Grants Associate*

Job Summary

The College of Lake County is seeking a Grants Associate* to join the team at our Lakeshore Campus in Waukegan, IL. This role is pivotal in ensuring the financial accountability for the Climate Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) grant.

The Grants Accounting Associate will lead the monitoring and coordination of grant expenditures, focusing on meticulous financial tracking of activities, budgets, and financial information.

This position involves high-level collaboration with the Executive Director of Workforce Initiatives, the Grant Manager, and grant partners.

Responsibilities include managing financial activities, monitoring the grant budget, work with internal and external partners to put together purchasing plans, inputting requisitions, approving purchases / expenditures, and coordinating with partner organizations to ensure adherence to budget and contractual agreements.

The Grants Accounting Associate will also support additional grant-related activities and other staff working on the grant.

Why choose the College of Lake County for your next opportunity? The College of Lake County (CLC) offers a competitive salary, excellent benefits that includes Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois health, Delta Dental and Superior Vision insurance plans, tuition support for employees and qualified family members, three retirement plans, disability, group and supplemental life insurance, health and dependent care flexible spending account plans, a compressed work week in the summer (Closed Fridays!!), generous vacation, sick and personal time off and 14 paid holidays each year.

Some benefits will not be available for part-time employees (ex : health insurance).

CLC is a comprehensive community college located in northeastern Illinois committed to being an innovative educational institution providing life-changing paths for our students by offering exceptional learning experiences.

CLC achieved a milestone in 2023 with its designation as a Leader College. This national recognition awarded by the Achieving the Dream Network is the result of improved student outcomes through the CLC’s relentless commitment to transformational change and the implementation of innovative practices within the student success model over the past few years.

CLC aspires to be a place where every student succeeds, every employee thrives, so that every business achieves and every community grows.

Our mission is to be innovative and value-driven in supporting student success through developing and encouraging employees of all backgrounds on their journey toward achieving personal and professional growth. Required Qualification(s)

• High school diploma or equivalent and a minimum of four (4) years’ work-related experience or an Associate’s Degree a minimum of two (2) years’ work-related experience
• Intermediate Excel skills
• Demonstrated ability to utilize computer technology to access data, maintain records, generate reports and communicate with others.
• Excellent communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to work independently
• Strong organizational, follow up and follow through skills.
• Prioritization and time management skills.
• Ability to work in a highly collaborative environment.
• Proven ability to work effectively and constructively with persons of diverse cultures, language groups, and abilities;
• demonstrate sensitivity to and ability to work with the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, faculty, and staff, including those with disabilities;

establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Desired Qualification(s)

• Experience in recordkeeping
• Experience maintaining grant records and informational database

Summary of Essential Functions Department Operations and Processes : 50% 1. Collaborate with faculty and staff to input purchase orders and requisitions into the College budgeting system, ensuring accuracy and adherence to financial protocols.

2. Regularly review and track all financial transactions to ensure alignment with the approved budget and grant requirements.

3. Evaluate and authorize expenditures related to the CEJA grant, ensuring compliance with College and State financial guidelines and policies.

4. Perform monthly reconciliations of the grant budget, identifying and resolving discrepancies to maintain financial integrity.

5. Work closely with partner organizations to ensure their financial activities align with the CEJA budget and contractual agreements.

6. Oversee the distribution of benefits to clients, ensuring compliance with grant guidelines and efficient delivery of services.

7. Coordinate and collaborate with the College Grant Accountant ensuring compliance with College and State financial guidelines and policies.

Data Entry and Reporting : 35% 1. Enter financial and client data into college, partner, and State databases.2. Establish and manage processes for accurate and timely data collection, maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of information.

3. Guarantee that all grant financial data is accurately recorded and reported to relevant stakeholders.4. Assist staff on regular analysis of financial data to assess grant progress and attainment of financial goals.

5. Assist the Executive Director in responding to financial reports and high-level information requests.6. Assist the Grant Manager to compiling a detailed quarterly financial report to CLC management and external partners.

Stakeholder / Customer / Student Service : 10% 1. Coordinate with partners and staff to support clients financially throughout their participation in CEJA programs, ensuring their needs are met and financial goals achieved.

2. Support the grant by responding to college reports and high-level information requests.

Other : 5% 1. Participate on strategic and / or functional cross-departmental teams, committees and councils at the request of the division or unit leaders.

2. Perform other related functions and projects as determined by the needs of the Executive Director of Workforce Initiatives.

3. Perform any and all other duties assigned that support the mission, vision, values and strategic initiatives of College of Lake County and goals of the department, division and unit of appointment.