External Funding Compliance Specialist

Application due date: December 22, 2025

Location: Maple Grove, MN (Hybrid work schedule with 20-30% travel)

Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without restriction. Visa sponsorship is not available.

We are the people we power. As Minnesota’s not-for-profit electric cooperative, our member-owners and their members impact every decision we make. Because their needs are our needs, and their dreams are our dreams 

Summary:

Responsible for ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations for grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts supporting Great River Energy (GRE) and member-owner initiatives. Supports clean energy projects, energy efficiency programs, and infrastructure efforts by maintaining regulatory compliance, facilitating audits, and overseeing financial and programmatic reporting. Coordinates across divisions including partnering with IT to support accurate cost tracking and reporting systems. Collaborates with member services and other departments to pursue external funding opportunities that align with GRE’s strategic priorities. 

Total Rewards:

A typical starting range for this position is $102,000 - $140,000+ annually. We offer market competitive base pay and adjust our offer accordingly based upon the value of the candidate’s knowledge, skills and experience. In addition, our Total Rewards strategy focuses on recognizing individual performance and rewarding business results. Our robust Total Rewards package includes exceptional benefits and retirement, a focus on continuous engagement, recognition, personal and professional development, and an emphasis on work-life effectiveness.

Responsibilities: Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

· Support the development, administration, and reporting of federal and state grants and loans.

· Monitor compliance with federal grant regulations, agency requirements, and internal controls.

· Interpret and apply rules and guidelines from key agencies, including the USDA, Rural Utilities Service (RUS), and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

· Assist with budgeting, cost allocation, financial tracking, and reporting for grant-funded projects.

· Participate in audit and monitoring activities to ensure accurate documentation and alignment with funding requirements.

· Analyze technical and financial details of energy projects to support organizational decision making.

· Quantify and track community and stakeholder benefits associated with programs and initiatives.

· Collaborate with internal teams and cooperative partners to advance projects that support electric cooperative goals.

Qualifications: 

Knowledge typically acquired through a bachelor’s degree in public administration, finance, energy policy, engineering, environmental studies or a related field/equivalent. Minimum of seven years working on loan and grant funding compliance activities. Experience working with federal and/or state funding or regulatory compliance efforts is required. Familiarity of electric utilities and the cooperative model a plus. 

The ideal candidate will possess the following:

• Strong knowledge of federal and state grant regulations, compliance frameworks, and reporting requirements, including agency-specific rules for USDA, RUS, and DOE.

• Knowledge of grant and financial management principles such as budgeting, reporting, cost allocation, internal controls, and audit/monitoring procedures.

• Understanding of electric cooperatives, their operations, and the business goals of GRE and its member cooperatives.

• Skills in data collection, analysis, visualization, and reporting to support technical, financial, and stakeholder needs.

• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to present professionally and collaborate across all organizational levels and external partners.

• Ability to develop process and technology solutions that enhance compliance and administrative efficiency; proficiency with Microsoft Office and report-writing tools.

• Ability to adapt to rapidly changing business needs and maintain a valid driver’s license.

Working Conditions 

(Include the travel requirements; physical requirements, office/field requirements; ADA compliance requirements) 

Approximately 20-30 percent travel to member cooperatives, regulatory agencies, other electric utilities and regional or national meetings/events. While performing the duties of this job, employees are regularly required to sit for extended periods of time, walk and stand; talk both in person and by telephone; use hands and fingers to handle, feel or operate standard office equipment; reach with hands and arms; and lift up to 25 pounds. Vision abilities include close and distant focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate. May on occasion be exposed to loud sounds and distracting noise levels. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Apply: Qualified candidates please apply at www.greatriverenergy.com (under the Careers tab) by Dec. 22, 2025. GRE values diversity, equity and inclusion and we are an equal employment opportunity employer.

About Great River Energy

Powering what’s possible Great River Energy is a not-for-profit electricity provider owned by our 26 distribution cooperatives in Minnesota and Wisconsin for which we generate and transmit electricity. We provide wholesale electric service to our member owners who distribute electricity to approximately 660,000 member consumers - or about 1.7 million people. A diverse mix of generation resources - Our power plants generate more than 2,800 megawatts of electricity and several solar arrays capable of producing 650 kilowatts. In addition, we purchase wind and hydroelectric energy. Your electricity is delivered through power lines to you. Every time you plug in your toaster, television or other electrical device, a system of power lines goes to work to bring you the power you need. Our job at Great River Energy is to keep the lights on by providing a safe & reliable supply of electricity.

Connections working at Great River Energy