Grants Management Specialist

Sheila Parker-Darby
US Citizen
5547 Lanier Avenue						Telephone:	(202) 997-4177
Suitland, MD  29746						E-mail:	 sheila21778@yahoo.com
 
Objective

To plan, develop, implement, and evaluate the operations of a grant management program to agencies at the state and local level.

Employment

Grants Management Specialist (Fiscal)
September, 2011 – January, 2012

Hire One, 1025 Connecticut Avenue, NW – Suite 509, Washington, DC  20036

This position is located in the Division of Policy and Programs under the Assistant Director for Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR) Programs, Department of Interior. Responsible for the Coastal Impact Assistance Program (CIAP). WSFR provides grant funding for the conservation and management of fish, wildlife, and other natural resources. WSFR develops regulations and policies, sets standards, monitors compliance, establishes goals and objectives, conducts evaluations, and prepares reports on grant program outputs and accomplishments.

Policy/Advisory

•	Provides consultation, advice, and guidance to the staff members of the Service, other federal agencies, states and local agencies in matters which are complex and unusual and develops solutions and/or procedures for handling such matters.  These matters can involve novel, unique, or controversial aspects not readily resolved by the application, adaptation, or extension of conventional approaches.  Solutions and procedures are used to advise and assist professional staff at the national, regional, state and local levels.  Reviews fiscal, performance and other required grantee reports to determine conformance with the stated objectives and recommend appropriate action, including final payment(s) of project cost(s) to applicants and agencies.
•	Identifies special training needs of the collective states and other political subdivisions and provide the means to resolve them.  Develops and participates in symposiums, conferences, and formal training, as well as informal training, with state organizations, private industry and local government participants, regional scientists and other Federal agency program officials, such as Ecological Services and the Corps of Engineers, when assessing potential impact on protected species, wetlands or other areas of concern on the matters related to grant administration.  Informal training often takes the form of specific topical discussions or in response to requests for information and guidance.
•	Provides fiscal administration and support for the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program.  Independently interface with state and local governments and the Service’s program and regional staff.  Makes recommendations on financial and programmatic issues to supervisor based on independent assessment of needs to maintain fiscal accountability and consistency with national program goals and objectives.
•	Monitors the status and implementation of audit findings, recommend corrective action plan(s).  Independently provide fiscal information to state and federal auditors involved in agency audits.  Assists state and federal auditors during site reviews by providing national program perspective and fiscal data for specific grants and projects.
•	Provides advice and assistance in response to inquiries on standard grant/agreement determinations.  Answers questions and resolve problems requiring the interpretation of policies and processes.  Reviews grants/agreements for a particular segment of a subject-matter area or across the entire spectrum of the area.  Provides advice and counsel to managers on a variety of grants, cooperative agreements and other financial assistance instruments.

