Grants Director

Grants Director

Recruitment #2022-02-A068

This is a Full-time, Exempt, Non-represented position.

Location: Natural Resources Building, Olympia

The first review of this position will be two weeks after posting (February 14, 2022). The hiring authority reserves the right to make a hiring decision at any time. It is in the applicant's best interest to submit material as soon as possible.

Want to join something GREAT and make a difference?

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has an exciting opportunity within our Executive Division. Work for Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz and the Department of Natural Resources to develop and implement policies that will lift up all Washingtonians. This includes advancing bold, forward-thinking initiatives that support both rural and urban economies, tackle the biggest challenges facing our forests and public lands, and build stronger, healthier and more equitable communities. Our public lands provide a wide array of benefits to our state and communities, including hundreds of millions of dollars for schools, hospitals, and libraries, ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration and flood mitigation, and special places to support human health and enjoy the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Under the leadership of Commissioner Franz, the agency is expanding opportunities that protect our lands and waterways and benefit our communities.

This position supports DNR and Commissioner Franz's vision through the proactive development and successful execution of a federal and philanthropic grants strategy to advance the agency's policies and programs. And ensure that issues related to proposed or enacted non-state funding opportunities, grants management and advocacy, and community engagement and partnerships are appropriately monitored, communicated and known across the agency.

The Grants Director serves at the pleasure of the Commissioner and reports directly to the Policy Director/Chief Resilience Officer. They contribute to the agency with Grants strategy development, policy coordination and implementation, and grants management expertise and support. The Grants Director will be responsible for development and successful implementation of DNR's proactive strategy to attract and maintain non-state funding resources to accelerate the impacts of DNR policies and programs to meet agency goals on equity and environmental justice related to SB 5141/The HEAL Act and to address the challenges of building a climate resilient state, and mitigating hazards, conducting natural resources education and workforce development, and outdoor recreation. This role will support funding environmental justice practices within the agency and build an emerging portfolio of work to resource DNR's expanding equity focused work plans.

Defining Environmental Justice

The HEAL Act establishes a definition for Washington that builds on the Environmental Protection Agency's definition of environmental justice:

"Environmental justice means the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, rules, and policies. Environmental justice includes addressing disproportionate environmental health impacts in all laws, rules, and policies with environmental impacts by prioritizing vulnerable populations and overburdened communities, the equitable distribution of resources and benefits, and eliminating harm."

Early opportunities include:

• Working cross-agency to identify and prioritize "shovel worthy" projects including infrastructure improvements and facilities and fleet investments that support agency goals and support highly impacted and overburdened communities.
• Developing a non-state funding strategy in support of SB 5141/The HEAL Act Implementation and focused on equity and environmental justice, forest health and wildfire risk reduction, recovery and watershed resilience, rural economic development, climate action and clean energy, air quality, urban forestry, outdoor recreation, and increased resilience of Washington's lands, waters and communities.
• Work with agency programs including Washington Geological Survey, Wildfire Resources, and Forest Resilience to seek FEMA's Hazard Mitigation and BRIC grant opportunities to implement DNR's existing plans including our Plan for Climate Resilience (2020) focused in highly impacted and overburdened communities.

Responsibilities:

• Provide subject matter expertise on federal, state and philanthropic grant activities.
• Maintain strong knowledge of federal, state, and non-governmental funding landscape and grant reporting processes.
• Lead the development and implementation of a federal, state, local and philanthropic grants strategy to implement SB 5141/The HEAL Act priorities, within the agency's programs.
• Work with Equity and Environmental Justice Director, Federal Affairs Director, Legislative Director and External Affairs Director, programs staff, community partners and stakeholders to advocate for grant funding.
• Assess, in partnership with executive staff including Chief Financial Officer, State Forester and State Geologist actions to prioritize agency grants strategy and environmental justice outcomes.
• Develop and maintain appropriate lines of communication with federal, state, and non-governmental funding entities to promote DNR policy and proposals with available funding opportunities and institutions.
• Develop agency-wide procedure to monitor federal, state and non-governmental activities which could result in grant opportunities.
• Develop agency-wide process to disseminate federal, state and non-governmental grant opportunities to agency leadership and coordinate ongoing implementation of grants strategy with agency leadership.
• Oversee coordination of DNR's responses to Hazard Mitigation, Building Resilience Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC), Volunteer Fire Assistance, Urban and Community Forestry, Outdoor Recreation and other federal funding programs in coordination with program directors and other state agencies, where applicable.
• Ensure compliance with grant funding agreement conditions and reporting requirements by coordinating across internal and external partners, agencies, and departments.

