Assistant Acquisition Program Manager - L&W60035918 - HYBRID

Natural and Cultural Resources; Raleigh (NC); Hybrid; USD 53,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) is seeking an Assistant Acquisition Program Manager to support day-to-day management of the Acquisition Program, including pre- and post-award activities. You will help review applications, negotiate contracts with grantees, and monitor a subset of active contracts.

This hybrid role located in Raleigh requires strong grant administration and land conservation knowledge, plus solid communication and budgeting skills to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in environmental science or closely related field with 2 years of related experience.
• Experience with state or federal grant administration, including contract and budget review is preferred.
• Strong verbal and written communication, budgeting, problem-solving, and organization skills.

Responsibilities

• Support development and scoring of annual Acquisition applications with field and acquisition teams.
• Assist grant recipients with contract and scope management including real estate documentation review.
• Review and approve grant payment requests weekly to ensure progress and documentation.
• Participate in regular status meetings with Acquisition Team and DNCR Legal on program and closing status.
• Identify obstacles and help develop process improvements for the Acquisition Program.

Skills

Grant administration

Land conservation

Budget analysis

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in environmental science

Tools

ArcGIS

Google Earth

Public land records

Job description

About Us

The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) enriches people’s lives through education and stewardship of North Carolina’s natural and cultural resources. DNCR manages over 100 locations across the state, including historic sites, museums, state parks, trails, aquariums, the North Carolina Zoo, the Library of North Carolina, the State Archives, the North Carolina Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the North Carolina Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. These programs and places unite North Carolinians, create a shared identity, and provide common ground. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.

Description of Work

The Assistant Acquisition Program Manager will assist in the day-to-day management of the Acquisition Program, including pre- and post-award activities. The position will contribute to the review and scoring of applications; prepare and negotiate contracts with grantees; monitor the implementation on a subset of active contracts assigned to the staffer; meet with grantees for progress reporting; and coordinate with grantees and Acquisition and Legal teams to ensure satisfactory acquisition closings and close-out of projects. The position will also review payment requests for accuracy and conformance to contracts, serving as a first-line approver and back-up to the Program Manager as needed.

Key Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Support the development and scoring of annual Acquisition applications to the Fund, working with the Field and Acquisition teams and outside experts.
• Assist grant recipients with contract and scope management, including real estate document review (appraisals, deeds, conservation easements, title, plats, etc.).
• Review and approve grant recipient payment requests weekly, ensuring grant objectives have been met and all documentation is provided.
• Participate in regular status meetings with Acquisition Team and DNCR Legal on program and closing status.
• Identify and troubleshoot obstacles to success and help develop process improvements and improve the Acquisition Program.

Qualifications and Preferences

Applicants meet the minimum qualifications of this position if they meet the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement. Vacancy specific knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) and/or management preferences are not required. Applicants who possess the following are preferred:

• Experience with state or federal grant administration, including but not limited to contract and budget review.
• Experience in the land conservation field, including fee simple and/or conservation easement acquisitions by nonprofits or state or local government agencies.
• Strong skills in verbal and written communication, budget analysis, problem-solving, and organization; demonstrates a commitment to high‑quality professional work.
• Ability to work with a diverse team of individuals, peers and partners, who are not co‑located.
• Familiarity with ArcGIS, Google Earth, and public land records.

Recruitment Range: $52,592.00 - $72,314.00

Position/Physical Requirements

Must be available to work the schedule of Monday - Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm.

Must have a valid driver’s license issued from within the United States or be able to obtain one within 90 days of employment.

This position is deemed eligible for hybrid telework under DNCR’s Telework Policy.

This position is located at: 121 W. Jones St. Raleigh, NC 27601.

Minimum Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree in one of the agricultural, biological, engineering, environmental or natural resource sciences or a closely related curriculum from an appropriately accredited institution AND two years of experience related to the area of assignment; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience. Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both.

See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Section/Unit Description

The North Carolina Land and Water Fund (NCLWF) provides grant assistance to non‑profits, local governments and state agencies for the protection of natural resources in North Carolina. The NCLWF funds projects that (1) enhance or restore degraded waters, (2) protect unpolluted waters, and/or (3) contribute toward a network of riparian buffers and greenways for environmental, educational, and recreational benefits, (4) provide buffers around military bases to protect the military mission, (5) acquire land that represents the ecological diversity of North Carolina, and (6) acquire land that contributes to the development of a balanced State program of historic properties.

Division Description

The Division of Land and Water Stewardship (DLWS) is a nonregulatory division within the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources that provides information and assistance to support effective conservation. The office is an integral part of the state’s conservation efforts and seeks to maintain a positive relationship with communities through partnerships with local, state, and federal agencies, industries, organizations, and private citizens.

https://nclwf.nc.gov/stewardship

EEO Statement

The Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) selects applicants for employment based on required education and experience and job‑related knowledge, skills, and abilities without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age (40 or older), disability, National Guard or veteran status, genetic information, political affiliation, or political influence. We are an Employment First state, ensuring that people with disabilities have equal opportunities to succeed in the state government workplace. DNCR supports pay equity for women, establish paid parental leave for birth, adoption, and foster care, and implement fair chance policies. Join a team that welcomes, values, respects and supports all members of our work community.

Employment Eligibility

It is the policy of the State of North Carolina and DNCR that all employees provide proof of employment eligibility (immigration and naturalization) on the first day of employment. We participate in E‑Verify (Employment Eligibility Verification System).

Veteran’s and National Guard Preference

Applicants seeking Veteran’s Preference must attach a DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, along with the state application. Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach an NGB 23A (RPAS), along with the state application if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing. Applicants who are former member of either the NC Army National Guard or the NC Air National Guard, with honorable discharge and six years of creditable service must attach a copy of the DD 256 or NGB 22, along with the state application.

ADA Accommodations

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), DNCR is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, DNCR will ensure that persons with disabilities, or known limitations covered by the PWFA, are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the person indicated below.