Job Title:             Grants Officer - AmeriCorps Texas

Opening Date:   April 12, 2022. Open until filled.

Compensation: $57,000 - $64,000 per year (based on experience), comprehensive benefits and meaningful work in an environment that values excellence.


About OneStar

OneStar’s mission is to strengthen Texas communities by creating pathways for individuals and organizations to engage, connect, and accelerate their impact. For over four decades there has been an acknowledgment by the State of Texas of the critical importance of civic engagement and volunteering to the strength of our communities. From the creation of the Texas Center for Volunteer Action in 1976 to the formation of its eventual successor, OneStar Foundation in 2004, Texas has maintained its support of a strong nonprofit sector.

Today, OneStar carries out its mission for state government as a supporting nonprofit of the Office of the Governor. We serve as the state’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives and the State Service Commission, managing a portfolio of approximately $21.2 million in federal grant funds for AmeriCorps Texas programs. OneStar focuses on strengthening the nonprofit sector, encouraging civic engagement through service and volunteering, and building disaster resiliency across Texas. We are One Texas, united in building resilient and thriving communities.

At OneStar, we are committed to be an exemplary employer, where our employees are our greatest asset. OneStar believes we should model the leadership we hope to see in our communities by embracing a culture and values based on adaptability & learning, diversity, equity & inclusion, partnerships & shared purpose, transparency & trust, and always doing our best work for our fellow Texans.


ABOUT THE POSITION:  GRANTS OFFICER

OneStar Foundation seeks to fill the full-time position of Grants Officer. This position supports the development and implementation of OneStar’s grants portfolio in service and volunteerism. Primary functions are related to supporting OneStar’s role in administering the AmeriCorps Texas program, primarily monitoring compliance with financial management of AmeriCorps Texas grants. The Grants Officer position performs moderately complex professional work under general supervision with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. This position reports to the Manager, AmeriCorps Texas and serves on the AmeriCorps Texas team, currently with 9 people. This position description is planned through December 31, 2024 through support from American Rescue Plan funds. OneStar hopes to continue this position past that date and will continue to assess portfolio needs and funding opportunities.

The successful candidate will be a self-motivated, hands-on, organized professional with a positive, can-do attitude. They must enjoy the challenges and rigors of a growing and evolving service-oriented organization and must enjoy working with a variety of organizations, including faith-based and small grassroots community organizations. Flexibility, focus and commitment to the goals of the organization will be critical.

 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

1.            Works as part of a two-person team structure (1 Program Officer and 1 fiscal-focused Grants Officer per grantee) in development and implementation of OneStar’s service and volunteerism strategies.

2.            Serves as liaison and primary fiscal point of contact for a portfolio of AmeriCorps subgrantees. Grants Officers provide sound fiscal oversight of organizations receiving AmeriCorps Texas grants from OneStar through formal monitoring and day-to-day communication, including analysis of: budgets and financial systems, organizational capacity surveys, internal control reviews, grant narratives, single audit and financial statement audits, pre-award fiscal system and document reviews, expenditure documentation, expenditure and in-kind match documentation, fiscal monitoring reviews, Uniform Grants Guidance, federal regulations, funder directives, grantees policies, procedures, and systems, and verbal and written communication with grantees.

3.            Conducts fiscal monitoring activities and site visits, writes reports of fiscal monitoring findings, and works with involved parties to resolve findings.

4.            Reviews and approves grantee reimbursement requests for consistency and allowability of costs in accordance with OneStar policies and procedures and grant terms and conditions and maintains accurate records of grantee expenditures and fiscal documentation related to compliance, deliverables, and other key performance benchmarks.

5.            Serves as a specialist in assessing grantees’ organizational capacity, financial systems, documentation, and reports, and recommends financial best practices of grants management to current and potential grantees on matters related to financial management of AmeriCorps grants.

6.            Works with the AmeriCorps Texas team to identify non-compliance issues and may develop recommendations to management on steps to resolve non-compliance ranging from corrective action plans to termination of grant awards; develops and monitors corrective action plans for organizations in assigned portfolio.  Keeps manager informed of all significant developments, and immediately alerts management of any possible signs of fraud or mismanagement of funds.

7.            Collects and analyzes data, assists with preparing required reports; communicates data to stakeholders; and manages ongoing grantee risk assessment and system improvement processes.

8.            Reviews and recommends amendments or other revisions to the agreed upon grant deliverables, timelines, budgets, and/or other grant requirements for organizations in assigned portfolio.

9.            Supports the grant making process for AmeriCorps Texas, including grant review and clarification, pre-award risk assessment, post-award monitoring and reporting, and general technical assistance to grantees and potential grantees. 