Grants and Financial Assistance Program Administration

•	Administer and provide management recommendations on fiscal needs, accountability and financial management for grants and financial assistance program administration.
•	Analyze grant proposals and supporting financial data to determine if they meet enabling legislative criteria costs are necessary and reasonable; and that the objectives and proposed activities are economically sound and will yield benefits commensurate with costs.
•	Determine if grant proposals are in compliance with Department rules and regulations.
•	Verify that applicants for financial assistance are eligible to receive awards through the respective Acts and regulations.  If not, provide advice and assistance related to eligibility criteria.
•	Recommend action on grant awards and payments and discuss unusual and/or sensitive issues with the supervisor, and others as appropriate.
•	Apply fiscal expertise and provide staff support during review of accomplishments, performance, and financial reports in order to determine if reports meets Federal requirements.
•	Discuss projects and application details with state and local officials, state and federal coordinators, researchers, and other scientists.
•	Review grantee information to ensure fiscal accountability is sufficient to grant rules and regulations.  If sufficient, coordinates with grantee to prepare supplemental documentation.
•	Monitor obligations and payments associated with the financial assistance, including interim and final financial reports, reimbursement vouchers and electronic data submitted by grantees.
•	Track program accomplishments, obligations and expenditure.
•	Maintain grant fiscal and accomplishment data through use of the automated grant tracking/management systems, i.e., FAMIS, FBMS or other national database system to track grant status from inception, through each stage of development and implementation, to completion; monitors fund allocations and expenditures; and reports progress supervisors and other grant program staff, as needed.
•	Record receipt of all grant documents; review grant documents for appropriate financial assessments.
•	Prepare payments and reconciliations including costs, and other information as needed.
•	Assist in the negotiation, development, and administration of grant/project proposals.
•	Develop and disseminate requests for supplemental grant documentation and clarification.
•	Review and analyze applicant responses, provide expert guidance, and if needed, approve their request for grant modification(s).
•	Maintain and utilize internal/external communication tracking system for grant use.
•	Review application and other agreement proposals for technical adequacy and compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and policy.
•	Examine draft documents and review the grant narratives, legal authority, signatory authority, assurances and provisions, specific grant considerations.
•	Stay abreast of changes in policy, regulations, and legal authorities affecting grants and other financial agreements.
•	Communicate changes as appropriate to the management team.
•	Prepare notices to awardees and organizations within the Service who will be involved in making payments under the grant or tracking progress.
•	Answer questions from awardees and others, seeking advice if response is outside of grant experience stated policies or could set national precedence.

Grants Management Specialist
September, 2010 – February, 2011

O’Neil Technologies, 1101 16th Street, NW, Washington, DC  20036

This position was located at the Small Business Administration (SBA), in Washington, DC.  The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), Technical Assistance Grant provides grant funding to nonprofit entities for the purpose of providing marketing, management, and technical assistance to low-income individuals seeking to start and/or enlarge their own businesses.

•	Reviewed ARRA grant proposals and perform cost analysis during pre-award for award preparation.
•	Ensured cost/budget elements are inline with Code of Federal Regulations.
•	Ensured potential ARRA grant recipient is a registered DUN’s and Central Contractor Recipient.
•	Ensured potential grant recipient is not on the debarred list through EPLS.
•	Prepared notice of award for issuance of ARRA grant funds.
•	Monitored grant activities to ensure that ARRA programs are implemented both internally and externally by sub-recipient agencies consistent with appropriate OMB Circulars.
•	Ensured all ARRA financial and performance quarterly reports are submitted accordingly.
•	Represented the office during conference calls with OMB; and report any and all major changes regarding the reporting requirements to the Branch Chief. 
•	Reviewed data before submission into federalreporting.gov
•	Demonstrated analytical ability to assess and evaluate policies and issues, for decision-making, and to identify potential and existing program areas.
•	Exercised independent judgment within established priorities to resolve recipient concerns.
•	Utilized oral and written communication skills to make presentations to write and edit policies and procedures, and to prepare reports.
•	Recommended changes to enhance program effectiveness.
•	Checked vendor status on Central Contractor Registration (CCR)
•	Assisted in the resolution of any audit findings and the development of corrective action plans.
•	Responsible for acquisition pre-award and post-award functions including price/cost analysis, negotiation, and administration for services, materials, and equipment associated with research, development, test, and/or production activities.
•	Developed announcements and solicit bids and proposals; evaluated the quality of bids and proposals in terms of costs, technology, market conditions, and reliability of performance; negotiated terms; and recommended the contract award. 
•	Administered contracts to assure that the terms of the contract are met, and that goods and items are produced and delivered in accordance with the contract schedule, specifications and requirements.

Grants Management Specialist
August 10, 2009 – August 31, 2010

Davis-Page Management Services, 7611 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA  22003

This position was located at USDA Headquarters in Washington, DC. The Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), grant funding is designated to simulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies while leveraging the Federal investment in environmental enhancement and protection, in conjunction with agricultural production.  The Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) is a grant program from the ARRA initiative. NRCS funding targets innovative on-the-ground conservation, including pilot projects and field demonstrations. 

