Grant Analyst

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 320,000 students in 500 schools and employing over 44,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. In order to fulfill this mission, we make three commitments to our students, their families, and all Chicagoans: academic progress, financial stability, and integrity. Six core values are embedded within these commitments – student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning.

The Office of Budget and Grants Management (OBGM) supports the strategic utilization of all resources, aligning them to district priorities by spearheading CPS’ financial strategy to support effective budget planning and maximizing available funds. As part of this work, the formula and competitive grants management team provides oversight of the operations of State, Federal and Local awards to ensure compliance with applicable grant expenditure requirements and performance expectations are being achieved.

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Director of Grants Administration, a Grant Analyst plays a critical role in supporting formula grants and post-award management for a variety of local, state, and federal grant types. The Grant Analyst coordinates the required plans, applications, amendments, and reporting for grants, as connected to district- and department-level strategic plans and priorities. This is a full-time exempt position that will be paid for time worked on a salary basis.

This position will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Develop grant documents, including federal and state grant applications and amendments, and reports to support programs aligned to CPS strategies;

• Review use of grant funds aligned to required planning documents including needs assessments, strategic plans, and continuous improvement work plans (CIs or CIWPs);

• Serve as the state and federal grants “Subject Matter Expert” (SME) to various internal partner departments and stakeholder groups;

• Provide on-site technical assistance and strategy support to schools, networks, and central office groups to maximize the use of grant funds aligned to grant requirements;

• Conduct meetings with department administrators to review programs and spending in accordance with contracts on a regular and/or as needed basis to prevent and resolve grant issues;

• Conduct data analysis and “desktop audit” protocols to actively review and monitor use of state and federal grants

• Support schools, networks, and central office departments to prepare for monitoring visits and reviews, and to remedy grant compliance issues and/or audit findings;

• Assist in the development, presentation, and distribution of written guidelines, procedures, and protocols on allowable and appropriate use of federal and state grant funds;

• Participate in all assigned special projects

• Other duties as assigned.

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, this position must possess the following qualifications:

Education Required:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Finance, Business Management, Public Policy or related field

Experience Required:

• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in budget and grants management, or other related experience is required

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Possess and use critical thinking skills

• Be able to conduct financial analyses using Excel and other financial tools

• Be able to understand programmatic design, goals, and implementation

• Have initiative and follow-through to achieve goals with limited direction

• Be able to write clearly, concisely, and effectively

• Be able to present spreadsheets that are accurate, clear, and efficient

• Be willing and able to work with colleagues within and external to the Office and provide back-up and support to others within the Office

• Be able to work well under pressure

• Be willing to occasionally work extended hours in order to complete projects with condensed timeline

• Be committed to work in public service/education field

Conditions of Employment

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:

• Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency - Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district. The Chicago residency requirement does not apply to temporary/part-time positions, however, all CPS employees must be residents of Illinois.