10.         Provides high quality customer service and proactively provides written and verbal feedback to organizations in assigned portfolio to build relationships and foster continuous improvement.

11.         Assesses and analyzes training and technical assistance needs and continuous improvement issues specific to individual grantees and/or a larger portfolio to ensure high quality/high performing programs. Works with AmeriCorps Texas team to develop training that will provide value to grantees, improving their capabilities, scale and impact.

12.         Engages in research and general reading on issues and events related to OneStar’s mission and federal and financial grants management.

13.         Conducts grant award administration for assigned portfolio of grantees.  Includes preparation and facilitation of the release of grant award and grant amendment documents.  Coordinates, implements, and facilitates grant close out.

14.         May be assigned to develop expertise and manage special projects within a particular focus area, such as AmeriCorps program income, in-kind documentation, other grant compliance issues, or training and resource development.

15.         May represent OneStar at meetings, conferences, events and other functions, including making remarks or presentations.

16.         May facilitate meetings, focus groups, training, or other events with OneStar grantees.

17.         May supervise and/or coordinate the project work of others.

18.         Aligns work duties with the OneStar Mission and Vision.

19.         Exemplifies OneStar Core Beliefs and adheres to the Code of Ethics.

20.         May be assigned to cross-functional teams to support OneStar goals and initiatives.

21.         May perform other duties as assigned consistent with current duties and responsibilities.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1.            2 to 5 years of relevant work experience; at least 3 years of relevant work experience is preferred.

2.            Understanding and commitment to OneStar’s mission and strategies and to all its programs and initiatives.

3.            Understanding and commitment to OneStar’s Core Beliefs and Code of Ethics.

4.            Federal financial grant management experience is strongly preferred.

5.            AmeriCorps experience preferred, but not required.

6.            Experience working with nonprofit organizations is preferred, including faith-based and other grassroots community organizations, and/or other social service sector organizations.

7.            Must thrive in a work environment of significant growth, development, and change.

8.            Willing to travel in Texas, and occasionally to other states, for grantee monitoring visits and special events (approximately 20% time).

9.            Graduation from an accredited university with major coursework in a relevant field preferred; alternatively, equivalent fiscal experience and ability to understand formulaic calculations may be substituted for this requirement.

 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

We encourage anyone meeting 70% or more of the requirements to apply.

1.            Knowledge of best practices in federal grants management.

2.            Knowledge of best practices in budgeting, and/or auditing and fiscal monitoring is preferred.

3.            Knowledge of federal regulations, other federal grant directives, and OMB Uniform Grant Guidance (formerly OMB Circulars) is preferred.

4.            Ability to coach grantees and/or other organizations, particularly related to fiscal compliance issues.

5.            Ability to research, interpret, apply, and communicate complex regulations, policies, and procedures.

6.            Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; to exercise sound judgment in making critical decisions; to analyze complex information and develop plans to address identified issues; and to effectively demonstrate negotiation and facilitation skills.

7.            Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, and provide recommendations.

8.            Ability to manage and prioritize work in an environment of significant growth, development, and change.

9.            A strong passion for supporting a portfolio of organizations with diverse community driven missions, and an ability to work with a variety of organization types (faith-based and community organizations, state/local governments, colleges/universities).

10.         Intellectual curiosity, creativity, high-energy, persistent, quick study, positive attitude.

11.         Excellent time management and organizational skills, detail oriented, and the ability to work both independently with general supervision and as part of a project team.

12.         Strong verbal and written communication skills.

13.         Excellent customer service skills.

14.         Ability to think strategically in relationship building and partnership development.

15.         Ability to relate to, and engender trust with people of different backgrounds, such as different ages, genders, sexual orientations, races, ethnicities, religions or faith backgrounds, political affiliations, disabilities, or socioeconomic status.

16.         Thorough knowledge of Microsoft Office products, specifically Microsoft Excel.

17.         Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and meet multiple deadlines.

18.         Ability to exercise sound judgment in making critical decisions; to analyze complex information and effectively communicate it to others.

19.         Strong interpersonal skills to develop and maintain cooperative, professional, and productive work relationships with others.


EOE. OneStar Foundation is an equal employment opportunity employer.  OneStar prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. OneStar conforms to the spirit as well as to the letter of all applicable laws and regulations.

 

It is the policy of OneStar Foundation to comply with all the relevant and applicable provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). OneStar will not discriminate against any qualified employee or job applicant with respect to any terms, privileges, or conditions of employment, because of a person's physical or mental disability. OneStar will also make reasonable accommodation wherever necessary for all employees or applicants with disabilities, provided that the individual is otherwise qualified to safely perform the essential duties and assignments connected with the job and provided that any accommodations made do not impose an undue hardship on OneStar.

 

This position has been filled. Would you like to see our other open positions?