Two foundational things are true at History Colorado: We love Colorado. And we believe in the transformative power of history. We are a people-driven, history-centered movement building a better future. We are stronger when we do this together, building new knowledge and shared meaning that improves lives today and for our descendants.
As an agency of the State of Colorado and a non-profit organization, we are committed to serving all Coloradans. We offer access to our state’s history through enriching experiences at eleven museums and historic sites, with dynamic and relevant exhibits and activities. We work with school groups and young learners through field trips, day camps, and traveling programs. We’re also home to a free public research center, Colorado’s Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (OAHP), and the Colorado State Historical Fund (SHF), the nation’s largest preservation program of its kind. We steward 15 million objects, photographs, and archival resources that make up the State’s collection, and serve tens of thousands of learners of all ages through dynamic programs.
We strive to be a place of belonging for all Coloradans. We’re committed to Colorado’s diverse communities through education, engagement, and access. We know we’re succeeding when more voices, perspectives, and experiences are part of History Colorado. It's our vision that every Coloradan feels rooted, draws strength from those who have come before us, and knows they belong in this place.
In pursuit of a more just and equitable Colorado, we embody the grounding virtues (Download PDF reader) listed below as the foundation of all aspects of our work: our thinking, communication, process, outcomes, and evaluation. Our work is guided by, for, and of the communities we build, belong to, and serve, and we commit to:
Being in Community
Amplifying and Centering Voices of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color
Co-creation and Shared Authority
Humility and Reflection
Responsiveness and Flexibility
Shared Destiny
We are Colorado. Together, our generational work centers communities, deepens knowledge and catalyzes the transformative power of history.
If you are considering a career opportunity with the goal of making a difference, consider joining the dedicated people at History Colorado. We offer fantastic benefits including:
Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401K and 457 plans
Medical and dental health plans: https://stateofcoloradobenefits.com
Employer supplemented Health Savings Account
Paid life insurance, plus additional optional life insurance options
Short- and long-term disability coverage
11 paid holidays per year plus generous vacation and sick leave accruals
BenefitHub state employee discount program
State of Health employee wellness program
Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules and more.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.
Learn more about our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion by visiting our EDI Homepage: https://dpa.colorado.gov/about-us/edi.
The Grants Operations Manager leads the State Historical Fund's post-award grants operations team and is responsible for the overall performance, quality, and continuous improvement of grant administration after award. The position oversees contract administration, payments, closeout, property protections, workflow administration, and operational performance to ensure grants move efficiently from award through closeout while meeting State of Colorado and History Colorado requirements. The manager supervises a functionally organized team responsible for Contract & Procurement, Payment & Closeout, Property Protections, and Systems & Data Administration. The position establishes priorities, balances workloads, develops staff, monitors performance, and collaborates with Resource Specialists, Finance, Procurement, Accounting, Legal, Information Technology, and other History Colorado departments. The position serves as the operational lead for post-award workflow administration within Fluxx, helping improve business processes, reporting, and service delivery while ensuring operational consistency and compliance.
Work Includes but is Not Limited to the Following Lead Post-Award Grant Operations
Lead day-to-day post-award grant operations, including contracts, payments, closeout, property protections, and operational workflows.
Establish operational priorities and monitor workload distribution.
Provide final SHF operational approval for contracts and payment requests before submission to Finance.
Monitor operational performance, contract aging, payment timelines, and service standards.
Resolve operational issues and elevate significant risks when appropriate.
Supervise and Develop the Operations Team
Recruit, hire, onboard, supervise, coach, and develop staff in partnership with the SHF Director.
Assign work, balance workloads, complete performance evaluations, and support staff development.
Foster a collaborative, customer-focused team culture.
Support succession planning and recognize staff accomplishments.
Operational Oversight and Cross-Functional Coordination
Coordinate with Resource Specialists and History Colorado departments including Finance, Procurement, Accounting, Legal, and Information Technology.
Ensure grant administration complies with State fiscal, procurement, contracting, and SHF requirements.
Resolve operational issues through cross-functional collaboration.
Elevate significant compliance or operational risks when appropriate.
Workflow Administration and Continuous Improvement
Serve as the operational administrator for post-award workflows within Fluxx.
Monitor dashboards, reports, and operational performance metrics.
Develop and maintain standard operating procedures and workflow documentation.
Recommend process improvements that increase efficiency, consistency, and customer service.
Competencies (These represent the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities required for success in this position)
Operational leadership: Ability to establish operational priorities, monitor team workloads, and guide day-to-day grant administration workflows.
