Montgomery County MD
Grant Writer (Senior Planning Specialist, Grade 25)
Montgomery County MD, Rockville, Maryland, us, 20849
Salary :
$81,122.00 - $130,181.00 Annually
Location :
1401 Rockville Pike Rockville MD 20852 USA
Job Type:
Permanent
Remote Employment:
Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number:
2024 - 00381
Department:
Department of Housing and Community Affairs
Division:
HCA 76 Director
Opening Date:
12/04/2024
Closing Date:
12/18/2024 11:59 PM Eastern
FLSA:
Exempt
About the Position
The expected salary range for this role on hire is: $81,122 - $124,282
WHO WE ARE
The Department of Housing and Community Affairs (DHCA) works to preserve and increase the supply of affordable housing, maintain existing housing in a safe and sanitary condition, preserve the safety and quality of residential and commercial areas, ensure fair and equitable relations between landlords and tenants, and support the success of common ownership communities-all with a focus on reducing the impacts racial inequities and climate change.
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
DHCA is seeking a skilled and results-driven Grant Writer to prepare grant submission to secure funding for our affordable housing related initiatives. The ideal candidate will have a proven history of successfully writing grant proposals in the housing or community development sectors. This position is located within the Director's Office at DHCA to serve as the Department's Grant Officer tasked with prospecting, writing, managing grants, and liaising with applicable internal and external agencies associated with grants. Under the supervision of DHCA's Deputy Director, the incumbent will research, coordinate, prepare applications for submission for Federal and State grant opportunities by collaborating with other County agencies and stakeholders.
What You'll Be Doing
The Incoming Grants Officer must independently explore, review, analyze, and prepare applications for available grant opportunities to support DHCA's critical program operations and service delivery. The roles and responsibilities include reviewing and evaluating Federal, State, and other grant funding opportunities, coordinating with department staff, County agencies, and stakeholders, and drafting grant applications, coordinating cross-departmental approvals to secure funding support for DHCA's programs and policy objectives. The incumbent will ensure that all required documentation is prepared with accuracy and in a timely manner.
The incumbent will lead in establishing internal procedures for completing DHCA grant applications and becoming familiar with the required online grant submission portals. The incumbent must be highly organized and possess excellent writing, coordination, and analytical skills. A work-related writing sample may be required from those selected for final review.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Key Responsibilities:
Research and identify relevant grant opportunities to support affordable housing and community development goals. Develop and write compelling, well-researched grant proposals tailored to specific funding agency requirements. Ensure all grant submissions are clear, accurate, and submitted timely, meeting all funding agency guidelines. Coordinate the drafting, technical analysis, and submission of grant applications, including obtaining letters of support and other necessary documentation. Lead the planning, development, and implementation of external initiatives to advocate for and secure grant funding. Assist in the creation of grant strategies for active and potential projects, while monitoring and coordinating ongoing grant funding opportunities. Monitor and attend meetings of external funding agencies, providing insights to internal decision-makers; represent the department at external commission meetings and advisory committees. Manage the execution of grant funding agreements and ensure compliance with grant terms. Respond to internal and external stakeholder inquiries related to grant planning and development; collaborate with internal teams and external partners to align applications with funding requirements. Contribute to the development and refinement of grant writing and management related policies and procedures, recommending improvements as needed; implement approved changes. Prepare and present project and funding updates to external partners, as well as internal analytical reports and presentations for leadership as requested. Conduct complex technical analysis on current funding trends and identify potential funding gaps issues for assigned projects. Coordinate and participate in department discussions related to administrative systems, processes, and operational functions. Attend professional group meetings to stay informed on new trends and innovations in grant management and financial analysis. Actively seek out potential funding opportunities that align with the department's mission of providing affordable housing and building strong communities. Monitor grant award notifications and promptly notify relevant department staff of award status. Evaluate and recommend grant opportunities suggested by the Office of Grants Management. Coordinate the department's response to incoming grant opportunities and ensure timely follow-up. Liaise between DHCA and other County departments, such as the Office of Grants Management, the Office of Management and Budget, the County Attorney's Office, the County Executive's Office, and other stakeholders for the internal processing of grant applications. Manage and ensure timely post-award reporting and grant closeout requirements for other duties or special projects as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Graduation from an accredited 4-year college or university with a Bachelor's degree in public administration, public policy, community development, communications, or a related field.
