Join King County Parks as our Grant Contracts & Compliance Program Manager (Project/Program Manager III) and help ensure millions of dollars in grant funding are invested equitably to strengthen communities across King County. In this highly collaborative role, you will serve as a subject-matter expert on grant compliance, providing guidance and operational support to internal teams and community partners. If you’re passionate about community impact, skilled in grant administration, and excited to make a difference, we encourage you to apply!
In addition to the current opening, this recruitment may be used to establish a pool of qualified candidates to fill future Project/Program Manager I career service and term-limited temporary openings within the Parks Division or throughout the Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP) over the next six months.
About the Role:
The Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP), Parks Division is seeking a Grant Contracts & Compliance Program Manager (PPM-III) to join the Grant Operations and Administration unit within the Community Investments and Engagement team. As a collaborative partner, you will ensure grant funding is administered with integrity, transparency, and accountability. You will lead efforts to strengthen compliance frameworks and improve grant administration processes.
Key responsibilities include developing and implementing grant compliance frameworks including policies, risk assessment models, reimbursement processes, and contract templates. You will provide technical guidance to internal and external partners on fiscal and contractual compliance, support grant program financial controls, and lead continuous improvements to business processes, policies, and procedures that enhance the effectiveness of Parks grant programs.
This position follows a hybrid work model, blending remote and in-person work.
About the Team:
The Community Investments and Engagement (CIE) Team plays a vital role in advancing King County Parks’ mission to steward, enhance, and expand parks, trails, open spaces, and environmental initiatives that inspire healthy communities throughout King County. Through strong partnerships with local organizations, the team supports community partners in delivering projects that enhance access, equity, and environmental stewardship across the county.
CIE is a collaborative team that administers over $100 million in funding through a diverse portfolio of grant programs, including:
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Youth Amateur Sports Grants (YASG)
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Healthy Communities and Parks Fund (HCPF)
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Parks Capital & Open Space
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Aquatics Facilities
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Open Space and River Corridors
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Ballfield Preservation & Access
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Climate Resilience
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Get Active Stay Active (GASA)
Commitment to Equity, Racial 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 Contracts & Fiscal Compliance Lead (Project/Program Manager III), 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 King County Parks Division of the 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.
What You Will Be Doing:
Lead Grant Compliance Monitoring: Serve as the subject-matter expert on grant contract, fiscal, and programmatic compliance. Develop monitoring tools, provide guidance, and use grant management data to ensure compliance with grant requirements and County policies.
Manage Grant Contract Development: Oversee the development of grant agreement templates and contract documents including scopes of work, budgets, and required administrative materials. Provide technical guidance throughout the grant agreement lifecycle and coordinate contract negotiations and leadership involvement when needed.
Lead Fiscal Compliance and Risk Management: Develop or refine fiscal policies, risk-based monitoring practices, and invoice reimbursement processes in partnership with leadership. Advise staff on cost allowability and risk assessments, deliver annual compliance training and drive process improvements.
Develop Grant Policies and Business Processes: Research best practices, recommend policy enhancements, and support the development and implementation of grant policies, procedures, and process improvements, including responses to audit findings and evolving County requirements.
Provide Training and Technical Assistance: Develop guidance materials and deliver training to staff and grantees on grant administration, contract compliance, fiscal requirements, and program policies.
Lead Special Projects: Manage and support strategic initiatives and other projects as assigned.
Qualifications You Bring:
- Extensive knowledge of grantmaking, grant administration, and grant management policies and practices.
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Experience managing multiple cross-functional projects, including developing project plans, timelines, and stakeholder communication strategies in a fast-paced environment.
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Experience analyzing, developing, implementing, or interpreting administrative policies or procedures and translating requirements into operational guidance, tools, and workflows.
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Experience monitoring fiscal and programmatic grant compliance including reviewing invoices, deliverables, and documenting findings.
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Working knowledge of best practices in fiscal monitoring, financial risk assessment, and/or internal controls for grant management and safeguarding public funds.
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Experience developing or managing grant contracts, scopes of work, budgets, and other grant agreement documents.
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Experience using quantitative and qualitative analysis, data, dashboards, and grant management systems to evaluate programs, identify issues, and support operational decision making.
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Strong written and verbal communication skills, including developing guidance documents, training materials, monitoring reports, and/or presentations.
Competencies You Bring:
Manages Complexity: Making sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
Decision Quality: Making good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward.
Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
Ensures Accountability: Holding self and others accountable to meet commitments.
Plans and Aligns: Planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals.
It Would Be Great if You Also Bring:
Knowledge of or experience in King County grant programs, or similar public agency programs, strongly preferred.
Working Conditions:
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Work Location: The Grant Operations and Administration team 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, Seattle, Washington 98104.
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Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
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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.
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Work Schedule: This full-time position works 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.
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Union Representation: This position is represented by PROTEC17.
Application and Selection Process:
We welcome applications from all qualified applicants. We value diversity, diverse perspectives and life experience and encourage people of all background 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.
To apply, submit a:
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Complete Application with responses to supplemental questions.
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Resume PDF
Note: Additional documents won't be considered during minimum qualification screening.
Who to Contact: For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact Crystal Yost at [email protected].
Discover More About the Parks Division: Visit our website and check us out at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Flickr.
Discover More About DNRP: Visit our website, explore an interactive map of our recent accomplishments and check us out at Facebook, X , 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.
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Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. 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.
King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
To Apply
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions, please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.
