Project Support Specialist

Position Summary 

  In November 2020, the Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative received a RISE Grant through the Office of the Governor of Colorado. Comprised of five school districts in southwest Colorado (Archuleta, Bayfield, Durango, Ignacio, and Silverton), and two institutions of higher education (Pueblo Community College and Fort Lewis College), the Collaborative was formed to address areas of common need for students in the region, allowing them to access additional opportunities for post-secondary success. In partnership with the five school districts, two higher education partners, and local community partners, the Collaborative plans reimagine college and career pathways by partnering in a more deliberate and coherent way to ensure high quality programming is available to all students in the region, while piloting two new pathways in response to community need: Building Trades and Environmental Science.  

Fort Lewis College (FLC) will lead the Environmental Science pathway, known as the Environmental Sciences & Climate Institute (ESCI). The program features hands-on outdoor learning, access to tailor-made mobile learning labs, success coaching, peer mentorship, career exploration, and college level classes to provide a coordinated, multidisciplinary experience steeped in environmental education. As Colorado’s ecosystems experience the early impacts of climate change, ESCI is poised to support student-driven learning to address and prepare for these immediate issues.   

The RISE Project Support Specialist provides assistance and support for operations associated with both the RISE grant and ESCI program, including  planning support, communications, budget oversight, and program outreach. The position provides financial analysis, projections, interpretation of policy, budget management, planning and review of project financials, and will work as the project coordinator for a multiple site project.  The RISE Project Support Specialist is an active member of the RISE team and works closely with local school districts and other partners to coordinate programming for high school students from throughout the region. This position will also be responsible for managing a multi-million dollar grant budget, ensuring that grant fund reimbursements are processed in a timely manner and with appropriate documentation, and that grant evaluation materials are completed and submitted in a timely manner. 

Minimum Qualifications 

• Bachelor's degree with courses in Accounting, Finance, or related field  
• Demonstrated professional experience (accounting experience and/or project management  

experience preferred)  

• Grant/contract/project coordination experience with responsibility for obtaining and monitoring the use  

of grant funds and /or administering public or private service contracts  

• Strong oral and written communication skills  
• Effective computer skills, especially in the use of Excel spreadsheets  

• Ability to set priorities and meet deadlines.  
• Demonstrated ability in problem solving, multi-tasking, and time management.  
• Experience working collaboratively as part of a team.  

Preferred Qualifications 

• Skill in organizing resources and establishing priorities.  

• Experience working in higher education or governmental financial reporting.  
• Familiarity with post-award grant accounting and Federal grant regulations  
• Knowledge of budgeting and fiscal management principles and procedures  
• Knowledge of or experience with database applications, including Banner.  
• Experience recruiting and supervising student employees.  

• Demonstrated understanding of, and support for, key concepts of diversity, equity and inclusion and an  

ability to support others in creating diverse, equitable and inclusive environments  

• Effective interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate with and respond to multiple constituencies  

both at the college and in the community.  

Major Responsibilities 

Grants and Contracts Administration   

• Coordinate grant related communications for a diverse group of stakeholders,  including staff at two higher education institutions, five school districts, and multiple community partners.  
• Assembles quarterly and annual progress and financial reports; ensures all reporting requirements are met under the grant.    
• Prepares projected proposal budgets using knowledge of FLC policies, procedures and rates.  
• Works with PI and Office of Sponsored Programs & Research in the execution of subrecipient contracts and grants.  

• Provides analysis and interpretation of accounting records for grants and contracts.  
• Maintain knowledge of grant funding policies, regulations, and procedures; disseminate and/or present changes to the Steering Committee and advise on the implementation of changes, and on the impact of changes on funded operations.  
• Collaborates with Accounting for submission of grant project invoices to the sponsor.  
• Clarifies rules and regulations, explains allowable and unallowable costs for grant projects and consults with the Office of Sponsored Programs & Research and/or Senior Accountant as needed.  

Project Support   

• Aligns pathway and project management with directives, objectives, and goals of the Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative.  
• Provide administrative assistance managing the new Environmental Science and Climate Initiative pathway (ESCI), this may include coordinating program outreach efforts.  
• Assist with student recruitment efforts for ESCI pathway.  
• Point of contact orchestrating student, staff and faculty exchanges at Fort Lewis College and between collaborating partner institutions.   

