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By Ryan Oster, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife
Individuals new to the job often ask the question, “What exactly is my role as a federal aid coordinator?” It’s a fair question. Take for example a recently promoted fisheries biologist who has spent the last 10 years successfully implementing “on-the-water” conservation activities. They were promoted because he/she has proven that they can manage the resource and has a passion for it. As a federal aid coordinator, they find themselves now tasked as an administrator managing grants, budgets, and personnel; all perhaps from behind a desk, meanwhile leaving the responsibility of field work to others. It’s no wonder why individuals may initially feel like a “fish out of water.”
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Determining eligibility, developing grant proposals, verifying accurate coding, and ensuring timely completion of projects is but a mere fraction of the job duties of today’s federal aid coordinator. The most skilled coordinators understand that the acceptance of federal funds triggers compliance requirements that must be ensured throughout each phase of the grants management process. Examples of compliance include: nondiscriminatory (i.g. civil rights, ADA); environmental (i.g. NEPA, Endangered Species Act); historic and cultural (i.g. National Historic Preservation Act), and administrative (i.g.[CTM2] Drug Drug-Free Workplace, Uniform Relocation). As if this list were not encompassing enough, additional compliance requirements are included as part of the annual submission of the Statement of Assurances; specifically, “Will comply with all applicable requirements of all other Federal laws, executive orders, regulations, and policies governing this program.” Failure to comply with such requirements can put the grantee at risk for the suspension of federal grant funds, including the suspension of future grant funding opportunities.
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