Policy Advisor

•	Provided expertise in negotiation, preparation, and administration of ARRA grants and agreements, as well as, other assigned grants/agreements, interpreting the impact of new laws and regulations.
•	Instrumental in interpreting policy and providing grant principles and guidance to help applicants indentify the purpose of the grant assistance, the authority for the assistance, the objectives and the process to accomplish the objectives, funding uses and/or restrictions, and other information that maybe helpful to the applicant and/or recipient.
•	Responsible for the provision of advice and guidance concerning the full range of ARRA grant/cooperative agreements with federal, state, and local (non-local) agencies, memoranda of understanding, and relevant laws and regulations.
•	Interpreted and applied all aspects of the grant laws, regulations, policies and procedures.  Applied OMB Circulars A-21, A-87, A-102, A-110, A-122 and A-133 guidelines to grants/cooperative agreements, state and local governments, non-profit organizations, and tribal governments.

Grant Administration

•	Worked in coordination with staff on ARRA pre-award and post award activities.
•	Assisted staff in developing and reviewing ARRA grant solicitations to ensure inclusion of appropriate financial and administrative provisions.
•	Reviewed, analyzed and approved pre-agreement cost and/or sole source justification.
•	Analyzed ARRA grant applications for compliance with administrative requirements.  Perform cost or price analysis including review of cost breakdowns to determine allowability and reasonableness of costs.
•	Provided assistance to applicants and grantees to budget negotiation.
•	Reviewed, analyze and recommend action for ARRA grant modifications and closeout of assigned grant awards.
•	Analyzed and negotiate grantees’ indirect cost rate agreement for Federal funding.
•	Conducted desk and on-site financial grants monitoring reviews of assigned grants and agreements.  Follow-up on and resolve any issues discovered during the process.
•	Developed and reviewed reports and correspondence in support of ARRA grants management activities.
•	Worked with assigned program office staff, systems and/or other financial staff to resolve issues and problems having fiscal implications.
•	Knowledgeable of financial and grants management statutory requirements, regulations, decisions, policies and procedures, management principles and methods and the latest management theories and practices.
•	Made recommendations to leadership (if designated), to improve development, introduction, and use of innovative approaches to financial management practices.
•	Assisted in the development of, and make presentations at, conferences and/or workshops dealing with the grants life cycle with financial management matters.
•	Financial auditing support, as needed.
•	Assisted with gathering data for ad hoc and/or short turn around data requests, as needed.
•	Provided other services required to address any potential audit findings, as required.

Financial Management

•	Utilized multiple electronic automated grants and payments tracking systems, such as: IAS, FFIS and IFMIS.
•	Conducted analysis of budget reviews, match requirements, allowable and unallowable costs, projects indicated in the applicant’s narrative, and other items that have an impact on the applicant’s budget.
•	Verified calculations of personnel costs, fringe benefits, travel expenditures, equipment, contractual agreements, indirect costs, and services indicated in the budget.  De-obligated unused funds. Processed payment requests, reimbursement request of expenditures, generated documentation for release of funds.
•	Utilized IAS to make entries and changes to requisitions during pre-award and post-award.  Processed invoices and IAS receipts.
•	Modified and adjusted grant application proposals in partnership with the program office, while negotiating the budget with the applicant during the award phase.
•	Provided technical assistance to the program office, grant recipients, and regional field specialist regarding any concerns and/or complaints regarding modifications to grant applications.

Monitoring

•	Conducted internal audits to obtain grantee’s data of procurement policies, annual operating budgets, official grant files, record keeping files, financial reporting, property acquisition records, performance reporting, inventory, invoices, and single audit reports.