• Works with FLC staff/and or partners in website development as it pertains to information about project.  
• Develop systems and track data associated with program administration, objectives and outcomes for reporting purposes.   
• Maintain all project records, including financial data.  

Perform other duties as assigned.  

Work Conditions 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that an employee can expect while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

• Moderate noise (i.e. business office with computers, phone, and printers, light traffic).  
• Ability to work in a shared office environment  

• Ability to sit at a computer terminal for an extended period of time  
• Ability to take meeting notes/minutes of meetings in person and virtually.  

Compensation  

Salary is $48,000 plus a comprehensive benefits package.  

 
Application Process 
A complete application packet includes: 

• Cover letter addressing interest and qualifications for position 

• Include details regarding how your personal and professional experiences allow you to encourage a learning environment grounded in equity and inclusion.  “How do you envision contributing to Fort Lewis College’s commitment to equity and inclusion?” 

• Resume 
• Names and contact information for three current, professional references 

Submit materials as one PDF file via email to: 

Rise-Search@fortlewis.edu 

Application materials received by July 25, 2021, will receive full consideration. 

Position will remain open until filled. 

The successful candidate will be required to submit original, official college transcripts,  

and pass a background check. 

The College and the Community  

Fort Lewis College, a public institution located in Durango, Colorado, offers degree programs in arts, business, education, health fields, humanities, social and natural sciences, and teacher education. Our inspiring mountain campus is located atop a scenic mesa overlooking historic Durango and situated between the San Juan Mountains and the desert Southwest. We are committed to accessible and high-quality baccalaureate education, and our hallmarks are remarkably close relationships between students and faculty, the freedom of intellectual exploration, and the challenge of experiential learning. Our 3,300 students come from 48 states, 17 countries, with 36% Native American and Alaska Native backgrounds, and 11% Hispanic backgrounds. Durango is a thriving multicultural community of 18,500 set along the beautiful Animas River Valley. Averaging 300 sunny days per year, the community is known for its outdoor lifestyle and friendly, festive atmosphere. Durango is also the cultural and economic hub of the Four Corners region, rich in dining, shopping, and entertainment, and linked with airline service to hubs in Denver, Phoenix, and Dallas. 

Equal Opportunity   

Fort Lewis College does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, color, religion, national origin, sex*, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, family or domestic status, political beliefs, veteran status, pregnancy, or genetic information. Accordingly, equal opportunity for employment shall be extended to all persons. The College shall promote equal opportunity, equal treatment, and affirmative action efforts to increase the diversity of students, faculty, and staff. The College is dedicated to building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty and staff committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment.  

To file a report, get resources, read policies, or make an appointment, See www.fortlewis.edu/CARE.  

Questions about Title IX sex discrimination?  

Office of the Title 9 Coordinator  

Molly Wieser  

230 Skyhawk Station  

1000 Rim Drive  

Durango, Colorado 81301  

(970) 247-7241 wieser_m@fortlewis.edu  

Other discrimination questions?   

Office of the Equal Opportunity Coordinator  

David Pirrone  

192 Education Business Hall  

1000 Rim Drive  

Durango, Colorado 81301  

(970) 247-7182 djpirrone@fortlewis.edu  

Information about Fort Lewis College’s alcohol and drug policy, sexual assault policy, campus security policies, campus crime statistics, fire safety procedures and fire statistics, and campus/community resources can be found in the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. Hard copies are available upon request. 

  * Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Part 106 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, including in admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and CFR 106 to Fort Lewis College may be directed to FLC's Title IX Coordinator and/or to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the Department of Education.  

ADAA Accommodations  

Any person with a disability as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) may be provided a reasonable accommodation upon request to enable the person to complete an employment assessment. To request an accommodation, please contact Kristin Polens by phone 970-247-7459 or email kpolens@fortlewis.edu at least five business days before the assessment date to allow us to evaluate your request and prepare for the accommodation. You may be asked to provide additional information, including medical documentation, regarding functional limitations and type of accommodation needed. Please ensure that you have this information available well in advance of the assessment date.