Grant Manager - Office of Great Waters

State of Wisconsin; Madison (WI); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 59,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation & holidays

Health insurance options

Other insurance options

Retirement plan & 457

Well Wisconsin program

Employee assistance program

Job summary

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) – Division of Environmental Management is hiring a Grant Manager for the Office of Great Waters in Madison. Remote work may be available after onboarding; the role oversees GLRI grants and coordinates funding needs with managers and partners across the Great Lakes region.

The position includes handling up to $10 million in grants annually and about $50 million in active grants with nearly 100 projects, communicating with leadership and federal

Qualifications

• Grant administration and management: including the application process, project development, and reporting.
• Developing, monitoring, analyzing, and reporting financial data and grant budgets.
• Using financial spreadsheets and databases: including extracting, analyzing, manipulating, and presenting data (such as Microsoft tools) and experience using a finance system or other type of pertinent enterprise system(s).

Responsibilities

• Administer and manage the GLRI grant program for OGW.
• Coordinate funding needs with program managers and partners.
• Prepare financial documents and ensure grant applications meet requirements.

Skills

Grant administration

Grant budgeting

Financial data analysis

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Finance system

Job description

Introduction

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) - Division of Environmental Management, is hiring a Grant Manager for the Office of Great Waters. This position will be headquartered in Madison, at the Hill Farms office. Remote work may be available for a portion of the work week, after the initial onboarding period. This recruitment may also be used to fill future similar positions. Find a meaningful and rewarding career with the DNR! The DNR excels at protecting and managing natural resources while supporting the economy and the well‑being of our residents. We strive to hire, develop, and retain a talented workforce representative of the people of Wisconsin we serve. We offer training and career growth opportunities, a comprehensive benefits package, and are searching for people with diverse backgrounds to join our dynamic and team‑oriented environment.

Position Summary

This position has primary responsibility for administration of the Federal Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) grant program for the Office of Great Waters (OGW). This position serves in the Water Quality Business Services section and is responsible for the Federal and State Great Lakes funds OGW receives which includes up to $10 million in incoming grants per year, totaling approximately $50 million in active grants and nearly 100 active individual projects. Provides coordination for the Great Lakes grant program for OGW by working with resource managers on funding needs for projects and initiatives in the Great Lake basin and align those needs with Federal and State funding opportunities. The position will communicate with program managers, division leadership and Secretary’s office on upcoming and priority projects and funding. Coordinate with federal agencies, particularly with Environmental Protection Agency’s Great Lakes National Program office Region 5 and other partners on grant opportunities for Great Lakes projects and initiatives, while working with staff and partners on application processes and submittals. Prepares financial documents and ensures grant applications meet federal and state requirements, while implementing deliverables and grant reporting requirements.

This position works with more than 60 different partners to fund and implement great lakes water projects including universities, municipalities, non‑profits, counties, and other local partners. Additionally, this position manages sub‑award agreements and contracts up to $10 million, acting as the subject matter expert on grant administration and financial programs for OGW financial staff pertaining to grant financial transactions and administration of financial resources related to these funding sources. The position acts as a key integrator for assigned grant programs to other Environmental Management Division program administrators and managers across the Department of Natural Resources.

Salary Information

The Natural Resources Financial Assistance Specialist‑Senior position is within Pay Schedule/Range 07-03. Starting pay for this position is between $38.00 to $42.72 per hour ($79,040.00 to $88,857.60 annually), in addition to excellent benefits.

This position is not represented by a collective bargaining unit. Pay on appointment will follow the provisions of the State of Wisconsin Compensation Plan.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off, including at least 3 1/2 weeks of vacation/personal time, nine paid holidays, and ample sick time that rolls over each year with no cap.
• Excellent and affordable health insurance options (starting at $45/month for single and $111/month for family coverage).
• Other great insurance options (dental, vision, life, and more).
• A top‑notch retirement program and optional tax advantaged 457 retirement savings plan.
• A Well Wisconsin program, offering wellness tools and rewards to employees and spouses.
• A free and confidential employee assistance program that offers employees and their household members tools, resources, and professional consultation services.
• For more info, see our Total Rewards Calculator.

Job Details

Background Checks: The Department of Natural Resources conducts criminal background checks on final applicants prior to job offer. Please note that a criminal charge or conviction on your record will not necessarily disqualify you from state employment. In compliance with the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act, the DNR does not discriminate on the basis of arrest or conviction record.

Eligibility to work in United States: The Department of Natural Resources does not sponsor work visas at the time of hire or anytime during employment. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete the required Employment Eligibility Form I-9 upon hire.

Probation: A 12‑month probationary period may be required.

Reference Check: References are not required at the time of application but will be required upon successful completion of the interview process.

Remote Work: Based on an assessment of the goals and work activities, this position may be eligible for remote work. Remote work approval is based on individual circumstances and is subject to supervisor approval and DNR remote work policies. Approval is subject to change without notice based on business needs. Employees with approved remote work arrangements are generally expected to work within the state of Wisconsin.

Travel: Occasional statewide travel will be required.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications Include Experience In ALL The Following Criteria

• Grant administration and management: including the application process, project development, and reporting.
• Developing, monitoring, analyzing, and reporting financial data and grant budgets.
• Using financial spreadsheets and databases: including extracting, analyzing, manipulating, and presenting data (such as Microsoft tools, queries, pivot tables, advanced formulas, etc.) and experience using a finance system or other type of pertinent enterprise system(s).

In Addition, Preferred Qualifications Include The Following Criteria

• Working with policy and procedures related to grant administration.
• Working with funding from a variety of sources - including private foundations, state, and federal.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of Wisconsin is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to applicants of any race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.

Deadline to Apply

All applications must be received by 11:59 pm central on Monday, November 16th, 2026.