Assistance Officer/Grants Management Specialist
May 6, 2002 – February 19, 2009

FEMA, 500 C Street, SW, Washington, DC  20472

Extensive knowledge in negotiating, administering and executing all business matters of the assigned grant program(s), the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG), and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant (SAFER).  Maintained a working knowledge of the statues and regulations that govern grant administration, and provide administrative assistance, guidance and oversight in the interpretation of those rules to staff, colleagues, and grantees. 

Leadership

•	Gathered and analyzed information and interpreted findings, preparing documentation for management decision and approval on matters such as cost share agreements, participating agreements, collection agreements, interagency agreements, intra-agency agreements, cooperative agreements, and memoranda of understanding, and the laws and regulations pertaining to such instruments.
•	Provided ongoing leadership to grant specialists in the daily performance of work required for the grants office, and/or assigned projects.
•	Ensured that grants were administered in accordance with established policies, guidelines and procedures, to include feedback and assistance to improve work output.
•	Provided guidance on unusual situations.
•	Conducted reviews on grant specialist’s work to ensure compliance and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of assigned grants.
•	Possessed signature authority to sign awards and amendments.
•	Provided guidance and assistance for the peer panel reviews.
•	Recruited grant panel members.
•	Promoted grant opportunities.

Policy Advisor

•	Responsible for the provision of advice and guidance concerning the full range of grant/cooperative agreements with federal, state, and local (non-local) agencies, memoranda of understanding, and relevant laws and regulations.
•	Provided expertise in negotiation, preparation, and administration of grants and agreements, interpreting the impact of new laws and regulations.
•	Instrumental in interpreting policy and providing grant principals and guidance to help applicants identify the purpose of the grant assistance, the authority for the grant assistance, the objectives and the process to accomplish the objectives, funding uses and/or restrictions, and other information that maybe helpful to the applicant and/or recipient.
•	Interpreted and applied all aspects of the grant laws, regulations, policies and procedures.  Applied OMB Circulars A-21, A-87, A-102, A-110, A-122, and A-133 guidelines to grants/cooperative agreements, state and local governments, non-profit organizations, and tribal governments.

Grant Administration

•	Participated in the development and implementation of assigned program policies related to the assigned grant program priorities, including new sub-grant priorities and assessing the evaluation of findings on the assigned grant program.
•	Reviewed and analyzed grant proposals and/or narratives to determine if the application is acceptable.  Reviewed the applicant’s business/accounting processes for handling the grant funding.
•	Co-chaired annually the peer panel review for the assigned grant program to impose program guidelines, policies, procedures and the pre-screened application process.  Performed the preparation, execution and/or tracking of assigned grants.
•	Assured diverse representation of expertise and background on panels, providing technical assistance, and producing reports, statistical analysis, and correspondence regarding the program.
•	Posted grant opportunities on Grants.gov
•	Analyzed and processed various and multiple amendment requests for period of performance extensions, modifications, budget reductions/increases, and reconciliation of closeout reports.

Financial Management

•	Utilized multiple electronic automated grants and payments tracking systems, such as: PARS, ProTrac, GMS and IFMIS.
•	Conducted analysis of budget reviews, match requirements, allowable and unallowable costs, projects indicated in the applicant’s narrative, and other items that have an impact on the applicant’s budget.
•	Verified calculations of personnel costs, fringe benefits, travel expenditures, equipment, contractual agreements, indirect costs, and services indicated in the budget.  De-obligated unused funds. Processed on-line payment requests, reimbursement request of expenditures, generated Grant Adjustment Notice (GAN), for release of funds.
•	Modified and adjusted grant application proposals in partnership with the program office, while negotiating the budget with the applicant during the award phase.
•	Provided technical assistance to the program office, grant recipients, and regional field specialist regarding any concerns and/or complaints regarding modifications to grant applications.

