Grant Financial Specialist

Lower Shore Workforce Alliance (LSWA), a division of the Tri-County Council for the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland, Salisbury, MD

The Lower Shore Workforce Alliance (LSWA) envisions a community where job seekers, educational and training institutions, businesses, and non-profit institutions come together to strengthen workforce readiness programs and employ residents at livable wages in Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester (which includes Ocean City, MD) Counties.  LSWA-funded programs support workforce development initiatives including Workforce Innovative Opportunity Act (WIOA) programmatic funding. Residents of the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland benefit from the state and federal grant-funded investment in training and jobs for the short and long term. LSWA targets historically underserved populations and areas, communities of color, women, and other groups facing labor market barriers.    As we enter the post-pandemic era, funds for training initiatives, on-the-job training, and supportive services are being made available to meet the multi-industry demand for workers in this region.

Summary of Work:

The Lower Shore Workforce Alliance (LSWA) Grants Financial Specialist manages the financial administration of multiple federal, state, and private grants. This role owns grant budgeting, expenditure tracking, financial reporting, and fiscal compliance across all funded programs. The Grants Financial Specialist works directly with the LSWA Director and coordinates closely with the Department of Finance to ensure grant funds are allocated, monitored, and reconciled in accordance with funder requirements and applicable federal and state regulations.

The Grants Financial Specialist prepares and submits financial reports (monthly, quarterly, annual, and final) to funding agencies, maintains audit-ready financial records, monitors grant spending against approved budgets, and supports the development of budgets for new and renewing grant proposals. This position requires strong financial acumen, attention to regulatory detail, and the ability to translate complex funding rules into accurate, compliant financial practice.

Specifictasksinclude:

• Develop, monitor, and reconcile budgets for multiple concurrent federal, state, and private grants.
• Track grant expenditures against approved line-item budgets and flag variances for the LSWA Director.
• Prepare and submit monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports to funding agencies in the required formats.
• Ensure grant spending complies with funder regulations, including 2 CFR 200 (Uniform Guidance) and applicable state/local fiscal requirements.
• Process and code grant-related invoices, drawdowns, and reimbursement requests in coordination with the Department of Finance.
• Maintain organized, audit-ready financial documentation for all active and closed-out grants.
• Support annual single audits and funder monitoring visits by preparing financial schedules and responding to auditor requests.
• Reconcile grant ledgers against the general ledger and resolve discrepancies in a timely manner.
• Manage indirect cost allocations, cost-sharing/match requirements, and time-and-effort reporting.
• Assist in developing budgets and budget narratives for new and renewal grant proposals.
• Monitor grant balances and spend-down timelines to minimize the risk of lapsed or unspent funds.
• Maintain effective tracking and monitoring systems (e.g., budget-to-actual dashboards) using spreadsheet and accounting software.
• Other Job Duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position does not have any supervisory responsibilities.  This position reports to the LSWA Director.

Competencies
To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

Intellectual

• Analytical
  • Synthesizes complex or diverse information
  • Collects and researches data
  • Uses intuition and experience to complement data
  • Designs work flows and procedures. Documents all steps in procedures.
• Design
  • Generates creative solutions
  • Translates concepts & information into images
  • Uses feedback to modify designs
  • Applies design principals
  • Demonstrates attention to detail
• Problem Solving
  • Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner
  • Gathers and analyzes information skillfully
  • Develops alternative solutions
  • Works well in group problem solving situations
  • Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics
• Project Management
  • Develops project plans
  • Coordinates projects
  • Communicates changes and progress
  • Complete projects on time and budget
  • Manages project team activities
• Technical Skills
  • Assesses own strengths and weaknesses
  • Pursues training and development opportunities
  • Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills
  • Shares expertise with others

