Grants Associate (CED Planner II)

JOB SUMMARY:

The Grants Associate (CED Planner II) is a full-time, in-office position supervised by the CED Manager. The Grants Associate will contribute to a wide range of strategic community and economic development planning projects within the Capital Area Economic Development District (CAPEDD) of Oklahoma, which is synonymous with the ACOG four-county region. They will also manage large federal and state grants utilizing digital Grants Management Systems (GMS). The CED Planner II will conduct independent research as required.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate tact, diplomacy, and confidence in interacting with elected officials, local government staff, stakeholders, and the public. Strong communication skills and the ability to navigate complex situations with professionalism are essential for success in this role.

CED DEPARTMENT ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

GRANTS MANAGEMENT

• Oversee all aspects of the $2.7M Rural Economic Action Plan (REAP) grant program, including policy development, application, award, compliance, reporting, and closeout
•  Prepare and submit data and compliance reports for funders and stakeholders
• Conduct regular compliance reviews of grant-funded projects
• Develop and maintain robust organizational systems to track grant activities and documentation
• Monitor grant announcements, Requests for Proposals (RFPs), and Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) from federal agencies and other sources

COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES

• Assist in preparing grant applications for Economic Development Administration (EDA), USDA, Community Development Block Grants (CDBGs), and other federal/state grant applications
• Support community and economic development program implementation, including the Community and Economic Resiliency Initiative (CERI)
• Provide technical assistance to member communities and stakeholders
• Build and maintain relationships with municipal staff, elected officials, and other partners
• Assist in the preparation and implementation of the updated Community Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) to build resilient and sustainable communities throughout the Capital Area Economic Development District (CAPEDD) of Oklahoma (ACOG region)
• Facilitate the coordination of CEDS Advisory Committee meetings and agenda preparation
• Assist in the marketing of My Government Online (MGO) Software to governmental entities on behalf of ACOG
• Assist in the preparation of the monthly Community & Economic Newsletter distributed to our member governments, economic development organizations, and regional partners

TECHNOLOGY & DATA MANAGEMENT

Manage the ACOG GMS to improve processes, analyze data, and generate reports and visualizations; utilize external GMS to submit required documentation

POLICY DEVELOPMENT & BEST PRACTICES

Contribute to the development and refinement of policies, procedures, and best practices for the CED Department

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR CONSIDERATION

• Bachelor’s degree in city & regional planning, public administration, business administration, economics, nonprofit administration or a related field
• Two (2) years of broad community and economic development-related experience with one (1) year of relevant grantmaking and grants management experience is required; two (2) or more years is highly preferred

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Experience with rural community and economic development is a plus
• Experience with Foundant Grant Lifecycle Management (GLM) is highly desirable; experience with other GMS is beneficial
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and other evolving technology is required
• Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) certification with the State of Oklahoma is a plus
• Experience in the public sector, academia, or philanthropy is highly relevant
• Exceptional attention to detail; able to work independently with limited supervision, establish priorities, handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines with a sense of urgency required
• Written and verbal communications skills and the ability to work effectively with fellow staff and ACOG members required
• Effective presentation skills for small and large groups required
• A willingness to follow and adhere to the organization’s policies and procedures required
• Must have a valid OK or other state driver’s license