Special Grant Program Coordinator for Disaster Grants

ABOUT LSC: 

Established by Congress in 1974, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) is the country’s single largest funder of civil legal aid for low-income Americans. LSC currently funds 131 independent nonprofit legal aid organizations with more than 800 offices throughout the nation. LSC’s mission is to promote equal access to justice and provide grants for high-quality civil legal assistance to low-income Americans.  

This position is based in Washington, DC, and will require working from an office in DC in accordance with LSC’s hybrid work model. The successful candidate must live in the DC metropolitan area.

BASIC FUNCTION: 

Under the general direction of the Director of the Office of Program Performance (OPP) and their designee, assists with the administration of the Technology Initiative Grant program, Pro Bono Innovation Fund grant program, or Disaster grant program, which support LSC-grantee programs using technology to improve the delivery of legal services, using pro bono services to expand the delivery of legal services, or engaging in disaster-related legal services. Responsibilities include coordinating and project managing the activities of the team in conducting grantmaking and grantee-oversight; providing technical assistance to grantees; coordinating informational webinars; arranging events and meetings; organizing and analyzing data; conducting research; and general administrative functions. This position is included in a collective bargaining unit represented by the International Federation of Professional & Technical Engineers, Local 135.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assists the special grant team with all aspects of grantmaking and grantee program oversight including but not limited to, the following tasks: drafting and coordinating final copy and posting of grant cycle information to the LSC website; drafting and coordinating final copy and posting of the grant cycle announcement; providing guidance to applicants and grantees on application and grant procedures; coordinating the logistics for the annual applicant information session; conducting completeness reviews of applications, progress reports, payment requests, and grantee programs; coordinating the logistics of the pre-application review process outside of the grants management system; developing, refining and implementing systems for tracking submissions of grant payments and progress reports; assisting the special grant team in developing and streamlining reports for oversight of individual grants; assisting the special grant team to support OPP in preparation for program visits by summarizing information from grant applications, grant reports, and other relevant information; coordinating with OFAS to ensure timely payments of grant payments; drafting payment request memos for grants as necessary; drafting documents to support and facilitate successful funding meetings; and closing out grants. 

• Assists the special grant team with conducting informational webinars, conferences, trainings, technical assistance, or grantee meetings by coordinating activities, managing the logistics, assisting with the development and distribution of materials, collaborating with the team to draft and finalize FAQs, and publishing materials on the LSC website when appropriate. 

• Helps increase the visibility of LSC’s special grant program in the field and through an enhanced presence on LSC.gov by assisting the special grant team with updating and maintaining special grant team content with information about meetings, conferences, training, and resources on LSC’s website by drafting copy, coordinating revisions within the team, and working with the OPP content coordinators to ensure posts are timely and follow LSC procedures and style guidelines. Works with OIT and GRPA on the website, as needed. 

• Engages in activities to promote LSC’s disaster preparedness initiative including: grantee outreach following a disaster; organizing national disaster conference calls; assisting Disaster team with maintaining and managing the disaster preparedness website (www.LARDC.org); preparation for LSC board meetings, conferences, and meetings; helping analyze and draft memos on results of disaster relief grants; reviewing and helping develop the annual disaster initiative work plan; communicating with LSC grantees and partners, and communicating with Red Cross and Federal Emergency Management Agency on disaster-related issues.  

• Assists the special grant team with revisions of tools for grants applicants, reviewers, and LSC staff and revisions to the application, process for application submission, reviewer scoring, internal grant approval processes, and grantee reporting. Tests all proposed modifications to systems and collaborates with the team and the other special grant programs to make recommendations on changes if needed.  

• Assists the special grant team with the development of policies and procedures for the special grant program and coordinates and collaborates with the team and other special grant programs to draft and finalize any necessary revisions. 

• Monitors and responds promptly to internal and external stakeholder inquiries pertaining to special grant team’s grantmaking and initiatives by problem-solving, collaborating with the team where appropriate, and providing customer service to grant applicants, grantee programs, and LSC colleagues.  

• Maintains accurate information on grant applications and grantees, collaborates with the special grant team to research and analyze grants to produce various reports and worksheets for internal distribution; compiles and edits grant documents, statistical data, correspondence, reports, and memoranda in draft and final form. Produces grant status reports and other reports required by the team and internal LSC stakeholders. Compiles materials on grant results for publication and distribution. 

• Develops and maintains tracking systems for all active and suspended special grants and provides regular reports to the team, as needed.  

• Performs general administrative support to the special grant team, including, but not limited to, onboarding new staff and interns, scheduling meetings, scheduling trainings, preparing documents, file maintenance, etc.  

• Performs other related duties, as assigned.  

COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:

General:

Must demonstrate initiative and be an effective problem-solver; excellent customer-service focus; strong and effective organizational and time-management skills; excellent oral and written communication skills with demonstrated ability to craft solid written products; ability to communicate effectively with broad and diverse audiences – including staff, grantees, and applicants; demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness and monitors work to ensure high quality; ability to systematically organize and catalogue data and information; adaptable and able to handle multiple projects simultaneously and adjust to shifting and changing priorities under tight deadlines; attention to detail; maintains a high level of productivity; works well independently and with others as a team member; makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; influences, motivates, and challenges others; understands LSC’s mission, functions, and operations; identifies and understands trends that affect access to legal services for low-income persons; is knowledgeable in the field of websites and communication strategies, and how they relate to the delivery of legal services; and understands service delivery strategies employing technology, pro bono, or disaster relief.

Technical/Specialized:

A bachelor’s degree and a minimum of one-two years of experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience totaling a minimum of four years of related experience. Knowledge of and interest in technology, pro bono, or disaster relief; proven abilities in analytical, database, and reporting skills. Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel, Word and PowerPoint. Experience with Box, Smartsheet, and Zoom preferred. Solid analytical and research skills, including computer-based/online research resources.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

Salary: $72,151; Step 1

Salary range: $72,151 - $81,266

LSC has a competitive market-based salary structure that establishes a specific salary range for this position. The salary range has eight steps. Step increases are based on acceptable performance and longevity. It normally takes 10 years to advance from Step 1 to Step 8 (waiting periods of 2 years to advance at steps 1 - 3 and 1 year at steps 4 – 8). A new hire is typically hired at Step 1. In special circumstances, LSC may authorize a new hire to start at a higher step based on a special need or superior qualifications of the new employee. 

Excellent benefits package.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

Please apply through LSC’s online application portal at www.tinyurl.com/applytoLSC. A cover letter and résumé must be included. To have your application considered, please answer all application questions and provide all requested information.  

Note: If you need reasonable accommodations in the application process, please notify the Office of Human Resources at jobapplicant@lsc.gov.  

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION STATEMENT:

We are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. Our differences fuel excellence, and we strive to create an environment where every individual is valued and feels empowered to bring their full, authentic self to work. We are building a community rooted in openness and trust where colleagues have the resources to grow, thrive and fully contribute to achieving equal access to justice.

LSC is an equal opportunity employer.