Experience:
Five (5) years experience in a specialization relating to grant writing, affordable housing, community development, or a specialization appropriate to the assignment of the position.
Equivalency:
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.
Preferred Criteria, Interview Preferences
All Applicants will be reviewed by the Office of Human Resources (OHR) for minimum qualifications. Those applicants who meet minimum qualifications will be rated "Qualified," placed on the Referred List, and may be considered for an interview. Employees meeting minimum qualifications who are the same grade or higher will be placed on the Referred List as a "Transfer" candidate and may be considered for an interview.
Preference for interviews will be given to applicants with experience in the following:
Demonstrated ability to research and identify relevant grant opportunities that align with affordable housing and community development goals. Experience in assessing grant eligibility and matching funding sources with organizational priorities. Proven experience in developing and writing compelling, well-researched grant proposals tailored to specific funding agency requirements. Ability to produce clear, accurate, and timely submissions that meet all grant agency guidelines. Strong organizational skills in coordinating the drafting, technical analysis, and submission of grant applications. Experience in managing cross-functional teams to gather necessary documentation, including letters of support. Experience in leading the planning, development, and execution of external initiatives aimed at securing funding. Ability to advocate for the department's grant goals and build relationships with potential funding partners. Experience interpreting and analyzing requirements for federal and/or state, and foundation NOFOs Skilled at working with internal and external stakeholders, including funding agencies, decision-makers, and community partners. Proven ability to align grant applications with both funding requirements and community development objectives. Experience in researching and working with the regulations and procedures of grant application submittals. Knowledge and familiarity with federal HUD Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships funding. Knowledge of grant funding agreements and compliance requirements. Proven experience managing and monitoring grant funds, ensuring adherence to terms and reporting requirements. Strong analytical skills to conduct complex technical analysis on funding trends, identify funding gaps, and manage cash flow for grant-funded projects. Ability to provide strategic insights to leadership regarding funding strategies. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. Experience in preparing and presenting grant updates and reports to external partners and internal leadership, including analytical reports and funding presentations. Willingness to engage in professional development through networking, attending conferences, and staying updated on industry trends, new funding opportunities, regulatory changes, and best practices in grant management.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
The Office of Human Resources (OHR) reviews the minimum qualifications of all applicants, irrespective of whether the candidate has previously been found to have met the minimum requirements for the job or been temporarily promoted to the same position. This evaluation is based solely on the information contained in the application/resume submitted for this specific position.
Montgomery County Government(MCG) is an equal opportunity employer, committed to workforce diversity. Accordingly, as it relates to employment opportunities, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, in accordance with the law. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should email OHR at OHR@montgomerycountymd.gov. Individual determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made in accordance with all applicable laws.
MCG also provides hiring preference to certain categories of veterans and veterans/persons with a disability. For more information and to claim employment preference, refer to the Careers webpage on Hiring Preference.
All applicants will respond to a series of questions related to their education, relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities required to minimally perform the job. The applicant's responses in conjunction with their resume and all other information provided in the employment application process will be evaluated to determine the minimum qualifications and preferred criteria or interview preference status. Based on the results, the highest qualified applicants will be placed on an Eligible List and may be considered for an interview. Employees meeting minimum qualifications who are the same grade will be placed on the Eligible List as a "Lateral Transfer" candidate and may be considered for an interview.
This will establish an Eligible List that may be used to fill both current and future vacancies.
If selected for consideration for this position, you may be required to provide evidence that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities indicated on your resume.
Montgomery County Ethics Law : Except as provided by law or regulation, the County's "Public Employees" (which does not include employees of the Sheriff's office) are subject to the County's ethics law including the requirements to obtain advanced approval of any outside employment and the prohibitions on certain outside employment. The outside employment requirements of the ethics law can be found at 19A-12 of the County Code. Additional information about outside employment can be obtained from the Ethics Commission website.
Leave Benefits
Our generous leave package starts with non-MLS permanent and term employees earning 15 days of sick leave and 15 days of annual leave in their first year, as well as up to three additional personal days each calendar year. Positions in MLS earn 35 days of paid time off each year. In addition, we offer all employees 10 paid holidays. Our leave policies adhere to the Family Medical Leave Act of 1993, and we provide six weeks of paid parental leave for new parents.
