Working Title: Small Cities Grant Specialist
Job Class: Grants Specialist Coordinator
Agency: Department of Employment and Economic Development
Job ID : 85935
Location : St. Paul
Telework Eligible : Yes, may be eligible for some telework
Full/Part Time : Full-Time
Regular/Temporary : Unlimited
Who May Apply : This vacancy is open for bids and for all qualified job seekers simultaneously. Bidders will be considered through 09/01/2025.
Date Posted : 08/26/2025
Closing Date : 09/16/2025
Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Department of Employment & Economic Development / MAPE
Division/Unit : Business & Community Development
Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift, 8:00am to 4:30pm
Days of Work : Monday - Friday
Travel Required : Yes, up to 25% of the time
Salary Range: $32.99 - $48.93 / hourly; $68,883 - $102,165 / annually
Classified Status : Classified
Bargaining Unit/Union : 214 - Minnesota Association of Professional Employees/MAPE
FLSA Status : Exempt - Administrative
Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : Yes
The work you'll do is more than just a job.
At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.
The Small Cities Grant Specialist provides outreach and assistance in conjunction with the Small Cities Development Program's application process, so applicants are informed of the requirements and procedures for participation in these programs. This position provides ongoing support to the Small Cities Unit Manager of the Business and Community Development (BCD) programs and assistance to communities in identifying financing needs and ensuring that all appropriate private, local, state, and federal resources are identified.
The incumbent is responsible to review financing requests and rank project viability using state and federal requirements. This position will monitor program caseload to ensure that the financial interests of the State are protected and that the conditions and requirements of the programs are met.
This position requires occasional local and statewide travel for monitoring assessments and site visits.
This position will be based out of the St. Paul office.
This position is telework (https://mn.gov/mmb-stat/policies/1422-telework.pdf) eligible. Staff are provided with the tools and equipment to be successful in a virtual work environment. Please note, the telework policy could change with notice based on business needs.
Minimum Qualifications
Please ensure that your resume clearly describes your experience in the areas listed and indicates the beginning and ending month and year for each job held. Only applicants whose resumes clearly demonstrate fulfillment of each of these minimum qualifications will be considered for this position.
Three (3) years* of grant management experience involving evaluating, administering, accounting for, training and/or monitoring of grant/grants proposals, grant agreements, or grant recipients for a grant making organization.
*Bachelor's degree in Planning, Community and Economic Development, Political Science, Public Administration or other closely related field as determined by the agency may substitute one (1) year of experience; master's degree substitutes for eighteen (18) months of experience; PhD substitutes for twenty-four (24) months of experience.
Applicants that meet the above minimum qualification will be further evaluated on the following:
Experience evaluating, administering, accounting for, training and/or monitoring of grants/grant proposals.
Knowledge of federal and state laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures with the ability to interpret and communicate those to grant recipients.
Communication skills to effectively engage and provide outreach with both public and private clients.
Skill in word processing sufficient use software, such as Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint to make concise presentations before public and private groups and communicate complicated issues to clients.
Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) sufficient to analyze municipal financial statements, audits, forecasts, budgets, and demographics.
Incumbent must maintain valid driver's license and insurance OR have other reliable transportation.
Preferred Qualifications
Knowledge of the Community Development Block Grant Program (CBGP) funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Experience applying Davis-Bacon Prevailing wages standards to for federally funded projects.
Experience with the Environmental Review process.
Our employees are dedicated to ensuring cultural responsiveness. Preferred candidates will have a variety of experiences working effectively with others from different backgrounds and cultures.
Additional Requirements
A job offer will be contingent upon successfully passing a background check. The background check may consist of the following components:
Criminal Background Check
Employment Records Check (current and former State employees only)
Employment Reference Check
Conflict of Interest Review
Driver's License and Records Check
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development will not sponsor applicants for work visas. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.
Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us . Please indicate what assistance is needed.
