FA Training Options

Overview

Welcome to WSFR Financial Assistance Training!

Welcome to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (Service) - Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR) Program, Division of Financial Assistance Support and Oversight, Systems & Training Branch, financial assistance training program.  The purpose of the WSFR financial assistance training program is to provide national training to both Service-staff and recipients in order to develop basic and specialized financial assistance management knowledge and skills, as well as promote consistent and sensible application of regulations, rules, policies, and procedures throughout the WSFR-administered programs.  Our courses aim to inform and educate state and federal grant management staff members to deal effectively with grant management processes and issues.

The Service's mission statement is: Working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.  "The accomplishment of the Service mission is dependent upon the effectiveness of its financial assistance (i.e., grants and cooperative agreements) function." (Service Acquisition and Financial Assistance Management Review, 2010).

The Training Branch offers a suite of financial assistance training options including live, in-person, classroom instruction, online courses, and virtual learning series videos.  Please review the options we offer.

If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact the WSFR Training Program Coordinator Ryan Oster (ryan_oster@fws.gov or 304-596-3641).

Advanced Grants Management (AGM)

Course Type: Instructor-led classroom training 

Course Duration: 32 hours (4 days, in-person)

Course Contact: Mike Sawyers (michael_sawyers@fws.gov or 571-289-5821) or Heidi Nelson (heidi_nelson@fws.gov or 503-412-8637)

Course Description: This course focuses on advances topics associated with the implementation and administration of Office of Conservation Investment (CI) financial assistance (grants and cooperative agreements) awards.  Specifically this course focuses on current and past common audit findings identified in awards under the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration grant programs.  Emphasis is placed on compliance with administrative and cost-principles related to laws, Code of Federal Regulations, OMB Circulars, and program policies/guidance.  Advanced topics include license certification, program funding requirements, safety margins, third-party in-kind match, personal property, managing and monitoring Federal awards, indirect costs, subrecipient vs contractor determination, allowable costs, and completing the SF-425 (Federal financial report).    

Participants will listen to lecture and then work individually and in small groups to answer questions/exercises aimed at highlighting specific learning points.

Who should take this course: This course is targeted towards recipient staff that are responsible for the coordination and/or financial administration of Office of Conservation Investment (CI) awards.  This typically includes program coordinators and accountants, as well as staff that oversee CI awards or manage budgets associated with CI awards.

This course is also beneficial for CI staff who review, approve, manage and monitor, and close out CI awards.  This includes both programmatic and fiscal staff. 

Course Objectives: The purpose of this course is to provide participants with a conceptual and working knowledge of advanced administrative and financial issues associated with applying for, receiving, managing, and closing out financial assistance awards administered by the Office of Conservation Investment (CI).  The goal is to empower participants to more effectively manage award funding, reduce audit findings, improve compliance with administrative and financial rules and regulations, and promote national consistency throughout the CI-administered programs.  The objectives of this course are to increase participant’s knowledge, skills, and abilities related to:

• Understanding Congressional Acts, Code of Federal Regulations, Office of Management and Budget guidance, and Service policies and guidance.
• Administrative compliance requirements, including subrecipient monitoring.
• Issues arising from management and monitoring of Federal financial assistance awards, spending mandates, and the grants management process.
• Audit findings that result from various aspects of noncompliance with statutes, regulations, and terms and conditions of Federal awards.

Course Availability / Enrollment: This course is taught twice a year.  The course is typically taught in June and rotates annually between the Office of Conservation Investment (CI) Regional Offices at either Sacramento, CA. and Portland, OR.  Additionally, the course is typically taught in October at the National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, WV.  To register for a course, please click below on the link to the desired course. 

AGM  hosted at the National Conservation Training Center (698 Conservation Way, Shepherdstown, WV.) - September 30 - October 3, 2024.  Click here to register.  Registration will close on June 1, 2024, or earlier if the class reaches capacity.

Tuition/Cost: Tuition is free (paid by CI). Students are responsible for lodging, per diem, and all travel costs. For classes held at the National Conservation Training Center (NCTC) in Shepherdstown, WV, please refer to the NCTC campus/lodging rates for lodging costs (includes meals) and campus/shuttle for shuttle service cost/information.  For classes held in other locations, students will be responsible for securing their own travel and lodging accommodations.

Financial Assistance Toolkit:  Persons attending the Advanced Grants Management course will learn to use a variety of resources, including the CI Financial Assistance Toolkit.  The CI Toolkit is an online collection of financial assistance laws, regulations, policies, and guidance related to the WSFR-administered financial assistance programs.  To access the Toolkit, please click here.

Basic Grants Management (BGM)

Course Type: Instructor-led classroom training 

Course Duration: 32 hours (4 days, in-person)

Course Contact: Heidi Nelson (heidi_nelson@fws.gov or 503-412-8637) or Mike Sawyers (michael_sawyers@fws.gov or 571-289-5821) 

Course Description: This course provides a basic overview of the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR) Programs and the financial assistance grant programs that the Office of Conservation Investment (CI) administers.  The course focuses on a basic understanding of the laws, regulations, and policies/procedures under CI-administered financial assistance grant programs, with a strong emphasis on the Wildlife Restoration and Sport Fish Restoration programs.  Emphasis is placed on understanding the grants management lifecycle including pre-award, award, post-award, closeout, and post-closeout.  Topics will focus on writing approvable project statements, environmental / historic compliance, submitting complete application packages, reviewing Notice of Awards, allowable costs, reporting requirements, and closing out completed grant awards.  

Participants will listen to lecture and then work individually and in small groups to answer questions/exercises aimed at highlighting specific learning points.  

Who should take this course: This course is targeted towards applicant/recipient staff who are new to their positions (less than 12 months experience) responsible for the coordination and/or financial administration of Office of Conservation Investment (CI) awards.  This typically includes program coordinators, fiscal staff, and other recipient staff who manage budgets associated with CI awards.  

This course is also beneficial for new CI staff who review, approve, manage and monitor, and close out CI awards.  Service policy 232 FW 1 requires all CI personnel who work with CI-administered grant programs to complete the Basic Grants Management Class or the Basic Financial Assistance course.

Attendance and completion of the Basic Grants Management or the Basic Financial Assistance course is a pre-requisite for participants to enroll in the Advanced Grants Management.  

Course Objectives: The purpose of this course is to provide participants with a conceptual and working knowledge of the basic administrative and financial issues associated with applying for, receiving, managing, and closing out financial assistance awards administered by the Office of Conservation Investment.  The goal is to empower participants to more effectively manage award funding, reduce audit findings, improve compliance with administrative and financial rule and regulations, and promote national consistency throughout the CI-administered programs.  The objectives of the course are to increase increase participant's knowledge, skills, and abilities related to:  

• Describing the various financial assistance programs administered by CI.
• Understanding of financial assistance laws, regulations (including 2 CFR 200 and 50 CFR 80), policies, and procedures.
• Describing the roles and responsibilities of federal and state/grantee partners in managing CI awards.
• Developing, submitting, and managing a CI award.
• Using the CI Toolkit as a financial assistance resource.
• Building a network of professional grant management contacts.

Course Availability / Enrollment: This course is taught twice a year.  The course is typically taught in Spring at the National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, WV.  Additionally, the course is also taught in Fall at the WSFR Regional Office in Lakewood, CO.  

Tuition/Cost: Tuition is free (paid by CI). Students are responsible for lodging, per diem, and all travel costs. For classes held at the National Conservation Training Center (NCTC) in Shepherdstown, WV, please refer to the NCTC campus/lodging rates for lodging costs (includes meals) and campus/shuttle for shuttle service cost/information. For classes held in other locations, students will be responsible for securing their own travel and lodging accommodations.

Persons attending the Basic Grants Management course will learn to use a variety of resources, including the Office of Conservation Investment (CI) Financial Assistance Toolkit.  The CI Toolkit is an online collection of financial assistance laws, regulations, policies, and guidance related to the CI-administered financial assistance programs.  To access the Toolkit, please click here. 

Lands Grants Management

Course Type: Instructor-led classroom training 

Course Duration: 24 hours (3 days, in-person)

Course Contact: Heidi Nelson (heidi_nelson@fws.gov or 503-412-8637) or Mike Sawyers (michael_sawyers@fws.gov or 571-289-5821) 

Course Description: This course provides a basic knowledge of Federal requirements to submit, review, approve, manage/monitor, and closeout real property acquisition grants administered by the Office of Conservation Investment (CI). Topics include land valuation and appraisal standards, acquisition procedures, Uniform Act compliance, managing and monitoring real property assets, land as match, reporting, and disposal of real property.

Who should take this course: This course is targeted towards CI staff and applicants/recipients who apply for and manage real property awards under the WSFR-administered programs.  This may include State federal aid coordinators, fiscal staff, and real property specialists.

