Job descriptions/specifications are intended to indicate the essential functions and levels of work difficulty of the position and are not intended to describe in detail all of the position's specific duties and responsibilities nor exclude other duties of similar level or difficulty. Additionally, it is not intended to limit management's rights to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under their supervision.

DEFINITION

This position performs complex and sensitive professional work related to grant seeking, grant administration, and coordinating grant management activities on a citywide basis, both during regular operations and in a post-disaster environment. The position is responsible for grant identification, preparation, management and administration to ensure successful financial outcomes.

Examples of Duties

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

(Essential functions are those functions that the individual who holds the position must be able to perform unaided or with the assistance of reasonable accommodation.)

1. Serve as a representative of the City of Mesquite, demonstrating a positive attitude and progressive actions through the display of professionalism, courtesy, and appropriate tact and discretion in all interactions with other employees and with the public.
2. Administer city-sponsored grants and funding opportunities and related grant monitoring and reporting.
3. Research and identify grant funding opportunities and sources that match city funding needs – federal, state, and local.
4. Facilitate research, development, review, and editing of agency grant proposals, prepare, submit, and manage grant proposals.
5. Assist in the annual budgeting process surrounding grants and other financial resources.
6. Performs general financial accounting and reconciliations, and assists with financial statement preparation and other summary reports.
7. Maintain a calendar of grant submissions and other deadlines, and remain in contact with grant-making organizations in order to be able to supply additional supportive material.
8. Oversee and coordinate all grant-related efforts and compliance citywide. Oversee department operations in the absence of the Finance Director.
9. Serve as a liaison and resource to other city departments, divisions, and public and outside agencies.
10. Participate in city-wide committees and meetings to provide expert consultation on grant funding and financial activities.
11. Review proposed federal and state legislation for impacts to City-related funding sources
12. Maintain a variety of automated record keeping in both financial and grant areas.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS

• Protect confidential information by preventing unauthorized release, both verbal and/or writing.
• Perform other related duties and responsibilities as assigned

Typical Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS

The degree of knowledge and ability as outlined under this section is that which is necessary to satisfactorily perform the essential functions of this position.

Knowledge of:

• English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Principles, practices and procedures of public administration and grant program funding and implementation.
• Sources of information regarding grants.
• The functions of the various city departments to facilitate grant sourcing.
• Methods of research, analysis and report preparation.Principles and practices of contract administration as it applies to grant funding.
• Advanced knowledge of common office computer hardware and software, including database, spreadsheets, word processing and email.
• Accounting and auditing principles relating to grants administration.
• Pertinent federal, state and local laws, codes, regulations.
• Federal disaster recovery funding sources (e.g. Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR), the Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) Disaster Relief Opportunity, and the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP))
• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) rules, regulations, guidelines and governmental reporting standards as required by GASB 34.
• Obtain working knowledge and familiarity with City ordinances as well as Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) and Nevada Administrative Codes (NAC) pertaining to financial and grant management, administrative regulations and requirements.

Skills in:

• Collect, interpret, analyze, and evaluate narrative and statistical data pertaining to policy, fiscal, and department operation matters.
• Analyze policies, regulations, projects, activities, and methods.
• Writing clear, structured, articulate and persuasive proposals and editing grant proposals, researching new funding sources.
• Managing complex information, to include, strong analytical skills and problem solving.
• Producing written documents with clearly organized thoughts using proper sentence construction, punctuation, spelling and grammar.
• Interpreting, applying and explaining pertinent federal, state and local laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Preparing, presenting, and maintaining complete, accurate and concise correspondence

Ability to:

• Work independently with minimal supervision.
• Use initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines.
• Plan, organize and prioritize assignments.
• Manage multiple assignments.
• Meet critical deadlines.
• Understand and carry out complex written and verbal instructions.
• Conduct detailed research, compile statistics and analyze data.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; using tact, discretion and prudence dealing with a variety of individuals from various socioeconomic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
• Maintain confidentiality of information and documents.

Experience, Education and Training:

Any equivalent combination of training, education and experience which provides the individual with the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

• Education: High school diploma or GED. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Finance, Business or Public Administration, or a related field to the essential functions is strongly preferred.
• SUBSTITUTIONS: An applicant may utilize either of the following options as a substitution to qualify: Any combination of education, training and experience in business, public administration, grant writing, or a related field.
• Experience: Five (5) years of experience in the areas of essential functions including overseeing finance and grants, of which two (2) years preferred with a municipal government .
• License or Certificate: Must possess at the time of employment and continuously throughout employment a valid Nevada or “border state” driver’s license, as defined by NRS 483.

Competencies:

• Active listening – Effective performers offer their full attention when others speak. They listen actively, giving verbal and nonverbal cues of their interest. When the speaker has finished, they paraphrase what was said to ensure understanding.
• Change Agility – Effective performers are adaptable. They embrace needed change and modify their behavior when appropriate to achieve organizational objectives. They are effective in the face of ambiguity. They understand and use change management techniques to help ensure smooth transitions.
• Conflict Management – Effective performers recognize that conflict can be a valuable part of the decision-making process. They are comfortable with healthy conflict and support and manage differences of opinion. They thwart destructive competition or friction, and use consensus and collaboration to debate and resolve issues.
• Creativity - Effective performers generate original ideas, encourage new ways of thinking, explore options, and develop innovative solutions. They challenge pre-existing conceptions and offer alternatives. They find new ways to look at old problems. They encourage others to challenge old assumptions and try innovative improvements.
• Delegation – Effective performers willingly entrust work to others. They provide clear guidelines, monitor, redirect, and set limits as needed. They provide challenging assignments whenever possible, sharing the authority and providing resources and support that empower others to meet their expectations.
• High Standards – Effective performers establish and model standards that guarantee exceptional quality and necessary attention to detail. They continually seek to improve processes and products, and hold staff accountable for quality. They find best practices, share them, and then improve upon them.
• Influence – Effective performers are skilled at directing, persuading, and motivating others. They are able to flex their style to direct, collaborate, or empower, as the situation requires. They have established a personal power base built on mutual trust, fairness, and honesty.
• Mission Focus - Effective performers understand and support the organization's mission - its core purpose for being. They believe in the mission, value it, and are committed to it. They communicate it to staff, stand behind it, and interpret its applications for others. They frequently refer to the mission and incorporate it into daily activities.
• Organizing and Planning – Effective performers have strong organizing and planning skills that allow them to be highly productive and efficient. They manage their time wisely, and effectively prioritize multiple competing tasks. They plan, organize, and actively manage meetings for maximum productivity.
• Relationship Building – Effective performers understand that a primary factor in success is establishing and maintaining productive relationships. They like interacting with people and are good at it. They devote appropriate time and energy to establishing and maintaining networks. They initiate contacts readily and maintain them over time. They are able to utilize relationships to facilitate business transactions.

Supplemental Information

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed under the following conditions:

Physical Requirements:

Duties require sufficient mobility to work in a typical office setting, use standard office equipment, and be capable of traveling to and from various work sites or other City locations; sustained posture in a seated position for prolonged periods of time; occasional stooping, twisting, bending, kneeling, and reaching; vision to read printed materials and a VDT screen, and hearing and speech to communicate in person or over the telephone; endurance sufficient to maintain efficiency and energy through work day. Must be able to attend off-site/out of town training occasionally, handle stressful situations and must be able to carry/lift/push or pull loads of up to 25lbs. Attend meetings outside of normal working hours.

Dealing With Difficult People:

• Employee will have to deal with difficult people from time to time in the performance of this job. Accordingly, good people skills are necessary.

Background Investigation:

• Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation.