Grants Specialist

Okeechobee; Okeechobee (FL); On-site; USD 31,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

Okeechobee County Government is seeking a Grants Specialist to lead the County's grants administration. This role focuses on directing strategic development initiatives and overseeing grant processes from inception through completion, reporting to the Strategic Planning and Grants Administration Director.

The position requires strong knowledge of grant writing, management, and regulatory compliance, with emphasis on budgeting, reporting, and audit readiness.

Qualifications

• Two+ years in local government grants management preferred.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements and Sunshine Laws.
• Proficiency in grant budgeting, reporting, and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee grants administration from initiation to completion.
• Develop and maintain grant tracking and monitoring systems.
• Integrate grants into the County budget process and respond to inquiries.

Skills

Grant writing

Grant management

Regulatory compliance

Budgeting and reporting

Analytical thinking

Project management software

Education

Associate's degree or equivalent

Tools

MS Project

Smartsheet

Job description

Grants Specialist$26.89/Hourly –Administration

Serves as a skilled leader responsible for directing the County’s strategic development initiatives and overseeing all grants administration functions. The Strategic Planning and Grants Administration Director manages high‑priority projects from inception through completion, ensuring alignment with community goals. Work is performed under the direction of the County Administrator.

Essential Job Functions:

• Participate and assist in the preparation of the Preliminary and Final Grant Reconciliation Single Audit(s).
• Develops, maintains and updates monitoring/tracking system that meets requirements of County Finance Department, Audit Department, and agencies awarding the grants.
• Assures integration of grants into the budget process and responds to inquiries as needed.
• Identifies and implements effective and efficient processes related to budget and grant reporting functions. Prepares routine and recurring reports such as reimbursement and progress reports, and other reports as required.
• Researches information to identify grants. Analyzes and prepares grant applications; drafts grant narratives, develops and recommends options for match requirements.
• Submits agenda requests and ensures that supporting documentation is included.
• Reviews and/or prepares budget amendments, resolutions, transfers and agenda items as appropriate.
• Maintains grant documentation to ensure audit ready as required by regulation of governing agencies. Ensures grant reporting compliance.
• Prepares grant and other related financial reports such as spreadsheets, charts and graphs depicting data such as dates and deliverables for use in grant proposals as needed.
• Identifies grants to be budgeted for in the County’s annual budget plan, develops draft budgets for new grant proposals and produces updated budgets for annual renewals of multi-year grant proposals.
• Prepares analysis on impact of grant award, identifying funding source, match source, and location of grant budget.
• Trains and assists departments in developing grant applications and compliance documents, communicates with and trains departments on grant/budget policies.
• Independently reviews, analyzes, and interprets data concerning a variety of complex budget/financial activities and projects.
• Assist in developing budget preparation guidelines and instructions for all departments.
• May serve as an essential worker during a declared emergency.

(These essential job functions are not to be construed as a complete statement of all duties performed. Employees will be required to perform other job-related marginal duties as required.)

Minimum Qualifications:

• In-depth understanding of regulatory and compliance requirements.
• Considerable knowledge of laws and regulatory requirementsimpactingthe County.
• Understanding oflocal government procedures and Sunshine Laws.
• Ability to understand complex legislative issues andidentifypotential impacts to the County.
• Strong budget and resource management skills.
• Budgeting, financial reporting, and fiscal management pertains to strategic projects and grant-funded programs.
• Expertise ingrant writing, grant management, and compliance requirements for federal, state, and private funding sources.
• Expertise instakeholder engagement and public relations.
• Analytical skills foridentifyingand managing project risks.
• Proficiencyin project management software (e.g., MS Project, Smartsheet)
• Strong critical thinking skills and ability to manage sensitive information with discretion.
• Ability to understand and follow specific instructions and procedures.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
• Knowledge of the principles of general management, public and business administration and their application to governmental administration.
• Knowledge of rules and regulations relating to financial records of departments or agencies funded by grants.
• Knowledge of accounting, financial and management principles, practices and techniques.
• Knowledge of County departments/divisions and their daily business functions.
• Knowledge of the laws, rules and regulations effective in the State and county relating to fiscal and accounting.
• Ability to understand the relationship of the County’s financial statements to the budget; including the ability to read a balance sheet, understand, and apply accounting principles.
• Ability to consistently meet deadlines and rapid turn‑around times.
• Ability to research data and information to support grant requests.
• Ability to prepare and review grant and budget agenda requests and ensure that supporting documentation is included.
• Ability to prepare routine and recurring reports such as reimbursement and progress reports, and other reports as required.
• Ability to operate office equipment including computers.
• Ability to analyze and solve problems.
• Ability to plan and organize workload to meet deadlines.
• Ability to make rational decisions and perform repetitive motions.

Education and Experience

• Associate's degree or equivalent.
• Two (2) or more years of professional experience in local government purchasing or grants management is preferred.
• Must obtain appropriate NIMS courses in order to serve as backup in fulfilling the duties of the Supply Branch during activations in an Emergency Operations Center and Incident Command environment.

(A comparable amount of training, education or experience can be substituted for minimum qualifications.)