There is no prerequisite required to attend this course.  However, a basic understanding and knowledge of Federal financial assistance is generally required.

Course Objectives: The purpose of this course is to provide participants with a conceptual and working knowledge of real property and the administrative and programmatic requirements associated with Federal financial assistance awards.  The goal is to empower participants to more effectively manage real property award funds, reduce audit findings, improve compliance with administrative and financial rules and regulations, and promote national consistency throughout the Office of Conservation Investment-administered programs.  The objectives of this course are to increase participants knowledge, skills, and abilities related to:

• Compliance requirements of NEPA, Section 7, SHPO, and the Uniform Act.
• Writing acceptable project statements (narratives) for real property awards.
• Understanding the various types of real property interests.
• Identifying the appropriate valuation methods for determining reasonable cost for real property acquired with CI funds.
• Writing/submitting performance reports for land awards.
• Recognizing the recipient/subrecipient responsibilities for disposal of interests in real property acquired with CI funds or contributed as match for a CI award.
• Understanding the recipient's responsibilities for managing, monitoring, and inventory control of real property and conservation easements.

Course Availability / Enrollment: This course is taught once a year.  To register for a course, please click below on the link to the desired course. 

Land Grants Management held at the National Conservation Training Center (698 Conservation Way, Shepherdstown, WV.) - September 10-12, 2024.  Click here to register.  Registration will close on  June 30, 2024.

Tuition/Cost: Tuition is free (paid by CI).  Students are responsible for lodging, per diem, and all travel costs. For classes held at the National Conservation Training Center (NCTC) in Shepherdstown, WV, please refer to the NCTC campus/lodging rates for lodging costs (includes meals) and campus/shuttle for shuttle service cost/information. For classes held in other locations, students will be responsible for securing their own travel and lodging accommodations.

Accessibility: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is committed to providing access to this course (event) for all participants. Please direct all requests for sign language interpreting services, close captioning, or other accommodation needs to Heidi Nelson (heidi_nelson@fws.gov or 503-412-8637).

Financial Assistance Toolkit: Persons attending the Land Grants Management course will learn to use a variety of resources, including the Office of Conservation Investment (CI) Financial Assistance Toolkit.  The CI Toolkit is an online collection of financial assistance laws, regulations, policies, and guidance related to the CI-administered financial assistance programs.  To access the Toolkit, please click here.

Project Leaders Course (PLC)

Type: Instructor-led classroom training

* If you would like to consider an online version of this course visit: Online Project Leaders Course

Duration: 16 hours

Description:
This course is an instructor led classroom training opportunity offered at the regional level for multiple states within each Office of Conservation Investment (CI) region. The instructor led classroom course provides a basic overview of grant requirements and processes for CI-administered grant project leaders (state agency staff) with emphasis on the knowledge and use of the Service guidance, regulations, rules and supplemental documents in writing grant proposals, project statements, and annual performance reports. The course also covers practical issues relating to budgeting, compliance issues, inventory control, outreach and interaction with state and federal grant managers. Course is conducted at locations selected by each CI regional office. 

Who should take this course:
Persons responsible for planning, implementing, reporting and/or overseeing agency projects/activities receiving CI-administered grant funding. 

Objectives:

• Understand and apply general and specific grant program related guidance.
• Describe the basic administrative and fiscal processes of CI-administered grant management.
• Describe the roles and responsibilities of the federal and state partners.
• Identify state and federal compliance issues related to CI grants.
• Write project statements, grant narratives and reports.

Availability: 
Offered annually in most CI Regions. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is committed to providing access to this course (event) for all participants. 

Tuition/Cost: 

Tuition is free (paid by CI). Students are responsible for lodging, per diem, and all travel costs. For classes held at the National Conservation Training Center (NCTC) in Shepherdstown, WV, please refer to the NCTC campus/lodging rates for lodging costs (includes meals) and campus/shuttle for shuttle service cost/information. For classes held in other locations, students will be responsible for securing their own travel and lodging accommodations.

Accessibility: 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is committed to providing access to this course (event) for all participants. Please direct all requests for sign language interpreting services, close captioning, or other accommodation needs to Mike Sawyers (michael_sawyers@fws.gov or 571-289-5821) or Heidi Nelson (heidi_nelson@fws.gov or 503-412-8637).

Questions:

Mike Sawyers (michael_sawyers@fws.gov or 571-289-5821) or Heidi Nelson (heidi_nelson@fws.gov or 503-412-8637)