Grant Administrator

Job Description

Summary

In addition to the current opening, this recruitment may be used to establish a pool of qualified candidates to fill future Grant Administrator career services vacancies within the Department of Natural Resources and Parks over the next 12-months.


Are you a grant administration professional eager to apply your expertise to run a program managing $35 million a year for flood risk reduction, stormwater management, salmon recovery, and habitat restoration? If so, look no further than the Water and Land Resources Division (WLRD)! We are seeking a high-performing Grant Administrator professional that will help advance the innovative and impactful work people and organizations are doing to protect the environment and the people of King County. You will be part of a team of dedicated professionals who support one another and share a mission to protect lives and property through integrated floodplain management.
About the Role:
The Grant Administrator oversees the Steve Bleifuhs Memorial Flood Reduction grants and Subregional Opportunity Fund (SROF) grants from application to close out and manages the Cooperative Watershed Management (CWM) grants after they are awarded. The position exercises a high degree of autonomy and is the face of the grant program to applicants and awardees. Through the grant process, the Grant Administrator learns about the great flood risk reduction, salmon recovery, and habitat restoration work underway around the county and contributes to the success of projects and programs by ensuring the smooth functioning of this vital funding source. This job will bring out your organizational skills, patience and humor in managing a portfolio of over 200 active grants with varying requirements, deadlines, and project types. WLRD, in its role as service provider to the King County Flood Control District, administers the Steve Bleifuhs Memorial Flood Reduction grants, the CWM grants, and the SROF. Combined, these programs award about $35 million annually.

This position follows a hybrid work model, blending remote and in-person work.

About the Team:
The River and Floodplain Management Section (RFMS) of WLRD is a nationwide leader in integrated floodplain management, development of innovative flood risk reduction strategies, and improved river and environmental conditions and solutions across King County’s six major river systems (White, Green, Cedar, Sammamish, Snoqualmie, Skykomish) as well other tributaries and floodplains. RFMS leads a diverse work program to reduce flood risks to the residents of King County in a manner that restores river and floodplain processes, considers equitable outcomes and future conditions related to climate change, and provides a collaborative and engaged professional environment where RFMS staff can grow and thrive. This position will play an integral role in the Section’s success by overseeing grants that ensure the long-term success of multi-benefit and equitable flood risk reduction, floodplain and habitat restoration projects.

Who Are We?
The Water and Land Resources Division (WLRD) is at the forefront of King County’s efforts to protect and restore clean water and healthy habitat and strengthen the resilience of communities, environment, and infrastructure in the face of climate change. We are a dedicated workforce of more than 450 supported by an annual budget of ~$280 million. WLRD has a strong track record of developing innovative strategies to protect working farms and forests, restore habitat, improve water quality, and provide county residents with equitable access to green space. We house the Land Conservation Initiative, which aims to preserve our last, most important lands. Our forestry and agricultural programs help individuals protect their lands and support local food production. We house four salmon recovery forums where we collaborate with scores of partners to plan, design, and build habitat projects. We partner with regional jurisdictions to help residents and businesses reduce the threats posed by production, use, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials. We are the primary service provider to the King County Flood Control District, contributing to flood preparedness and constructing and maintaining facilities that restore rivers and reduce risk. Finally, we provide regional science and laboratory services to an array of customers, maintaining high-quality data sets used to assess water quality and habitat trends, and provide Best Available Science to inform decision making. In two words, we are a watershed utility.

Commitment To Equity and Social Justice:
King County, named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is a diverse and vibrant community that represents cultures from around the world. Our True North is to create a welcoming community where everyone can thrive. We prioritize equity, racial and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. As a Grant Administrator, you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity .

Apply now for a rewarding career at the Water and Land Resource Division of King County Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP). Join our talented workforce in protecting and restoring the natural environment and promoting more resilient, sustainable, and equitable communities. Enjoy training, comprehensive benefits , and growth opportunities.

Job Duties

What You Will Be Doing:
Administer the grant program:

• Lead and implement planning, development and coordination of programs, policies, systems, criteria, and procedures for managing and disbursing grants and contracts.
• Serve as a trusted resource for everyone involved in the grant program, including members of the public, applicants, County technical staff, and leadership and elected officials.
• Drive the annual grant cycle to ensure timely decisions and award distributions.