Interpersonal

• Customer Service
  • Manages difficult or emotional customer situations
  • Responds promptly to customer needs
  • Solicits customer feedback for service and assistance
  • Meets commitments
• Interpersonal Skills
  • Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming
  • Maintains confidentiality
  • Listens to others without interrupting
  • Keeps emotions under control
  • Remains open to others’ ideas and tries new things
• Oral Communication
  • Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations
  • Listens and gets clarification
  • Responds well to questions
  • Demonstrates group presentation skills
  • Participates in meetings
• Written Communication
  • Writes clearly and informatively
  • Edits work for spelling and grammar
  • Varies writing style to meet needs
  • Presents numerical data effectively
  • Able to read and interpret written information
• Teamwork
  • Balances team and individual responsibilities
  • Exhibits objectivity and openness to others’ views
  • Gives and welcomes feedback
  • Contributes to building a positive team spirit
  • Puts success of team above own interest
  • Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives
  • Supports everyone’s efforts to succeed

Leadership

• Visionary Leadership
  • Displays passion and optimism
  • Inspires respect and trust
  • Mobilizes others to fulfill the vision
  • Provides vision and inspiration to peers and subordinates

• Change Management
  • Develops workable implementation plans
  • Communicates changes effectively
  • Builds commitment and overcomes resistance
  • Prepares and supports those affected by change
  • Monitors transition and evaluates results
• Leadership
  • Exhibits confidence in self and others
  • Inspires and motivates others to perform well
  • Effectively influences actions and opinions of others
  • Accepts feedback from others
  • Gives appropriate recognition to others
• Quality Management
  • Looks for ways to improve and promote quality
  • Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness

Organization

• Business Acumen
  • Understands business implications of decisions
  • Aligns work with strategic goals

• Cost Consciousness
  • Works within approved budget
  • Develops and implements cost saving measures
  • Contributes to profits and revenue
  • Conserves organization resources
• EEO
  • Demonstrates knowledge of EEO Policy
  • Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences
  • Promotes a harassment-free environment
• Ethics
  • Treats people with respect
  • Keeps commitments
  • Inspires the trust of others
  • Works with integrity and ethically
  • Upholds organizational values
• Organizational Support
  • Follows policies and procedures
  • Completes administrative tasks correctly and on time.
  • Supports organization’s goals and values
  • Benefits organization through outside activities
  • Supports affirmative action and respects diversity
• Strategic Thinking
  • Develops strategies to achieve organizational goals
  • Understands organization’s strengths & weaknesses
  • Analyzes market and competition
  • Identifies external threats and opportunities
  • Adapts strategy to changing conditions

Self-Management

• Judgement
  • Displays willingness to make decisions
  • Exhibits sound and accurate judgement
  • Supports and explains reasoning for decisions
  • Includes appropriate people in decision-making process
  • Makes timely decisions
• Motivation
  • Sets and achieves challenging goals
  • Demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles
  • Measures self against standard of excellence
  • Takes calculated risks to accomplish goals
• Planning/Organizing
  • Prioritizes and plans work activities
  • Uses time efficiently
  • Plans for additional resources
  • Sets goals and objectives
  • Organizes or schedules other people and their tasks
  • Develops realistic action plans
• Professionalism
  • Approaches others in a tactful manner
  • Reacts well under pressure
  • Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position
  • Accepts responsibility for own actions
  • Follows through on commitments
• Quality
  • Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness
  • Looks for ways to improve and promote quality
  • Applies feedback to improve performance
  • Monitors own work to ensure quality
• Quantity
  • Meets productivity standards
  • Completes work in timely manner
  • Strives to increase productivity
  • Works quickly
• Safety and Security
  • Observes safety and security procedures
  • Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines
  • Reports potentially unsafe conditions
  • Uses equipment and materials properly
• Adaptability
  • Adapts to changes in the work environment
  • Manages competing demands
  • Changes approach or method to best fit the situation
  • Able to deal with frequent change, delays or unexpected events
• Attendance/Punctuality
  • Is consistently at work and on time
  • Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent
  • Arrives at meetings and appointments on time
• Dependability
  • Follows instructions, responds to management direction
  • Takes responsibility for own actions
  • Keeps commitments
  • Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals.
  • Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan
• Initiative
  • Volunteers readily
  • Undertakes self-development activities
  • Seeks increased responsibilities
  • Takes independent actions and calculated risks
  • Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities
  • Asks for and offers help when needed
• Innovation
  • Displays original thinking and creativity
  • Meets challenges with resourcefulness
  • Generates suggestions for improving work
  • Develops innovative approaches and ideas
  • Presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others’ attention

