Job Details Working Title: Grants Unit Manager Job Class: State Program Administrator, Manager Senior Agency: Health Department - Job ID: 97486
- Location: St. Paul
- Telework Eligible: Yes
- Full/Part Time: Full-Time
- Regular/Temporary: Unlimited
- Who May Apply: This vacancy is open to all qualified job seekers.
- Date Posted: 10/15/2026
- Closing Date: 11/04/2026
- Hiring Agency: Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)
- Division/Unit: Financial Management / Grants Unit
- Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift / 8:00am - 4:30pm
- Days of Work: Monday - Friday
- Travel Required: No
- Salary Range: $44.80 - $64.46 / hourly; $93,542 - $134,592 / annually
- Classified Status: Classified
- Bargaining Unit/Union: 220 - Managerial Plan
- FLSA Status: Exempt - Executive
- Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities : Yes
Job Summary The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is seeking a dynamic leader to direct and modernize the agency's outgoing grants management operations, ensuring strong
internal controls, financial accountability, and consistent statewide grant practices. This role provides strategic oversight for more than $500 million in state and federal funds, guiding the full lifecycle of grants-from policy design and risk mitigation to training and enterprise collaboration. The ideal candidate is an experienced grants professional who thrives at the intersection of financial stewardship, operational excellence, and public service. This is an opportunity to shape statewide grant standards, strengthen internal controls to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse, and elevate the effectiveness of MDH's investments in communities.
Key Responsibilities Include: a { text-decoration: none; color: #464feb;}tr th, tr td { border: 1px solid #e6e6e6;}tr th { background-color: #f5f5f5;}
- Lead agency-wide grants oversight and ensure strong internal controls across all outgoing grant processes.
- Supervise and develop a professional grants management team.
- Drive continuous improvement using analytics, process mapping, and risk-based decision making.
- Ensure compliance with state and federal grant regulations, including the Uniform Guidance.
- Oversee the development and delivery of agencywide grants training programs.
- Serve as MDH's representative in statewide grants governance and cross-agency initiatives.
- Provide authoritative guidance to executives and program leaders on grants policy and compliance.
In accordance with HR/LR Policy #1422 Telework , this position is eligible for up to 50% telework for applicants who live in Minnesota or in a bordering state within 50 miles of the assigned work location. The telework policy may exempt employees who live more than 50 miles from their primary work location from the 50% in-office requirement, depending on job requirements, helping the State of Minnesota access top talent across the state.
Qualifications Minimum Qualifications To facilitate proper crediting, please ensure that your resume clearly describes your experience in the areas listed and indicates the beginning and ending month and year for each job held. Four (4) years of experience working with government grants, is required, along with the following additional qualifications:
- Experience managing the full lifecycle of state or federal grants, including applying internal controls and compliance measures.
- Experience interpreting and applying federal Uniform Guidance and state grant statutes/policies.
- Experience leading process improvement initiatives within a financial, grants, or regulatory environment.
- Experience supervising staff or leading cross-functional project teams.
- Experience developing or implementing grants policies, procedures, or training materials.
Qualifications to be assessed during an interview process: - Strong ability to multitask and manage competing deadlines in a complex, high-volume environment. a { text-decoration: none; color: #464feb;}tr th, tr td { border: 1px solid #e6e6e6;}tr th { background-color: #f5f5f5;}
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to simplify complex policy concepts.
- a { text-decoration: none; color: #464feb;}tr th, tr td { border: 1px solid #e6e6e6;}tr th { background-color: #f5f5f5;} Strong facilitation and relationship-building skills across diverse stakeholder groups.
- Sound judgment, problem-solving, and decision-making skills in ambiguous or high-pressure situations. a { text-decoration: none; color: #464feb;}tr th, tr td { border: 1px solid #e6e6e6;}tr th { background-color: #f5f5f5;}
- Demonstrated ability to lead change, adapt to evolving needs, and champion continuous improvement.
A related degree may substitute for experience as follows: Doctorate degree may substitute for two years of experience; Juris Doctor or master's degree may substitute for 18 months of experience; bachelor's degree may substitute for one year of experience; associate degree may substitute for six months of experience.
Preferred Qualifications a { text-decoration: none; color: #464feb;}tr th, tr td { border: 1px solid #e6e6e6;}tr th { background-color: #f5f5f5;}
- Experience designing or assessing internal controls related to grants, financial monitoring, or risk management. a { text-decoration: none; color: #464feb;}tr th, tr td { border: 1px solid #e6e6e6;}tr th { background-color: #f5f5f5;}
- Experience in government grants management at the state or federal level. a { text-decoration: none; color: #464feb;}tr th, tr td { border: 1px solid #e6e6e6;}tr th { background-color: #f5f5f5;}
- Experience representing an agency or organization in enterprise-wide workgroups or policy forums. a { text-decoration: none; color: #464feb;}tr th, tr td { border: 1px solid #e6e6e6;}tr th { background-color: #f5f5f5;}
- Project management experience leading department-wide or multi-agency initiatives. a { text-decoration: none; color: #464feb;}tr th, tr td { border: 1px solid #e6e6e6;}tr th { background-color: #f5f5f5;}
- Experience developing and delivering training to grant managers or grantees. a { text-decoration: none; color: #464feb;}tr th, tr td { border: 1px solid #e6e6e6;}tr th { background-color: #f5f5f5;}
- National Grants Management Association (NGMA) membership, Grants Management Body of Knowledge (GMBok) training.
- Certified Grants Management Specialist (CGMS) credential (or progress toward credential).
Additional Requirements This position requires successful completion of a background check and employment reference check.
MDH does not participate in the federal E-Verify program and is unable to sponsor applicants for work visas, including F-1 STEM OPT extensions, and cannot complete Form I-9 or any other documentation requiring employer participation in E-Verify. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application.
Application Details How to Apply Select "Apply for Job" at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us . For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers .
Contact If you have questions about this position, contact Kathleen Maertz at kathleen.maertz@state.mn.us or 651-201-5936 .
To receive consideration as a Connect 700 Program applicant, apply online, email the Job ID#, the Working Title and your valid Proof of Eligibility Certificate by the closing date to Kathleen Maertz at kathleen.maertz@state.mn.us .
If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation for an interview, you may contact the Department of Health ADA Coordinator at health.hr.ada@state.mn.us .
