1.0 Overview of the organization
The Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust (PRSTRT or Trust) is a private non- profit organization created in 2004 to encourage and promote innovation, transfer and commercialization of technology and creation of jobs in the technology sector. We are responsible for Puerto Rico’s public policy for science, technology, research and development. The Trust’s mission is to invest, facilitate and build capacity to continually advance Puerto Rico’s economy and its citizens’ well-being through innovation-driven enterprises, science and technology and its industrial base. Our vision is that by 2022, Puerto Rico is a globally recognized innovation hub that develops, attracts, and retains scientists, technology entrepreneurs, and enterprises to unlock world class creativity and competitiveness.
The Re-grow Puerto Rico urban and Rural Agriculture (RGRW) Program was designed to spur economic recovery specifically in the agriculture sector. Through its Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funding, PRDOH is addressing the unmet economic development needs on the island to encourage long- term, sustainable revitalization across industries and sectors through a suite of economic development programs. The Re-Grow PR Urban and Rural Agriculture Program will build agricultural capacity and meet the needs created by the hurricanes through a substantial investment of CDBG-DR funds in a wide variety of viable agricultural activities. Citizens served by the program will be diverse; spanning from urban to rural areas and across many age groups. The Program will focus on small and medium sized farms, agricultural businesses and non-governmental organizations engaged in sustainable agricultural activities that were affected by the 2017 storms. The Program will expose individuals to agricultural opportunities while simultaneously helping established producers create employment opportunities across the sector. Re-Grow has a focus of:
- Promoting and increasing food security island wide; and
- Enhancing and expanding agricultural production related to economic revitalization and sustainable development
The Re-Grow program is a partnership among the Puerto Rico Science Technology & Research Trust (PRSTRT) and the P.R. Department of Housing (PRDOH) that will disburse grants and provide technical assistance to small farmers and agricultural businesses impacted by the hurricanes.
2.0 Job Description
| Job Title: | Re-Grow Case Manager |
| Reports to: | Lead Case Manager and Program Director |
| Location / Hours: | San Juan, Puerto Rico – Full -Time position |
| Purpose: | Coordinating and providing eligibility assessments that is safe, timely, effective, efficient, equitable, and applicant centered. Handling case assignments, draft performance plans, review case progress and determine case closure. Helping applicants achieve eligibility in timely and coordinated manner. Evaluate, assess and recommend eligible or ineligible determination of Program application. Proactively identify and propose developments and improvements on programmatic areas. |
| Key Responsibilities and Duties: | 1. Perform a review of all documents required from Applicants and third parties and ensure that the provided documents are enough according to Program policies and procedures.
2. Work with Applicant, municipalities, taxing authorities, insurance companies, third-party inspectors, lenders, other vendors, and by using automated software, as needed, to collect information to perform a complete eligibility verification of the applications. 3. Maintain records and communications for detection and prevention of fraud, waste, and abuse (FWA) of federal funds. FWA items must be addressed in accordance with established PRDOH policies. 4. Review documents and information provided by the Applicant to determine Program eligibility or ineligibility, in accordance with Re-Grow Program policies and procedures, as may be amended from time to time. 5. Send eligibility, ineligibility, missing documents letters, and any other required Program notifications. Notifications may be sent via email or postal mail, in accordance with any applicable regulations and Applicant communication preferences. 6. Advise Applicants who are deemed ineligible and inform them of the applicable appeals process. 7. Provide eligibility decision justification to appeals team, when necessary. 8. Review all open application, eligibility determination, and/or Applicant issues. 9. Document communications with Applicants regarding the status of their applications and subsequent related processes. 10. Any other task necessary to complete timely eligibility review of applications. 11.Confer with underwriters to aid in resolving grant application problems. Since our organization is going to change to meet the needs of new designations, you can expect, anticipate, and assume that your job description will change to meet these challenges. |
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Qualifications & Technical Job Requirements |
• Ability to communicate clearly, specifically when on the phone using a headset
• Computer proficiency in a Windows setting, including Microsoft Office, email, and internet access. • Understand and utilize company provided computer and telephony systems • Excellent communication skills to use throughout all levels of the organization • Comfortable and competent in both written and oral communications • Results-driven attitude • Focus on details, accuracy, and client resolution • Possess accurate record keeping, writing and grammar skills. • Complex Problem Solving — Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions. |
| Experience & Educational Requirement: | The minimum educational qualification required is a BBA diploma from a regionally accredited institution, preferably in Business Administration or Agricultural Sciences. Highly desirable a master’s degree certification from a regionally accredited institution. In addition, three years of experience in Business Development, Finance, federally funded programs or non-profit management. |