BACKGROUND:

Resource Conservation Districts (RCDs) across California serve as local hubs for conservation, connecting people with the technical, financial, and educational assistance they need to conserve and manage natural resources. RCDs help landowners, land managers, government agencies, and others to voluntarily protect, restore, and enhance natural resources on private and public lands. A defining characteristic of RCDs is that our assistance is generally non-regulatory, confidential, and free.

The Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz County (RCD) seeks a detail-oriented, full-time Grants & Finance Specialist to join our dynamic team of professionals to support organizational financial management and lead the day-to-day execution of grant and operational accounting functions. This position will work closely with the Director of Finance and other RCD staff and will play a key role in grant administration, budgeting, financial compliance, accounts payable and receivable, deposits, audit preparation, reconciliations, and financial reporting. The work environment is fast-paced, collaborative, and creative.

This position is funded through internal operational funds, local, state, and federal agency contracts, as well as private donors. The position is funded for 40 hours per week.

GENERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Grants & Finance Specialist will support the Director of Finance and Finance Manager in organizational financial management and lead the execution of daily grant and operational financial tasks.

Grant Financial Administration

• Lead financial administration of assigned grants.
• Coordinate grant setup within accounting, payroll, and tracking systems.
• Prepare and submit grant advance requests, reimbursement requests, and funder invoices.
• Monitor grant expenditures and budget performance in coordination with Project leads.
• Support grant closeout and financial reporting requirements.

Accounting & Financial Operations

• Process accounts payable and accounts receivable transactions.
• Prepare deposits and monitor incoming revenue.
• Maintain accurate financial records in QuickBooks and related systems.
• Prepare journal entries and supporting documentation.
• Conduct reconciliations for payroll & benefits, credit card, and grant-related accounts.

Budget Development & Analysis

• Assist with organizational and grant budget development.
• Support personnel allocation forecasts and financial projections.
• Maintain financial tracking tools and budget models.
• Support indirect cost recovery calculations and annual cost allocation activities.

Compliance & Audit Support

• Assist with coordination and preparation of annual and single audit documentation.
• Assist with implementation and documentation of internal controls.
• Support compliance with federal, state, local, and grant-specific requirements.
• Maintain organized financial records for audit and reporting purposes.

Financial Reporting

• Track and analyze accounts receivable and payable activity.
• Assist with quarterly and annual financial reporting.
• Prepare financial schedules, reconciliations, and supporting analyses.
• Support preparation of reports for management and the Board of Directors.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support organizational efficiency and team goals.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE:

The ideal candidate has a strong background in public sector or non-profit financial administration, grant management, and fund accounting. They are an exceptional communicator, highly organized, and mathematically savvy, with advanced proficiency in financial modeling and systems like Excel and QuickBooks. Experience with federal and state grant compliance, budget development, reconciliations, and audit preparation is strongly preferred. Successful applicants will "wear many hats" at the RCD, collaborating closely across teams and funding partners; therefore, they must possess a blend of technical accuracy, analytical strength, and excellent interpersonal skills.

Required Qualifications

• 3+ years of relevant, high-level professional experience in financial management, grant administration, and fund accounting. A degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field is welcomed, but equivalent demonstrated expertise and proven results will be prioritized.
• Demonstrated mastery of Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables and advanced functions (e.g., SUMPRODUCT, XLOOKUP, dynamic arrays) for complex financial modeling, grant budget forecasting, personnel projections, and maintaining formula-driven templates.
• Deep, applied knowledge of accounting principles, QuickBooks, records and timekeeping software, internal control management, and audit preparation to hit the ground running across the full financial lifecycle of grant-funded projects.
• Proven experience managing financial workflows and core accounting processes for public sector agencies, grant-funded entities, or non-profits.
• Highly organized, self-directing, and capable of prioritizing competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with a collaborative, "can-do" approach to working with colleagues, board members, and external funding partners.
• Creative, adaptable, and comfortable in a dynamic "learn-by-doing" environment. Demonstrates a strong commitment to resource conservation, collegiality, flexibility, and a sense of humor.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct familiarity with federal and state grant compliance frameworks, including Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) and Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreements (NICRA)
• Experience automating financial processes and streamlining complex spreadsheet workflows.
• Previous work experience with a Resource Conservation District (RCD) or a similar special district of comparable size and operational complexity.

Additional Requirements:

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Work is primarily performed in an office environment. The work requires the ability to sit, walk and stand for intermittent periods of time and on a frequent basis; strength, dexterity, coordination; ability to talk, listen, observe, stoop, reach, sit, stand, move, climb and descend stairs, use repetitive motions, and traverse uneven terrain. The position requires the ability to operate a telephone, computer keyboard, copier, other typical equipment, and motor vehicle, vision to read materials on a computer screen, and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. Work requires lifting or moving up to 35 pounds. When necessary, the position requires the ability to work unusual shifts, including weekends. 

The Grants & Finance Specialist is a full-time position (40 hours per week) based primarily on a Monday through Friday daytime schedule, with occasional evening or weekend hours required for events and special meetings. While the RCD offers a flexible office/remote hybrid schedule, the employee must be locally based within a commuting distance to attend mandatory in-office work one day per week at 2425 Porter Street, Soquel as well as occasional in-person meetings or events.  Salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications, ranging from $40.15 – $45.19/hour. Benefits package (after three months introductory employment period) includes paid health, dental, and vision care. Retirement 457(b) Plan with employer matching contribution of 1-to-1 up to 4.5% of salary is available 1st of the month following 90 days of employment. A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for out-of-pocket medical expenses is available upon start. This position includes 13.5 Paid Holidays and Paid Time Off starting at 21 days per year, increasing based on years of service.