Qualifications

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential financial duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

•  Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field, and four (4) years of progressively responsible financial experience, of which at least one (1) year involved grant budgeting, expenditures, or procurement — preferably in a government, non-profit or post-secondary setting.
• Or a Master's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field, and three (3) years of progressively responsible financial or grants-management experience, of which at least one (1) year involved grant budgeting, expenditures, or procurement — preferably in a government, non-profit or post-secondary setting.
• Demonstrated experience managing budgets for federal, state, or privately funded grants.
• Working knowledge of Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) and other applicable grant compliance frameworks.
• Strong knowledge of accounting and budgeting principles and financial reporting standards for grant-funded programs.
• Proficiency with financial and spreadsheet software relevant to the field (e.g., QuickBooks Profit & Loss financial systems, Microsoft Excel).
• Ability to manipulate, analyze, and interpret complex statistical and financial information.
• Ability to develop and manage effective budget tracking and monitoring systems.
• Ability to manage multiple grant budgets and competing financial deadlines with clarity and efficiency.
• Ability to work independently and respond calmly to complex or urgent fiscal issues.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to explain financial data to non-financial stakeholders.
• Ability to work effectively with program staff, LSWA leadership, and the Department of Finance
• Attendance at Quarterly Finance meetings and monthly LSWA staff meetings is required, held at the Lower Shore Workforce Alliance–American Job Center in Salisbury, MD

Language Skills

• High-level skills: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret financial reports, business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, and government regulations. Ability to write financial reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to present financial information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, funders, and the general public.
• Highest-level skills: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret the most complex financial and legal documents. Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive financial inquiries, funder audits, or compliance issues. Ability to prepare and deliver persuasive financial presentations on complex or sensitive topics to senior management, funders, and the Board of Directors

Mathematical Skills

• Intermediate skills – Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, proportions and percentages. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra.

Reasoning Ability

• Very high skills – Ability to solve practical problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Computer Skills

• Expert knowledge of major office computer and spreadsheet software related to the field of work (Quickbooks – Profit and Loss Financial Systems, Microsoft Excel)

Other Skills and Abilities

Working knowledge of the State of Maryland and federal regulations (OMB, 2CFR200, Edgar)

Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Stand – None, less than 1/3
• Walk – None, less than 1/3
• Sit - – 1/3 to 2/3
• Use hands to finger, handle or feel 1/3 to 2/3
• Reach with hands and arms 1/3 to 2/3
• Climb or balance– less than 1/3
• Stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl-less than 1/3
• Talk or hear 1/3 to 2/3
• Taste or smell – None
• Lift weight or exerts force
  • Up to 10 pounds – less than 1/3
  • Up to 25 pounds – less than 1/3
  • Up to 50 pounds – None
  • Up to 100 pounds – None
  • More than 100 pounds – None

• Physical Demands
  • Close vision
  • Distance vision
  • Color vision
  • Peripheral vision
  • Depth perception
  • Ability to adjust focus

Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Environmental Conditions
  • Wet or humid conditions (non-weather) – None
  • Work near moving mechanical parts – less than 1/3
  • Work in high, precarious places – None
  • Fumes or airborne particles – None
  • Toxic or caustic chemicals – None
  • Outdoor weather conditions – None
  • Extreme cold (non-weather) – None
  • Extreme heat (non-weather) – None
  • Risk of electrical shock – None
  • Work with explosives – None
  • Risk of radiation – None
  • Vibration – None
• Noise level in the work environment is usually
  • Very quiet conditions
  • Quiet conditions
  • Moderate noise