Monitoring

•	Traveled annually to monitor assigned states.   Conducted oral presentations to discuss the grants life cycle with grantees.  Prepared site visit reports, desk audits, and provided corrective action plans.
•	Conducted internal audits to obtain grantee’s data of procurement policies, annual operating budgets, official grant files, record keeping files, financial reporting, property acquisition records, performance reporting, inventory, invoices, and single audit reports.

Grants.gov

•	Worked with internal staff on Grants.gov and other internal grant system to ensure timely posting of new and existing program announcements.
•	Verified that grant applications “connectors” are functioning and that applications provided to Grants.gov are posting appropriately.
•	Assisted in the review incoming applications to ensure they are complete, accurate, and eligible.
•	Aided staff in award processing/routing and documentation.
•	Consulted on any needed adaptive changes to the assigned internal grant system.

Grant Administration Specialist
September 1998 – May, 2002

Department of Justice, 810 K Street, NW, Washington, DC  20531

Responsible for programmatic and fiscal oversight, planning, development, implementation and assessment of grant programs that address general crime prevention and control, the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant (LLEBG).

Policy Advisor

•	Participated in the development and implementation of national programs and policies related to assigned grant programs and agency priorities.  Assessed evaluation of findings on currently funded grant programs.
•	Participated the development of guidelines for disbursing grant funds based on the expertise gained while working with operating grant programs and their authorized statues, analysis of problems presented by grantees for interpretation, and knowledge of national, state and local problems and resources.

Grant Administration

•	Reviewed and prepared grant applications for award in conformance with agency and federal regulations.
•	Provided guidance, assistance, and support at grant review panels.
•	Reviewed grantees reports, alerting the supervisor to any problems and/or issues.
•	Recommended actions in response to grantee priorities and/or issues.
•	Initiated and prepared documentation for grant modifications and amendments.
•	Approved grantees payments within delegated authority.
•	Maintained grant files.

Monitoring

•	Responded to requests from internal and/or external auditors as required, utilizing the guidelines of A-133.
•	Conducted on-site monitoring, interpreted program requirements, identified problem areas and provided advice to grantees which met their expressed needs, and assured compliance with legislative mandates.

Skills

•	Grant Proposal Writing
•	Non-profit experience
•	Appointed Assistance Officer – March 15, 2004
•	Presentations: FEMA Basic Grants Management - (a course designed to describe the grants life cycle and explain the importance of authorities and governing documents to grantees and regional representatives).
•	Director’s Diversity Committee – February 6, 1998 – September 13, 1998

Computer Skills

Microsoft Word, Excel, MS Outlook, Access 2010, Internet Explorer, Grants.gov, Automated Acquisition Management System – ProTrac, DHS/OJP Grants Management System (GMS), Payment and Reporting System (PARS), Assistance to Firefighters Grants System (AFG), Excluded Parties List System (EPSL), Central Contractor Registration (CCR), Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS), HHS Payment System, PeopleSoft, ORACLE, PRISM, Access, Delphi, Integrated Acquisition System (IAS), and Nemis – computerized electronic application packing system for Federal Disaster Grant applications. Able to conduct credible research using the Internet.  

Achievements

•	Achievement Award: September, 2006; October, 2005; October, 2004; October, 2003; October, 2002
•	Cash Performance Award: October, 2008; October, 2007; October, 2006; October, 2005; October, 2004; October, 2003; September, 2001; August, 2000
•	Special Act Award: October, 2005; September, 1999; June, 1997

Affiliation

National Grants Management Association

Education

BS, Information Technology
University of Maryland – September 2010 - Present

Bachelor, Business Management – Georgetown University
Completed – May 1981, Washington, DC

Spingarn High School
Graduated – June 1977, Washington, DC

COTR Certification – Treasury/Defense Acquisition University
Completed - December 28, 2008, Washington, DC

Leadership and Management Certification – Management Concepts, Inc.
Completed – February 2, 2007, Washington, DC

Grants Management Certification – Management Concepts, Inc.
Completed – March 15, 2005, Washington, DC