Staff supervision: Skills to effectively recruit, onboard, manage, coach, and evaluate a functionally organized professional team.
Grant administration: Deep understanding of the operational requirements governing post-award grant processes from contract to closeout.
Contract and fiscal oversight: Ability to review and approve complex contracts and payment requests for compliance with state and departmental rules.
Customer service & Cross-functional collaboration: Exceptional communication skills to build collaborative, trust-based relationships with internal divisions and external community partners.
Process improvement: Proven ability to monitor performance metrics, document standard operating procedures, and recommend workflow improvements.
Workflow management
Communication
Problem solving
Factors to be Evaluated
Technical Operations Leadership: Experience leading grants operations or comparable business operations.
Supervisory Competence: Experience supervising, coaching, and developing professional staff.
Technical Knowledge: Demonstrated knowledge of grants, contracts, procurement, and fiscal compliance.
Process Improvement Capabilities: Proven ability to improve workflows and manage competing priorities.
Interpersonal Communication and customer service skills.
Five (5) years of professional experience in grants administration, grant operations, contract administration, procurement, public administration, fiscal administration, accounting, project management, or a closely related field; OR a combination of education and relevant professional experience equal to six years.
OR
Education (Allowable Substitution):
An Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. degree from an accredited institution in Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, Accounting, or a highly related field will substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis:
Associate’s Degree = substitutes for two (2) years of experience (requires 4 years of remaining professional experience).
Bachelor’s Degree = substitutes for four (4) years of experience (requires 2 years of remaining professional experience).
Master’s Degree = substitutes for six (6) years of experience and meets the requirement in full.
Note: If substituting education, you must attach a legible copy of your college transcripts to your application
Preferred Qualifications
Experience supervising professional staff.
Experience managing grants or public funding programs.
Experience with State of Colorado contracting, procurement, or fiscal processes.
Experience using Fluxx, Excel, CORE, or similar grant/accounting management systems.
Knowledge of historic preservation, public history, archaeology, anthropology, museums, or cultural resource management is a plus but not required.
Demonstrated commitment to customer service and continuous improvement.
Conditions of Employment
Background check required. Occasional statewide travel may be required. Possession of a valid Colorado driver's license may be required throughout the period of employment. Must be willing and able to travel occasionally throughout the state of Colorado.
Application Materials & Instructions
Online Application: Completed in detail, specifically describing your tasks, duties, and accomplishments in your work history. (Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application)Resume: Required attached as a separate document. Cover Letter: Recommended College Transcripts: Required only if education is used to meet minimum qualifications.
This position is not part of the classified personnel system; applications will be accepted from Residents and Non-Residents of Colorado. Incumbent will be required to live in and complete work for History Colorado within Colorado.
History Colorado is committed to anti-racism practices across its institution and outlined in our grounding virtues. As such we encourage members of Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) LGBTQ+ and differently abled communities to apply for this position. To see these virtues click this link: (Anti-Racism Grounding Virtues (Download PDF reader)).
Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application, but will be used to supplement information to the application. Part of the selection process for this position will involve a review of the information you submit in your application materials. Therefore, it is paramount that in the experience portion of your application, you describe the extent that you possess the education, experience and competencies outlined in the job announcement as well as the special and/or preferred qualifications. Failure to include adequate information or follow instructions may prevent you from competing in subsequent measures used to arrive at a top group of applicants.
A pre-employment criminal background check will be conducted as part of the selection process. Felony convictions or conviction of crimes of moral turpitude or convictions of misdemeanors related to job duties may disqualify you from being considered for this position. Should your background check reveal any charges or convictions, it is your responsibility to provide Human Resources with an official disposition of any charges.
Fair Pay & Compensation: History Colorado is committed to pay equity. The posted salary range represents our good faith estimate for this role. Final offers are determined by a comprehensive salary analysis in compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, considering factors such as a candidate’s relevant experience, education, work location and internal equity.
ADAAA Accommodations: History Colorado is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In accordance with the ADAAA, we provide reasonable accommodations to ensure that applicants with disabilities can participate fully in the application and hiring process. If you require an accommodation to complete the application, participate in an interview, or perform any other part of the selection process, please contact our ADAAA Coordinator at Jesus Garcia (303) 866-2136 or email
[email protected]. We are here to ensure you have a positive and accessible experience.
E-Verify Participation: We utilize E-Verify to verify the work authorization of all new team members. Following your job offer, you'll need to complete Section 1 of the I-9 form by your start date. Per federal regulations, we’ll also need to review your original identity and work eligibility documents within your first three days on the job. For more details on your rights and responsibilities, check out dhs.gov/e-verify.
