Grant Administrator

Summary

Metro Transit’s Finance and Administration Division is looking for a highly skilled, customer focused Grants Administrator to fill an exciting and challenging career service position. This position, while working with a high level of independence, is part of a team that provides professional administration of Metro Transit’s grants. These grants primarily fund complex capital transit projects, although some fund unique operating projects as well.

The Grants team at Metro Transit performs three general functions: grants development, finance/administration, and oversight. Each Grants Administrator has primary responsibility for one of these functions. The position currently being recruited will have primary responsibility for oversight and regulatory compliance.

However, due to the fast paced environment all the Grants Administrators on the team often perform a full range of grant activities including planning/programming awards, development, oversight of regulatory compliance, management, reporting, audit support and financial administration of State and Federal grants. These duties include serving as a county representative with grantors and regional planning agencies. Our Grant Administrators work closely with project managers in Metro’s Divisions and their various sections and work groups to monitor project progress, provide advice and guidance, and develop grant reports.

Position Info: This recruitment will be used to fill one (1) Career Service Grant Administrator classification vacancy. In addition, this selection process may be used to generate an eligibility list for future Special Duty Assignment (SDA), Term Limited Temporary (TLT), and Career Service (CS) vacancies that may occur in this classification within this workgroup. The eligibility list will be retained for 12 months from the date of posting and may be used at the discretion of the hiring authority.

Who May Apply: We welcome applications from all interested candidates, including current King County employees and the public. Please refer to the "Supplemental Information" section of this job bulletin for the required application materials.

Job Duties

Applying equity and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and foundational expectation for all King County employees. In this role, you will apply equity and social justice principles that exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices to all aspects of this work. This position is comprised of the following core duties:

• Provide general oversight of agency compliance with state and federal regulations
• Communicate with project managers, management and other agency staff on a broad range of compliance questions including allowable costs to grants, NEPA/SEPA compliance and project changes.
• Work with King County Procurement, King County Prosecuting Attorneys and Metro staff to help Metro comply with County, state and federal policies, procedures and regulations helping ensure the eligibility of contract costs paid for with grant dollars.
• Train department and division staff and managers on policies, procedures, changing laws and grant compliance concepts.
• Work directly with auditors, gathering and preparing grant compliance information to timely meet audit requests and help Metro staff explain Metro policies, procedures and methods in relation to grants administration during annual and semi-annual state and federal audits.
• Liaison with state and federal granting agencies and the Puget Sound Regional Council, responding to inquiries, advocating for Metro positions on project and procedural requirements in relation to agency rules and regulations.
• Assist with project and interagency agreement negotiations that involve the use of state and/or federal grant funds.
• Assist with the organization of grant development processes, including providing input to project selection for certain grant programs and working directly with project managers on the writing and editing of assigned grant applications.
• Developing grant documents in the FTA TrAMS and WSDOT GMS on-line grant management systems.
• Collecting project information in the form of project set up forms for new grant funded projects and quarterly, semi-annual and annual reports to granting agencies.
• Perform financial review of projects, researching questions related to financial coding and grant draw down requests.
• Prepare information to support grant billings, ensuring accuracy and sufficiency of documentation. Support the year-end revenue accrual and financial closing processes in the County financial system as well as the preparation of the annual Schedule of Expenditures for Federal Awards (SEFA) and the State Schedule of Expenditures for Awards (SSEFA).
• Prepare manage and submit drawdown and other reimbursement requested.
• Provide and explain required financial supporting documentation and other related information as needed; develop and maintain financial records to meet audit requirements
• Work with Metro and other County financial and accounting staff, as well as Metro’s Asset Management team to ensure that grant funded fixed assets are properly capitalized and accounted for in the system of record.
• Develop grant revenue forecasts including semi-annual updates, and prepare grant information as part of the biannual budget process.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

We are looking for candidates who have:

• Minimum five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in funding and administration of large, complex operating, public works and/or capital grants, or a combination of education and experience that demonstrates an ability to meet the responsibilities of the position.
• GMC (Grants Management Certificate) or ability to obtain a Grant Management certification within two years of being hired.
• Experience with financial analysis, accounting principles, or public sector financial systems.
• Ability to perform research, analyze and solve problems to support project teams and make recommendation to senior management.
• Ability to use or learn complex grant management systems such as FTA TrAMS, WSDOT GMS, or similar platforms.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in financial, compliance, and reporting tasks.
• Strong technical writing skills, including the ability to prepare grant applications, reports, and regulatory documentation.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, writing and customer service skills, including the ability to explain complex regulatory requirements to a broad range of individuals.
• Ability to work effectively with external partners, including granting agencies, auditors, and regional planning organizations.
• Ability to work effectively both individually and collaboratively as a team member.
• Ability to manage your time and adapt to changing priorities, work on multiple priorities and projects simultaneously, meet quick deadlines and produce timely and quality work products.
• Ability to effectively use the Microsoft Office Suite of Software (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint).

Highly competitive candidates will have (desired, but not required):

• Experience administering and/or managing Federal Transit Administration or Washington State Department of Transportation grants.
• Experience reviewing state and/or federal rules, regulations, laws and compliance guidance
• Knowledge of public transportation systems
• Advanced skills in Excel
• Experience with project management, PMC (Project Management Certificate) is a plus
• Experience interpreting or preparing financial reports.

Supplemental Information

Who may apply: We are accepting applications from all qualified individuals including current King County employees and the general public.

To Apply

The following application materials are required:

• An online King County application updated with accurate contact information and relevant work history.
• Resume
• Completed supplemental questions.
• A cover letter that addresses why you are interested in this role and how your experience, skills and/or education have prepared you for this position.

Selection Process: Applications that do not include all of the required materials listed above will not be considered. Only the materials explicitly requested will be reviewed—additional documents or information will not be evaluated. Application materials will be screened for completeness and competitiveness. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more interviews and possibly other selection process elements. Final offers are contingent on successful completion of reference checks and/or a record review.

If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application/assessment process, or have questions, please contact: Sabrina Brazzle at sbrazzle@kingcounty.gov.

Other Position Information

Work Location: This is a hybrid position. The team works in a hybrid model, with days in the office as well as telecommuting. Currently, there will be a minimum of 2 days, Tuesday and Friday, in office per week required. The ratio of remote to onsite work will be dependent on business needs and is subject to change. The primary onsite location is King Street Center, 201 S. Jackson, Seattle, Washington 98104.

Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment. Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.

Work Schedule: The position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not overtime eligible. The typical workweek is 40 hours per week, Monday – Friday.

Union Representation: The position is represented by PROTEC17: Professional and Technical Employees, Local 17

Class Code: 2216300 GRANT ADMINISTRATOR

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King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.