Retirement Benefits
All permanent and term positions are eligible for robust retirement plans. Public safety positions are eligible for a defined benefit pension plan in which they are vested after only five years. Employees in non-public safety positions can participate in retirement plans that contribute up to 12 percent of their annual salary. All employees can also participate in a supplemental retirement plan, the 457 Deferred Compensation Plan, to contribute even more to their retirement goals.
Tuition Assistance & Student Loan Forgiveness
Montgomery County employees are eligible to participate in the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Participants who meet all requirements may qualify for forgiveness on the remaining balance on their Direct Loans after making 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time in a qualifying public service position. To learn more about PSLF, please visit the Student Loan Repayment Benefits page. Our tuition assistance program allows you to receive up to $2,130 annually in tuition assistance to help you achieve a degree that supports your career path.
Free Mass Transit Benefit
County employees are entitled to use the RideOn Bus service for free with a valid County-employee ID. This benefit can be used any time of the day or evening, including weekends. We also offer a pre-tax flexible spending account to reduce the cost of other mass-transit options such as MARC trains and Metro.
Reduced Child and Health Care Costs
Working for Montgomery County also entitles permanent and term employees to participate in healthcare and childcare Flexible Spending Accounts. These plans allow eligible employees to save on a pretax basis for healthcare and dependent care costs incurred during the plan year.
Employee Wellbeing
We deeply care about your holistic wellness. Our award-winning wellness program, LiveWell, will support you in improving and maintaining your physical, mental, financial, social, and intellectual well-being.
Learn more about our wonderful benefits available to you once you join our team.
Montgomery County Benefits
01
MQ Question SENIOR PLANNING SPECIALIST (004402)
What is your highest level of completed education?
N/A High School/GED Associate's Degree Bachelor's Degree Master's Degree Juris Doctor Doctorate
02
MQ Question SENIOR PLANNING SPECIALIST (004402)
Do you have a degree in public policy, community development, communications, or related field?
Yes No
03
MQ Question SENIOR PLANNING SPECIALIST (004402)
How many years of experience do you have in a specialization relating to grant writing, affordable housing, community development, or planning specialization appropriate to the assignment of the position?
No Experience 1-2 Year's Experience 3 Year's Experience 4 Year's Experience 5 Year's Experience 6 Year's Experience 7 Year's Experience 8 Year's Experience 9+ Year's Experience
Required Question
$81,122.00 - $130,181.00 Annually
Location :
1401 Rockville Pike Rockville MD 20852 USA
Job Type:
Permanent
Remote Employment:
Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number:
2024 - 00381
Department:
Department of Housing and Community Affairs
Division:
HCA 76 Director
Opening Date:
12/04/2024
Closing Date:
12/18/2024 11:59 PM Eastern
FLSA:
Exempt
About the Position
The expected salary range for this role on hire is: $81,122 - $124,282
WHO WE ARE
The Department of Housing and Community Affairs (DHCA) works to preserve and increase the supply of affordable housing, maintain existing housing in a safe and sanitary condition, preserve the safety and quality of residential and commercial areas, ensure fair and equitable relations between landlords and tenants, and support the success of common ownership communities-all with a focus on reducing the impacts racial inequities and climate change.
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
DHCA is seeking a skilled and results-driven Grant Writer to prepare grant submission to secure funding for our affordable housing related initiatives. The ideal candidate will have a proven history of successfully writing grant proposals in the housing or community development sectors. This position is located within the Director's Office at DHCA to serve as the Department's Grant Officer tasked with prospecting, writing, managing grants, and liaising with applicable internal and external agencies associated with grants. Under the supervision of DHCA's Deputy Director, the incumbent will research, coordinate, prepare applications for submission for Federal and State grant opportunities by collaborating with other County agencies and stakeholders.
What You'll Be Doing
The Incoming Grants Officer must independently explore, review, analyze, and prepare applications for available grant opportunities to support DHCA's critical program operations and service delivery. The roles and responsibilities include reviewing and evaluating Federal, State, and other grant funding opportunities, coordinating with department staff, County agencies, and stakeholders, and drafting grant applications, coordinating cross-departmental approvals to secure funding support for DHCA's programs and policy objectives. The incumbent will ensure that all required documentation is prepared with accuracy and in a timely manner.
