Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago

Grant Administrator (#20003504)

General Statement

Under direction, oversees, investigates and pursues alternative funding for District projects and partnering agencies; provides guidance to District departments on reporting requirements and restrictions regarding granted funding; and maintains communications with Federal, state and county agencies and legislators regarding the District’s funding needs.

Essential Job Functions

Essential job functions are fundamental, core functions common to positions in a classification.  They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class.  Since class specifications are designed to be descriptive and not restrictive, incumbents may complete one or all of the job duties listed or tasks of similar kind not specifically listed here.
• Develops, oversees and carries out a strategy and process to explore external funding sources, ensuring that sources align with the District’s mission.
• Investigates or supervises the investigation of alternative funding sources for compatibility with upcoming projects, sometimes in conjunction with partnering agencies. 
• Evaluates and researches grant opportunities to ensure District eligibility and appropriate fit of funding source with the District’s goals; matches upcoming District projects with potential funding sources. 
• Completes and submits technical grant applications; evaluates grant applications completed by subordinate staff. 
• Supervises the reporting of grant usage to ensure compliance with granting agency regulations.
• Notifies partnering agencies of potential funding opportunities. 
• Maintains relationships with granting authorities and/or legislators concerning the District’s and partnering agencies’ needs for funding for upcoming projects. 
• Maintains relationships within and across District departments regarding upcoming projects and compatibility with available grant opportunities or to explore new avenues for grants. 
• Assigns, supervises and reviews work; ensures staff compliance with District policies and procedures including Personnel Rules and Administrative Procedures; completes performance reviews; addresses employee complaints and grievances; may recommend employment actions such as hiring, transfer, suspension, promotion or discharge.

Other Job Functions

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Environmental Conditions

Work is performed in a typical office environment and requires the use of standard office equipment including computers.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of public capital infrastructure planning.
• Basic knowledge of the District’s mission and directions.
• Basic knowledge of relevant federal, state and local agencies and their funding opportunities such as FEMA, EPA, USACE, IEPA, IEMA and Cook County. 
• Skill in writing and editing technical written materials. 
• Skill in conveying highly technical materials to non-technical listeners in a persuasive manner. 
• Ability to understand complex written materials included in complex engineering projects. 
• Ability to work cooperatively in a group setting. 
• Ability to perform effective research using computers or other means.
• Ability to communicate effectively and persuasively, orally and  in writing.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Graduation from a four-year accredited college or university majoring in business or public administration, urban planning or a related field and four years of experience writing and managing grants.

Substitution

Additional professional experience in grant writing or technical writing activities, or grants management activities may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis. Professional certification as a grant writer may be substituted for one year of the required education or experience.

Promotional Requirement

• Two years of service with the District as a Grant Writer.
• Civil service status as a Grant Writer.

CLASS: 20003504; EST: 1/1/2025;