Contract Manager

Community and Environment Department

RCAC’s environmental staff works with rural water, wastewater and solid waste systems to make them sustainable.  Staff works with the volunteer boards of directors and staff of the small systems to make sure they comply with state and federal regulations and understand the finances and operations of the systems.  Outcomes of RCAC’s work include: system regulatory compliance; access of resources for capital improvement projects; as well as, capacity building of boards and staff on technical, financial and managerial best practices.

Position Description

The Contract Manager (CM) manages a portfolio of grants and contracts to ensure all deliverables are met on time and within budget. In partnership with Grants and Contracts Administration (GCA) and other managers, the CM recommends appropriate programs and level of effort required within regions. Other major responsibilities include monitoring progress toward grant/contract deliverables; preparing and submitting invoices, programmatic reports, and other reports to funders; working with Regional Field Managers to build relationships with funders and conduct outreach to philanthropic partners and state and federal agencies to maintain positive working relationships; and developing and exercising sound judgment both in independent and collaborative decision making.

Specific job goals, objectives and tasks are established for each employee as part of the annual evaluation process. Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Manage grants and contracts assigned (totaling approximately $500,000 annually)
• Plan, develop, and implement budgets for grants/contracts within the CM’s portfolio
• Coordinate submission of and provide quality control for required programmatic reports
• Collaborate with Contract Manager II’s to provide support for the contracts and grants they manage
• Collaborate with management team to set annual goals and priorities for the department
• Collaborate with field managers to develop action plans to ensure deliverables are met
• Prepare other activity and outcome reports as required
• Perform other duties as assigned

Skills and Qualifications

• Ability to develop program implementation plans and track progress Understanding of project management and budgeting principles
• Ability to organize and prioritize work to meet established timelines
• Familiarity with rural and tribal community culture and social norms
• Ability to troubleshoot, innovate and problem-solve
• Proficiency with personal computers including Microsoft Office
• Ability to complete administrative and reporting requirements on time
• Ability to listen and communicate effectively, verbally and in writing
• Ability to work independently and in team environments, and to effectively prioritize multiple tasks

Physical Job Requirements:

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

Work performed in an office requires ability to operate computers and various pieces of office equipment, including telephone. Use may be moderate (average two hours per day) to heavy (four or more hours per day)

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to stand and/or sit for prolonged periods of time; walk; talk; hear; use hand to finger; handle; feel or operate objects, tools or controls; and reach with hands and arms.  The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.

The employee may occasionally lift and or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

This position also requires moderate (up to two days per month) to heavy (up to 10 days per month) automobile and airline travel, including overnight travel.

Preferred Education and Experience:

A combination of experience and education is necessary to qualify for the position. A typical qualifying combination may include:

Experience:

Three years of any combination of applicable experience in community development, grant management, or non-profit management (education may be substituted for experience).

Preferred Education:

Bachelor’s degree (additional qualifying experience may be substituted)

RCAC employees are federally mandated to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment, subject to reasonable accommodation as required by law.