The incumbent will lead in establishing internal procedures for completing DHCA grant applications and becoming familiar with the required online grant submission portals. The incumbent must be highly organized and possess excellent writing, coordination, and analytical skills. A work-related writing sample may be required from those selected for final review.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Key Responsibilities:
Research and identify relevant grant opportunities to support affordable housing and community development goals. Develop and write compelling, well-researched grant proposals tailored to specific funding agency requirements. Ensure all grant submissions are clear, accurate, and submitted timely, meeting all funding agency guidelines. Coordinate the drafting, technical analysis, and submission of grant applications, including obtaining letters of support and other necessary documentation. Lead the planning, development, and implementation of external initiatives to advocate for and secure grant funding. Assist in the creation of grant strategies for active and potential projects, while monitoring and coordinating ongoing grant funding opportunities. Monitor and attend meetings of external funding agencies, providing insights to internal decision-makers; represent the department at external commission meetings and advisory committees. Manage the execution of grant funding agreements and ensure compliance with grant terms. Respond to internal and external stakeholder inquiries related to grant planning and development; collaborate with internal teams and external partners to align applications with funding requirements. Contribute to the development and refinement of grant writing and management related policies and procedures, recommending improvements as needed; implement approved changes. Prepare and present project and funding updates to external partners, as well as internal analytical reports and presentations for leadership as requested. Conduct complex technical analysis on current funding trends and identify potential funding gaps issues for assigned projects. Coordinate and participate in department discussions related to administrative systems, processes, and operational functions. Attend professional group meetings to stay informed on new trends and innovations in grant management and financial analysis. Actively seek out potential funding opportunities that align with the department's mission of providing affordable housing and building strong communities. Monitor grant award notifications and promptly notify relevant department staff of award status. Evaluate and recommend grant opportunities suggested by the Office of Grants Management. Coordinate the department's response to incoming grant opportunities and ensure timely follow-up. Liaise between DHCA and other County departments, such as the Office of Grants Management, the Office of Management and Budget, the County Attorney's Office, the County Executive's Office, and other stakeholders for the internal processing of grant applications. Manage and ensure timely post-award reporting and grant closeout requirements for other duties or special projects as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Graduation from an accredited 4-year college or university with a Bachelor's degree in public administration, public policy, community development, communications, or a related field.
Experience:
Five (5) years experience in a specialization relating to grant writing, affordable housing, community development, or a specialization appropriate to the assignment of the position.
Equivalency:
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.
Preferred Criteria, Interview Preferences
All Applicants will be reviewed by the Office of Human Resources (OHR) for minimum qualifications. Those applicants who meet minimum qualifications will be rated "Qualified," placed on the Referred List, and may be considered for an interview. Employees meeting minimum qualifications who are the same grade or higher will be placed on the Referred List as a "Transfer" candidate and may be considered for an interview.
Preference for interviews will be given to applicants with experience in the following:
Demonstrated ability to research and identify relevant grant opportunities that align with affordable housing and community development goals. Experience in assessing grant eligibility and matching funding sources with organizational priorities. Proven experience in developing and writing compelling, well-researched grant proposals tailored to specific funding agency requirements. Ability to produce clear, accurate, and timely submissions that meet all grant agency guidelines. Strong organizational skills in coordinating the drafting, technical analysis, and submission of grant applications. Experience in managing cross-functional teams to gather necessary documentation, including letters of support. Experience in leading the planning, development, and execution of external initiatives aimed at securing funding. Ability to advocate for the department's grant goals and build relationships with potential funding partners. Experience interpreting and analyzing requirements for federal and/or state, and foundation NOFOs Skilled at working with internal and external stakeholders, including funding agencies, decision-makers, and community partners. Proven ability to align grant applications with both funding requirements and community development objectives. Experience in researching and working with the regulations and procedures of grant application submittals. Knowledge and familiarity with federal HUD Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships funding. Knowledge of grant funding agreements and compliance requirements. Proven experience managing and monitoring grant funds, ensuring adherence to terms and reporting requirements. Strong analytical skills to conduct complex technical analysis on funding trends, identify funding gaps, and manage cash flow for grant-funded projects. Ability to provide strategic insights to leadership regarding funding strategies. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. Experience in preparing and presenting grant updates and reports to external partners and internal leadership, including analytical reports and funding presentations. Willingness to engage in professional development through networking, attending conferences, and staying updated on industry trends, new funding opportunities, regulatory changes, and best practices in grant management.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
The Office of Human Resources (OHR) reviews the minimum qualifications of all applicants, irrespective of whether the candidate has previously been found to have met the minimum requirements for the job or been temporarily promoted to the same position. This evaluation is based solely on the information contained in the application/resume submitted for this specific position.
