2026-2027 SY - Director of Discretionary Grants - Administration
Job Description
TITLE: Director of Discretionary Grants
CLASSIFICATION: Administration
DEPARTMENT: Curriculum & Instruction
WORK HOURS: 37.5 Hours Per Week
CONTRACT LENGTH: 236
SALARY: ADMINISTRATIVE SALARY SCHEDULE:
Director: $132,883.00
Other Director: $114,995.00
DIRECTOR OFDISCRETIONARY GRANTS
Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.
DEFINITION
The Discretionary Grants Director is a highly motivated, results-driven leader responsible for the comprehensive oversight, management, and strategic development of all discretionary grant funding, including state, local, and federal grants. This position leads the full grant lifecycle � from research, writing, and application through award management, fiscal compliance, expenditure monitoring, and outcome reporting. The Director supervises and collaborates with program managers and other professionals to ensure grant funds are expended in a timely, effective, and efficient manner, and communicates grant outcomes and successes to stakeholders and leadership.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives direction from the Assistant Superintendent. Provides supervision, guidance, and technical assistance to program managers, Directors of Instruction, Principals, and other staff involved in grant-funded programs.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTION STATEMENTS
Essential responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Grant Writing & Development
Researches, identifies, and pursues federal, state, and local grant funding opportunities aligned with organizational priorities and student needs.
Leads the writing, compilation, and submission of high-quality, competitive grant applications, including needs assessments, program narratives, logic models, evaluation plans, and budgets.
Collaborates with program managers and administrators to develop grant budgets that align with the Uniform Chart of Accounts (UCOA) and all applicable fiscal requirements.
Reviews all grant applications prior to submission to ensure programmatic integrity, fiscal compliance, and strategic alignment.
Grant Fund Oversight & Fiscal Management
Oversees all active discretionary grant funds (state, local, and federal), ensuring expenditures are timely, allowable, and aligned with approved budgets and grant objectives.
Monitors and reviews budgets developed by program managers, recommending and implementing technical changes prior to submittal.
Ensures entry of approved budgets into District Financial Systems and the NMPED Operating Budget Management System; secures required Board of Education and NMPED approvals for all budget activities.
Conducts inquiries into purchases and fiscal discrepancies; recommends and implements corrective budget amendments as required.
Finalizes fiscal monitoring guidelines and reports to the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) when fiscal benchmarks are not being met, proposing corrective action plans.
Reviews invoices and supporting documentation to ensure proper paperwork is submitted for full reimbursement; retains all required documentation.
Ensures proper documentation is attached to all requisitions prior to approval.
Communicates regularly with Student Support Center offices to ensure alignment of program expenditures and timely payment of invoices.
Ensures coordination and oversite of private school proportionate share when required by law.
Assists program staff in developing funding budget frameworks and provides logistical guidance on purchasing timelines to prevent lapsing of funds.
Compliance, Reporting & Outcomes
Ensures completion of all mandated fiscal and programmatic reports on a periodic and special basis, in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and grant requirements.
Prepares and submits monthly, quarterly and annual State Department of Education reports as necessary.
Develops and presents outcome reports documenting the impact, successes, and results achieved through grant-funded programs to leadership, the Board of Education, and external stakeholders.
Research and communicates revisions to fiscal policies, federal regulations, and state guidelines to appropriate staff in a timely manner.
Identifies fiscal problems and aids program staff to improve program performance and compliance.
Supervision & Professional Collaboration
Supervises, mentors, and supports grants staff and other individuals involved in the grant process, fostering a collaborative, high-performance work environment focused on accountability and results.
Provides ongoing technical assistance and meaningful consultation to program staff to build internal capacity for grant management.
Directs appropriate personnel to enter requisitions in a timely manner to ensure uninterrupted program operations.
Performs other duties as assigned by the supervisor.
KNOWLEDGE OF
Federal, state, and local grant regulations, including 2 CFR Part 200 (Uniform Guidance) and applicable state administrative requirements.
Principles and practices of grant writing, grant management, and program evaluation
Budgeting principles, fiscal monitoring, and financial reporting for publicly funded programs.
School district fiscal operations, including UCOA, ERP systems, and NMPED reporting requirements.
Outcome measurement frameworks and performance reporting best practices.
Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and related software.
ABILITY TO
Write compelling, well-organized, and competitive grant proposals independently and under deadline pressure.
Oversee multiple concurrent grant awards across state, local, and federal funding sources with a high degree of organization and attention to detail.
Analyze and interpret complex financial, programmatic, and regulatory documents.
Supervise, motivate, and develop professional staff to achieve program and fiscal goals.
Communicate clearly and persuasively, both orally and in writing, to diverse audiences including leadership, auditors, and community stakeholders.
Develop and present outcome and success reports that demonstrate grant impact.
Utilize computer equipment and software to produce complex reports, tracking systems, and related documents.
Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Work independently and exercise sound professional judgment in the absence of direct supervision.
Maintain physical and mental capacity appropriate to the performance of assigned duties.
EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING GUIDELINES
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:
Experience:
A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in grant writing and/or grant management, including demonstrated experience securing and overseeing federal, state, and/or local grant funding. Experience in a public school district or public sector setting is strongly preferred. Prior supervisory experience required.
Training:
Equivalent to a master's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Public Administration, Education Administration, Finance, Business Administration, or a closely related field. Relevant certifications in grant management (e.g., CGMS, GPC) are a plus.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Environmental Conditions:
Office environment; exposure to computer screens; occasional travel to program sites, district offices, or state/federal agency meetings.
Physical Conditions:
On site attendance is mandatory for this position. Essential and marginal functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for sitting for prolonged periods of time.
All GMCS schools are eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).
All applicants must upload copies of official transcripts or evaluations of foreign transcripts from any and all accredited colleges/universities attended by you for review in order to be considered for this position.