measurement Cost-Share Program, and direct appropriations by the Oregon Legislature.
Working Conditions
This position may work remotely and/or in an office environment. Some overnight travel may be required across the state to attend meetings such as those of the Water Resources Commission. Time management is essential as well as excellent interpersonal skills to address various situations that may arise with employees, co-workers, and/or customers.
The State of Oregon is requiring all executive branch employees to complete their COVID-19 vaccination series by October 18, 2021 or six weeks after FDA approval of the vaccines, whichever is later, unless they receive a medical or religious accommodation. New employees must submit vaccination documentation or be approved for an exemption/accommodation before beginning work. For more information, visit: State of Oregon Newsroom : NewsDetail : State of Oregon
How to Apply
- Current State of Oregon employees – you must apply through your employee Workday account. A cover letter and resume are required as part of your application.
- External Applicants – Please visit the State of Oregon job opportunities web-page to submit your application for the position. A cover letter and resume are required as part of your application.
