Grants Specialist

Grants Specialist

The City of Urbana is seeking a Grants Specialist to support the Grants Management Division. The position involves a variety of general administrative functions including program management support, monitoring grant recipients and members, preparation of reports, grant application management, and building relationships with non-profit and governmental partners. No prior experience with grants is required, but strong organizational and administrative skills are necessary.

The ideal candidate is someone who is empathetic, maintains professionalism, adheres to schedules and timelines, and follows rules and ethical standards.

The Grants Specialist will implement programs funded through the Department of Housing and Urban Development, including CDBG and HOME Investment Partnership programs. This includes supporting the Housing Rehabilitation program, processing reimbursement requests, communicating program contract requirements, tracking project progress, and conducting outreach to community members and partners.

The specialist will also coordinate City of Urbana grant opportunities for social service agencies, including preparing application forms, notifying agencies about fund availability, providing technical assistance training, assisting with the application review process, processing reimbursement requests, and tracking program data and outcomes.

Additionally, the specialist will implement grants for homeless services and shelter programming, assisting with the preparation of program materials, tracking and reporting progress, and reviewing and processing reimbursement requests.

Required qualifications include any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the necessary knowledge and abilities, such as a bachelor's degree in public administration, urban planning, community development, or equivalent experience, one year of related professional experience, familiarity with HUD grant programs, and a current State of Illinois Class D Driver's License. Preferred qualifications include experience with Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and other related programs.

The City of Urbana offers competitive compensation and benefits, including health, dental, vision, and disability insurance options, flexible spending plans, paid holidays, and generous vacation and sick leave.