Montgomery County Government(MCG) is an equal opportunity employer, committed to workforce diversity. Accordingly, as it relates to employment opportunities, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, in accordance with the law. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should email OHR at OHR@montgomerycountymd.gov. Individual determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made in accordance with all applicable laws.
MCG also provides hiring preference to certain categories of veterans and veterans/persons with a disability. For more information and to claim employment preference, refer to the Careers webpage on Hiring Preference.
All applicants will respond to a series of questions related to their education, relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities required to minimally perform the job. The applicant's responses in conjunction with their resume and all other information provided in the employment application process will be evaluated to determine the minimum qualifications and preferred criteria or interview preference status. Based on the results, the highest qualified applicants will be placed on an Eligible List and may be considered for an interview. Employees meeting minimum qualifications who are the same grade will be placed on the Eligible List as a "Lateral Transfer" candidate and may be considered for an interview.
This will establish an Eligible List that may be used to fill both current and future vacancies.
If selected for consideration for this position, you may be required to provide evidence that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities indicated on your resume.
Montgomery County Ethics Law : Except as provided by law or regulation, the County's "Public Employees" (which does not include employees of the Sheriff's office) are subject to the County's ethics law including the requirements to obtain advanced approval of any outside employment and the prohibitions on certain outside employment. The outside employment requirements of the ethics law can be found at 19A-12 of the County Code. Additional information about outside employment can be obtained from the Ethics Commission website.
Leave Benefits
Our generous leave package starts with non-MLS permanent and term employees earning 15 days of sick leave and 15 days of annual leave in their first year, as well as up to three additional personal days each calendar year. Positions in MLS earn 35 days of paid time off each year. In addition, we offer all employees 10 paid holidays. Our leave policies adhere to the Family Medical Leave Act of 1993, and we provide six weeks of paid parental leave for new parents.
Retirement Benefits
All permanent and term positions are eligible for robust retirement plans. Public safety positions are eligible for a defined benefit pension plan in which they are vested after only five years. Employees in non-public safety positions can participate in retirement plans that contribute up to 12 percent of their annual salary. All employees can also participate in a supplemental retirement plan, the 457 Deferred Compensation Plan, to contribute even more to their retirement goals.
Tuition Assistance & Student Loan Forgiveness
Montgomery County employees are eligible to participate in the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Participants who meet all requirements may qualify for forgiveness on the remaining balance on their Direct Loans after making 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time in a qualifying public service position. To learn more about PSLF, please visit the Student Loan Repayment Benefits page. Our tuition assistance program allows you to receive up to $2,130 annually in tuition assistance to help you achieve a degree that supports your career path.
Free Mass Transit Benefit
County employees are entitled to use the RideOn Bus service for free with a valid County-employee ID. This benefit can be used any time of the day or evening, including weekends. We also offer a pre-tax flexible spending account to reduce the cost of other mass-transit options such as MARC trains and Metro.
Reduced Child and Health Care Costs
Working for Montgomery County also entitles permanent and term employees to participate in healthcare and childcare Flexible Spending Accounts. These plans allow eligible employees to save on a pretax basis for healthcare and dependent care costs incurred during the plan year.
Employee Wellbeing
We deeply care about your holistic wellness. Our award-winning wellness program, LiveWell, will support you in improving and maintaining your physical, mental, financial, social, and intellectual well-being.
Learn more about our wonderful benefits available to you once you join our team.
Montgomery County Benefits
01
MQ Question SENIOR PLANNING SPECIALIST (004402)
What is your highest level of completed education?
N/A High School/GED Associate's Degree Bachelor's Degree Master's Degree Juris Doctor Doctorate
02
MQ Question SENIOR PLANNING SPECIALIST (004402)
Do you have a degree in public policy, community development, communications, or related field?
Yes No
03
MQ Question SENIOR PLANNING SPECIALIST (004402)
How many years of experience do you have in a specialization relating to grant writing, affordable housing, community development, or planning specialization appropriate to the assignment of the position?
No Experience 1-2 Year's Experience 3 Year's Experience 4 Year's Experience 5 Year's Experience 6 Year's Experience 7 Year's Experience 8 Year's Experience 9+ Year's Experience
Required Question