Manage the grant application, review, and award processes:

• Assist applicants to provide complete applications on time and monitor applications as they are prepared and submitted in the online grant platform.
• Provide technical analysis for grants, including review of project applications, budgets, scopes of work, project schedules, and product deliverables to verify they meet grant program criteria and contract requirements.
• Recruit and coordinate technical review panels and coordinate selection committees comprised of elected and appointed officials.

Administer awards:

• Work with awardees to sign contracts, meet grant requirements, solve problems that arise, and resolve disputes. Oversee online grant management platform.
• Coordinate with finance staff to ensure timely payment of submitted invoices.
  

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Qualifications You Bring:

• Proven experience in successful grant management, including familiarity with all aspects of a grant program and knowledge of grant management principles and practices.
• Demonstrated experience managing projects, including project scoping, project scheduling, and developing and tracking project budgets.
• Demonstrated experience managing all financial aspects of grant programs, including approving and tracking grant budgets, authorizing reimbursement requests, and ensuring adequate documentation of grant expenses.
• Strong writing skills and ability to summarize programs and provide briefing documents for leadership and elected officials.
• Ability to work independently and manage a complex portfolio of grants while navigating the policies, procedures, and culture of a large organization to move grant programs forward.
• A customer service approach and experience working with a diverse population of grant recipients.

Competencies You Bring:

• Customer Focus: Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.
• Resourcefulness: Securing and deploying resources effectively and efficiently.
• Optimizes Work Processes: Knowing the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Communicates Effectively: Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
• Instills Trust: Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.

It Would Be Great if You Also Bring:

• Demonstrated experience with Foundant or similar online grant management platform.
• Demonstrated experience in a natural science field related to salmon recovery, habitat restoration, natural resource management, flood risk reduction, and/or stormwater management.

• Demonstrated understanding of and experience working in situations requiring cross-cultural sensitivity and centering racial equity and social justice principles, and environmental justice.

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions:

• Remote and Onsite Work Details: The River and Floodplain Management Section works in a hybrid model, with days in the office as well as telecommuting. The ratio of remote to onsite work will be dependent on business needs and is subject to change . The primary onsite location is King Street Center, 201 S. Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104.
• Remote Work Location Requirement: Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements. King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment. Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.
• Work Schedule: This full-time position will work a 40-hour work week. This position is exempt from the overtime provision of the Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA) and is not overtime eligible. The typical work schedule is 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday- Friday. Work outside the typical work schedule including early mornings, evenings and weekends may be required from time to time. Participation in flood warning and emergency response programs and activities in support of King County's Flood Warning Center operations is required during flood events.
• Union Representation: T his position is represented by Teamsters Local Union Local 117 .

Application Instructions:
We welcome applications from all qualified applicants. We value diversity, diverse perspectives and life experience and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.

Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness and alignment with the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills essential for this role to determine which candidates may be invited to participate in one or more panel interviews. Please ensure that your application materials clearly detail how your skills and experience meet the minimum qualifications outlined in this posting.

Applications without the following required materials may not be considered for this position.

To apply, submit a:

• Complete Online Application with response to supplemental questions.
• Resume.
• Cover Letter.

Note: Additional documents won't be considered during minimum qualification screening.

Discover More About the Water Land & Resources Division: Visit our website .

Discover More About DNRP: Visit our website , explore an interactive map of our recent accomplishments and check us out at Facebook , X (formerly Twitter) , LinkedIn , TikTok , Instagram , YouTube and Keeping King County Green News .

Sign up for Job Alerts to be notified of additional career opportunities with King County. Select the Natural Resources category for DNRP opportunities and explore other categories of interest.

Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Application Process

If you are interested in pursuing this position and supporting King County’s vision for unified, equitable, and high-performing government, please follow the application instructions carefully. Provide us with your work history as applicable, ensuring that you provide details that highlight your ability to fulfill the requirements for this position.

If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, or you would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process, please contact Isaac Good at (206) 848-0576 or igood@kingcounty.gov .

King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what’s best for themselves and their eligible dependents
• Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
• Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
• Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
• 12 paid holidays each year plus two personal holidays
• Generous vacation and paid sick leave
• Paid parental, family and medical, and volunteer leaves
• Flexible Spending Account
• Wellness programs
• Onsite activity centers
• Employee Giving Program
• Employee assistance programs
• Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
• Training and career development programs

For additional information about employee benefits, visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page .

This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.

NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.

For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.

Closing Date/Time: 10/18/2026 11:59 PM Pacific