Required Qualifications:

• At least 5 years of experience developing and implementing grant programs.
• Demonstrated leadership related to the full spectrum of creating, managing, and completing Federal grant opportunities. This includes financial program analysis, compliance, policy development and innovation, community and stakeholder engagement.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the federal, state, and/or philanthropic grant making processes and experience in government/philanthropic partnerships.
• Proven experience writing, securing, and managing federal grants of more than $5 Million.
• Expertise in environmental justice practices and programs.
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal and state regulatory processes. Knowledge of federal regulatory rules, guidelines, enforcement and administration.
• Experience working with diverse communities and stakeholders in complex policy and program delivery settings.
• Ability to think strategically while implementing and executing on initiatives and appropriately influencing outcomes.
• Strong written, verbal and graphic communication skills including briefing memos, presentations and public speaking.
• Ability to analyze proposed legislation and/or regulations to determine impacts on funding opportunities for the agency.
• Expertise drafting grants strategies or prioritization frameworks working with multi-sectoral leadership.
• Demonstrated experience successfully working alongside, building and managing relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including business and private industry partners, Tribes, government officials, agency staff, senior managers, and the public in the pursuit of broad public policy goals.
• Ability to apply a racial equity and justice lens to your work.
• Ability to understand larger historical, social, economic, and political context of natural resources and resilience issues in Washington and the United States.
• Active listening skills as demonstrated by the ability to resolve conflicts; receive and convey ideas, thoughts and information.
• Ability to manage multiple short-term and long-term projects simultaneously.
• Ability to work as part of a team as well as coordinate, facilitate, and manage the work for ad hoc teams formed from cross-agency resources.
• DNR Core Competencies:
• Personal Accountability
• Value Others
• Compassionate Communication
• Inspire Others
• Commitment to Excellence
  
• All employees of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Vaccination status will be verified at the time an offer of employment is made. An accommodation may be available for individuals who have a sincerely held religious belief or a medical reason for not receiving the COVID-19 vaccination, based on the essential functions of this position.

Our ideal candidate will also have the qualifications listed below:

• A Bachelor's Degree or higher in political science, law, public policy, business administration, communications, environmental science, finance, accounting, or another field relevant to the position's responsibilities OA at least 5 years of relevant experience may substitute for a degree.

About the Department of Natural Resources(DNR).

At DNR we approach our work through the lens of making Washington a better place environmentally and are dedicated to serving Washington's lands and communities through diversity, equity and inclusion. With nearly 1,500 employees in locations throughout Washington, we manage and protect more than 5 million acres of state-owned forest, range, commercial, agricultural and aquatic lands.

Our Vision-Our actions ensure a future where Washington's lands, waters, and communities thrive.

Our Mission-Manage, sustain, and protect the health and productivity of Washington's lands and waters to meet the needs of present and future generations.

Our Core Values:

• Safety and Well-Being -Our top priority is the safety of the public and our employees.
• Public Service -We value and respect the public we serve, and we value and respect the people of the Department of Natural Resources who step up to serve.
• Innovation and Creative Problem-Solving - We solve our state's most pressing challenges through innovative thinking, dedication, and bold and creative vision.
• Leadership and Teamwork -We are committed to building leaders at all levels and building teams for success.

DNR provides excellent benefits, a few of those include:

• Commitment to organizational health and wellness
• Work/life balance
• DNR Employee Resource Groups (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council, Women's Employee Resource Group, Veterans Employee Resource Group, etc.)
• Statewide Employee Business Resource Groups, visit here to learn more
• Leadership that empowers and supports employees
• Professional development opportunities
• Educational and career development aid
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligibility
• Opportunities to participate in wildland fire suppression assignments
• A comprehensive benefit package that includes employer contributions toward health insurance, paid holidays, retirement plans, sick leave and vacation days. Visit http://careers.wa.gov/benefits.html for more information.

Application Requirements:

• To be considered you must apply online at www.careers.wa.gov (Click on the APPLY button above). You must complete the entire online application to be considered for the position.
• Attach a letter of interest describing how your experience and qualifications relate to the position profile and the position required, desired and special requirements.
• Attach a resume describing your experience and qualifications.
• Provide three to five professional references - you may attach a document, use the References text field in the online application, or include with resume.
• Complete all supplemental questions.

Additional Information:

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, telework (mobile-work) is expected for most office activities. When approved to return, staff are expected to report to their assigned duty station for work activities or may be approved for telework based on DNR's telework policy.

This recruitment may be extended and may also be used to fill future similar vacancies for up to sixty (60) days.

Veterans wishing to claim Veteran's preference please attach a copy of your DD-214, NGB-22 or other verification of military service. Please black out your social security number prior to attaching. We thank you and are grateful for your service!

Persons needing accommodation during the screening process or this announcement in an alternative format may contact DNR Recruiting staff at (360) 522-2500 or (360) 522-0143 or by email at DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov. Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington State Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) at 1-800-833-6388 or www.washingtonrelay.com.

DNR is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind.

Check us out on: DNR's website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | WordPress

Questions? Please contact Marissa Aho at(360) 515-8087,Marissa.aho@dnr.wa.gov or e-mail us at DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov

Once you submit your online application, you can check your status by logging into your account. If you experience technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application call NEOGOV toll-free at (855)524-5627 or email CareersHelp@des.wa.gov.