The Chicago Region Trees Initiative (CRTI), based at The Morton Arboretum, is a fast-growing collaborative effort to improve the health, cover, and equity of the trees in the seven county Chicago region in order to improve the quality of life for residents here. To keep us on track as we grow, we are seeking an experienced Grant Administrator to provide support for the team as we diversify and expand our efforts. In order to be successful in this position, the candidate will need to be detail-oriented, well-organized, and straightforward in communicating with staff within the department and among external partners. This is a hybrid-eligible position.

Position Summary:Responsible for coordinating the development, administrative management, reporting, and closeout of grants and other programmatic investments made by the Chicago Region Trees Initiative (CRTI) to make the Chicago region the greenest, most livable region in North America. Ensure that the CRTI grant-making and related processes, documents, procedures, and implementation are executed professionally, efficiently, on schedule, and in a manner consistent with best practices. Key responsibilities include processing and tracking grants, meeting logistics and scheduling, coordinating grantee updates and reporting, account tracking, leading contract processing and management, and assisting with general office support. Funding for this position is expected for five years through restricted funding to CRTI, with a potential for extension.

Essential Functions:

• Liaise with Business Office and Development departments, and other departmental grant coordinators, to ensure grant administrative processes are performed in accordance with Arboretum and funder procedures and requirements.
• Review grantor requirements for each grant and ensure grant and supporting documents are in compliance.
• Review and process grant related contracts, awards, and other documentation, in coordination with Business Office and legal staff reviews and approvals.
• Review and approve grant related payment requests, bills, invoices, reimbursements, and statements.
• Assist with scheduling and tracking of grant awardee progress and reporting.
• Provide administrative support related to grants as required to the CRTI director and managers, including scheduling meetings, meeting logistics, phone, and email correspondence.
• Assist with preparing and editing reports, presentations, and proposals including compiling, proofreading, formatting, using appropriate technology, and images.
• Conduct internet and on-site research for projects as needed and organize and maintain updated project files.
• Coordinate the processing and tracking of grants and projects including proposals, budgets, reporting, deadlines, and progress.
• Assist staff with database contact management.
• Demonstrate alignment with the Arboretum's employee core values to be inclusive, take ownership, work together, keep learning and make the Arboretum exceptional.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:Bachelor's degree preferred. 2+ years of relevant administrative or grant support experience preferred. Must have excellent administrative and organizational skills to manage a variety of activities simultaneously and effectively. Strong communication, computer, and internet research skills required. Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google applications required. Experience with Smartsheets and Salesforce preferred. Federal and state grant experience is highly preferred.

Success Factors:Strong decision-making, verbal, editing, and proofreading skills. Ability to nimbly manage complex tasks and concurrent projects, effective time-management skills, and a positive and flexible approach to the job. Ability to make well-reasoned independent decisions when circumstances dictate. Customer service oriented and able to relate effectively with people of various cultural backgrounds, levels of education, and experience.

Physical Demands and Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Physical Demands: Requires some physical activity: prolonged periods of sitting; limited lifting and carrying (up to 40 lbs.); may be asked to assist at tree planting and other outdoor events.
• Work Environment: Primarily indoors in an office environment.
• Equipment: General office equipment.

For full consideration, please submit a resume and cover letter.

The Morton Arboretum is a champion for diversity, supporting a culture of inclusion that attracts, inspires, and engages people to achieve success. The Arboretum is committed to hire and develop employees based on job-related qualifications irrespective of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or veteran status. To increase diversity in professions related to the public garden realm, we encourage applications from underrepresented minorities, persons with disabilities, and veterans.

The Morton Arboretum is dedicated to complying with our obligations as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All applicants are guaranteed equal consideration for employment.