Position Overview

This position serves as the Chief Grant Administrator and line assistant; examines and analyzes complex grant issues and develops procedures; serves as a full-line supervisor; and serves as liaison with a variety of federal agencies.

Essential Functions

1. Under general administrative direction of the Chief Accountability Officer, as Chief Grant Administrator and line assistant:

• As a line assistant to the office director, performs highly responsible functions in the coordination and direction of agency grant programs including; develops and maintains on-going communications with other agency units as well as local governments;
• With delegated authority, speaks for the office director office director to commit grant programs to specific courses of action;
• Plans, directs and conducts extensive administrative studies of grant programs.
• Coordinates, reviews and manages difficult and involved investigations of grant applications violations and related issues.

2. As chief grant administrator, examines and analyzes complex grant issues and develops procedures to address:

• Provides recommendations to office director for new statutes and administrative rules to address specific problems or agency goals.
• Ascertains nature of systems to determine means of selection, appropriate inspection periods and extent of inspections.
• Makes initial contact with local agencies to discuss purpose and objections of pre-award inspections.
• Explains standard techniques utilized
• Travels and attends Natural Resources Advisory Board hearings to present agency activities.
• Provides information regarding adequacy and correctness of data presented and procedures used in pre-hearing conferences and during hearings.

3. Serves as full-line supervisor:

• Assigns and reviews work
• Provides guidance and training to assigned staff
• Counsels staff regarding work performance
• Reassigns staff to meet day-to-day operating needs
• Establishes annual goals and objectives
• Approves time off
• Adjusts first level grievances
• Effectively recommends and imposes discipline up to and including discharge
• Prepares and signs performance evaluations
• Determines and recommends staffing needs

4. Serves as liaison with a variety of federal agencies that do or may supply funs, training and technical assistance for grant related activities:

• Assists in the budgetary process by supplying information regarding grant funding.
• Prepares a variety of complex narrative and graphic material designed to explain grant procedures.
• Speaks before various groups to explain grant programs state, federal and local agencies.

5. Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonable within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to completion of four years of college with a degree in public administration, park and recreation administration, planning or closely related field.
2. Requires previous experience equivalent to four years of progressively responsible grant administration experience with extensive working knowledge of Illinois and federal grant requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Three (3) years of extensive knowledge of Illinois state fiscal procedures.
2. Three (3) years of extensive knowledge of Illinois and federal grant requirements.
3. Three (3) years of extensive knowledge of staff utilization, employee notification and employee evaluations.
4. Three (3) years of working knowledge of Grant Accountability and Transparency Act
5. Three (3) years of working knowledge of the understanding of Audit requirements for grantees.
6. Three (3) years of working knowledge of state and federal budgeting
7. Three (3) years of work experience with State accounting systems including but not limited to SAP or other related systems.
8. Three (3) years of extensive working knowledge of Office suite and Grant management systems.

Employment Conditions

All applicants must be able to meet the following Conditions of Employment, with or without reasonable accommodation, to be considered for this position. The State of Illinois complies with federal and state disability laws and will make reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities.

1. Ability to pass background check.
2. Valid driver’s license.
3. Ability to travel as needed.

Agency and Division Statements

DNR Agency Statement

Charged with preserving, protecting, and promoting Illinois’ natural resources, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) employees oversee water, wildlife, wetlands and oil wells, parks, historic sites – and everything in between. Employment opportunities vary greatly, often providing employees the chance to work indoors and out in a dynamic yet relaxed environment. Working for the State of Illinois, IDNR employees receive excellent benefits, including health, vision and dental insurance; a retirement plan and deferred compensation options; state holidays and other time off; as well as pre-tax benefit programs; flexible/remote work schedules may be available in for certain positions.

Office of Grant Management & Assistance

The Office of Grant Management and Assistance is responsible for managing and coordinating the Department's various Recreational Grant In Aid Programs to local government entities. These programs provide federal and state funds to enhance and improve recreational amenities through a competitive selection process. The programs include the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) Program. This funds projects which will provide new recreational facilities such as parks and playgrounds. The Bikeway's Program provides for bike trail enhancement and development. The Boat Access program provides for new and improved boat accesses. The Snowmobile Access & Development program provides for new and improved snowmobile trails and trail access.