Preparedness Grants & Program Manager

As part of the Office of the Governor, the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) works with local, state, and federal agencies, in partnership with the private sector and faith-based community, to protect life and property against man-made and natural emergencies. In addition, GEMA/HS employees are on 24- hour call statewide to assist local authorities when disaster strikes.

GEMA/HS is seeking a dynamic leader with a broad depth and breadth of experience in federal grants and finance to manage the Preparedness Grants and Programs unit of the Homeland Security Division.  The Preparedness Grants and Programs units manages 12 grants across multiple federal agencies.  Applicants must have strong oral and written communication skills; a can do, problem solving approach; experience dealing with executive management and senior level external stakeholders; demonstrated capability leading high performing teams; and expertise in the world of grants. 

The Preparedness Grants and Programs manager leads preparation of a full range of grant proposals; administers and oversees ongoing grant programs and related funds;  research service needs and compatible funding sources; and prepares grant proposals or contracts.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

• Supervises and plans work of assigned staff
• Provides leadership, direction, and management to a team of Grants Specialists who are administering grants to eligible recipients across the State.
• Maintains a strong knowledge of all program areas within Preparedness Grants and Programs Division.
• Provides programmatic support for grant subrecipients, ensures excellent customer service, and streamlines the timelines for reimbursements and applications whenever possible.
• Coordinates the audit of expenditures of grant funds to ensure that funds are spent in accordance with state and federal grant regulations according to stipulation, and deadlines are met
• Functions as the primary contact and maintains a detailed database of financial information
• Oversees the administration of and/or awards funds on behalf of agency or other grantors
• Provides on-the job training and performance coaching for assigned staff
• Provides technical/topical expertise, information, planning and problem resolution for grant related activities
• Supervises preparation and administration of grants, applications, fees and budgets, compliance, procurement, and related education
• Responsibilities include productivity planning and evaluation, staff activity, and performance evaluation of staff.
• Requires exercise of independent judgment and initiative to perform a variety grants management functions.

The Preparedness Grants and Programs Manager prepares and implements policies and procedures to ensure compliance through desktop monitoring and field visits. The manager examines entries, statements, expenditures and other funds management and financial records, documents and systems of agencies or other establishments to ensure financial accuracy, consistent reporting, and legal/program compliance.

Other duties include:

• Maintaining financial accountability and compliance of grant programs through comprehensive audits, monitoring visits, financial records review, review of expenditures, and documented program outcomes
• Monitoring financial performance and related data
• Oversees personnel applying state and federal fiscal guidelines, and agency policies to establish tables/records of accounts or financial transactions and grant summaries, review financial data, and assign entries or apply accounting control measures to proper accounts
• Manages the setup of records and grant summaries for new grant awards and provide information and assistance in grant closeouts.
• Preparing and assisting in maintaining grants management records, including the grants management system.
• Responding to inquiries or provides information to management and third parties.
• Preparing or assisting in the preparation of reports and grant summaries
• Providing support to auditors and other reviewers
• Reviewing sub-grantee files to determine compliance history and to identify potential problems
• Scheduling appropriate compliance reviews in a timely manner
• Conducting entrance conferences with sub-grantee management to explain compliance visit procedures and to request necessary compliance documentation
• Gathering data to determine compliance with applicable guidelines through on-site interviews with sub-grantee staff and/or clients, observation of procedures, inspection of equipment, and review of applicable records
• Compiling reports of findings and deficiencies with appropriate evidence to support findings
• Recommending corrective actions if appropriate
• Providing consultation and technical assistance to sub-grantee personnel and other interested parties in meeting compliance requirements and planning corrective actions
• Working in the State Operations Center during state-level activations.
• Other duties as assigned

The successful candidate will demonstrate competency in the following areas at an exceptional level:

• Financial or grants team supervisory and management skills and experience
• Project management
• Finance and accounting
• Grant Management
• Verbal, written, and interpersonal communication
• Reasoning, planning, and evaluation
• Application of technology to tasks to improve results
• Customer service

THIS POSITION REQUIRES STATEWIDE TRAVEL (mostly day trips from the Atlanta office with 1-2 trips a month). This position is also subject to call out without notice in emergency situations. During activations night and weekend hours may be required.

Additional Information:

Please include in your resume or attachments a list of the computer applications you know how to use and your level of skill in each program. 

The selected candidate will be required to pass a background investigation as a condition of employment. Items that may be examined in a background check include but are not limited to: credit records, criminal records, education records, past employers, military records, state licensing/certification records, and driving records.

Agency Specific Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business or Public Administration, Accounting, Finance, or a closely related field
• Experience preparing program budgets, monitoring related expenditures, and completing associated grant documents.
• Experience that has resulted in a strong knowledge of federal grant requirements and regulations.
• Professional level work experience in planning, emergency management preparedness, or response and recovery activities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Business or Public Administration, Accounting, Finance, Emergency Management or a closely related field
• Workday or PeopleSoft Financials experience
• State of Georgia budget and accounting experience
• Implementation of federal regulations;
• Past work experience in local, regional, state or federal government or with a public agency;
• Policies and procedures for federal and state grant administration; and
• Experience in federal grant application and post-award administration
• Federal grants program supervisory experience
• Knowledge of federal grant guidelines as they pertain to 2 CFR Part 200 

Qualifications - External

Bachelor's degree in business, public administration, finance or related areas from an accredited college or university AND seven years of experience in grants management, public funds administration, accounting or a closely related

Note: External candidates must have either 1) significant State of Georgia experience in grants, finance, or public administration; 2) significant federal experience in grants administration; 3) significant experience in FEMA administered grants from another state, county or entity.