Grants Manager (Business Services Administrator) - County of Orange

GRANTS MANAGER

(BUSINESS SERVICES ADMINISTRATOR)

 

This position is scheduled to receive salary range increases on the following dates:

Effective June 27, 2025 – 4.00% increase

 

SALARY INFORMATION
  Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and the successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.
  
 OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
   This recruitment is open to the public and is being held to establish an eligible list to fill current and future Operations and Maintenance Manager, Senior vacancies within OC Public Works and/or other County of Orange agencies. This recruitment may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications.

 DEADLINE TO APPLY
  Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately, as the recruitment will close on Monday, September 09, 2024, at 11:59 PM (PT).

OC PUBLIC WORKS
OC Public Works (OCPW) provides projects and services on a regional basis to unincorporated areas, to cities, and other County agencies and departments. The primary mission of the department is to protect and enrich the community through the sustainable delivery of projects and services. OC Public Works’ guiding principles are safety, integrity, quality, teamwork, and adaptability.
 
OCPW is a unique County department comprised of ten service areas: OC Development Services; OC Fleet Services; OC Administrative Services; OC Facilities Design & Construction; OC Facilities Maintenance & Central Utilities; OC Environmental Resources; OC Operations & Maintenance; OC Construction; OC Infrastructure Programs; and OC Survey.
  

     For more information on OC Public Works click here.

     For more information on the County of Orange click here. 

 

THE OPPORTUNITY
OCPW has an excellent opportunity for an experienced Business Services Administrator within the Grant Management and Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Act (RMRA) Support Unit. The Business Services Administrator (BSA) will serve as a Grants Manager within the Infrastructure Programs Service Area. The Grants Manager will play a pivotal role in leveraging their expertise to secure and manage grant funding to implement critical infrastructure projects across Orange County. The position will oversee the administration and management of an $80 million grant portfolio (currently), research and apply for new grant opportunities, implement and refine the newly developed grant tracker application, prepare reports for Executive Teams, Board Office, and external agencies as needed, respond to and support grant audit activities, and ensure compliance with grant program requirements. This critical position will ensure the County maximizes on its capture of necessary grant funding to augment our limited fiscal resources.

 

Key Responsibilities will include:

 

1. Grant Acquisition: Research, identify, and pursue grant opportunities from various federal, state, and local sources to support Infrastructure Capital Improvements Projects.
2. Grant Proposal Development: Prepare comprehensive grant proposals, including project descriptions, budgets, timelines, and other required documentation, ensuring alignment with funding guidelines and objectives.
3. Grant Management: Oversee all aspects of grant administration, including compliance, reporting, budget tracking, and coordination with internal and external project managers and stakeholders.
4. Oversee the administration relating to both competitive and formulaic funding streams, such as Measure M2 and RMRA.
5. Project Coordination: Collaborate with project managers, engineers, planners, and other team members to integrate grant-funding projects into the overall infrastructure programs.
6. Relationship Building: Cultivate and maintain relationships with grant-making agencies, community organizations, elected officials, and other stakeholders to support successful grant outcomes and future funding opportunities.
7. Risk Management: Identify potential risks and challenges associated with grant-funded projects and develop strategies to mitigate them effectively.
8. Grant Performance Evaluation: Monitor and evaluate our grant outcomes to inform future grant-seeking efforts.
9. Additional reporting and tracking of Capital Improvement Program budgets and resources may be required dependent upon organizational needs.

 

 

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS AND CORE COMPETENCIES 

Minimum of 3 years of progressive responsibility and experience in grant and/or revenue management, preferably in the public sector or within infrastructure development. Proven track record of successfully securing and managing competitive and formulaic grant funding for capital improvement projects. Strong understanding of grant regulations, compliance requirements, and reporting procedures. Excellent analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments and agencies. Proficiency in project management software, financial management tools, and Microsoft Office Suite. Additional desirable skills include familiarity with the use and reporting of other revenue streams such as developer impact fees, HUTA, Gas Tax, and special leveed property tax assessments as these relate to funding Capital Infrastructure Programs. A bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, Urban Planning, or related field is desired, but not required, dependent upon experience.

Technical Experience & Knowledge

• Thorough knowledge of the Grant process including grant submission, and requirements for completing projects that ensure timely and reimbursement to the maximum extent authorized.
• Experience in writing and administering grant applications, reviewing, and interpreting regulations, and compliance monitoring in governmental budgeting and grants administration.
• Understanding of principles, practices, techniques, and methods used in planning and coordinating capital improvement projects for public agencies. 
• Municipal procurement and contracting practices
• Extensive experience using Microsoft Suite programs with advanced proficiency using Microsoft Excel and other financial software.

Leadership

• Developing and sustaining a highly functioning and responsive client service team, including resolution of interpersonal and/or performance-related issues
• Identifying section needs, developing and designing objectives, aligning resources, and implementing strategies to achieve measurable results.
• Delegating work amongst a dedicated team of supporting staff
• Demonstrating reliability, integrity, fairness, and credibility in actions and motivating others to exhibit the same qualities.

 Strategic Planning

• Collaborate with colleagues to align Grant- funding opportunities with Capital Improvement Program strategies and objectives.
• Use management skills to ensure the roll-out of organizational initiatives are delivered on time, on spec, with quality, and within budget.
• Conduct organizational and team assessments to develop and implement successful, proactive workforce and strategic plans.
• Collaborate with multiple stakeholders to prioritize projects for grant application submission.

 Communication

• Communicating professionally with a wide range of stakeholders, including County Board Offices, executive management, county employees, project managers, consultants, contractors, and the public 
• Facilitating inter-agency process improvement initiatives and developing work relationships across County agencies
• Provide routine status updates, presentations and briefings on administration of grant program, opportunities and managed portfolio.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 
Click here to view the complete list of minimum qualifications for the Business Services Administrator position.
 
NOTE: Foreign degrees require an evaluation of U.S. equivalency by an agency that is a member of the National Association of Credential Services (N.A.C.E.S.). 

 
RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Human Resource Services (HRS) will screen all applications to identify qualified applications. After the screening, qualified applicants will be referred to the next step and notified of all further procedures applicable to their status in the competition.
 
Structured Oral Interview | SOI (Weighted 100%)
Applicants will be interviewed and rated by a qualification appraisal panel of job knowledge experts. Each applicant's rating will be based on responses to a series of structured questions designed to elicit the applicant's qualifications for the job.
 
Based on the Department's needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified.  Candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedure.
 
Eligible List
Once the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.