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Content Summary: Grant Writer at Chicago, for Chicago Public Schools

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 320,000 students in 500+ schools and employing over 44,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. In order to fulfill this mission, we make three commitments to our students, their families, and all Chicagoans: academic progress, financial stability, and integrity. Six core values are embedded within these commitments - student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning.

The Office of Budget and Grants Management (OBGM) supports the strategic utilization of all resources, aligning them to district priorities by spearheading CPS' financial strategy to support effective budget planning and maximizing available funds. As part of this work, the formula and competitive grants management team provides oversight of the operations of State and Federal awards to ensure compliance with applicable grant expenditure requirements and performance expectations are being achieved.

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Manager, Grants Development, a Grant Writer initiates, facilitates, and oversees the development of applications for funding through highly competitive federal, state, and other grant opportunities, as well as providing post-award support to departments to help ensure timely and appropriate use of grant funds and successful grant implementation.

The Grant Writer develops grant proposals of various size and scope in response to Requests for Proposal (RFPs) issued by funding agencies. The Grant Writer leads the proposal design process, in collaboration with CPS departments, by: (1) participating as part of a cross-functional internal team focused on identifying opportunities that match district needs and priorities; (2) collaborating with relevant CPS staff to develop applications based on those ideas; (3) integrating appropriate, current research; (4) drafting all application materials; (5) preparing budgets, including by identifying and documenting matching funds; and (6) ensuring compliance with grant guidelines. Writing responsibilities range from writing an entire proposal to critiquing, editing, and rewriting drafts. The Grant Writer may also be asked to develop processes for selecting partners and/or to support partner organizations applying for grants that serve CPS students and families. Post-award, the Grant Writer is responsible to support departments in successful grant implementation by coordinating required plans, applications, amendments, and reporting for grants, especially as connected to department strategic plans and priorities. This is a full-time exempt position that will be paid for time worked on a salary basis

This position will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:
• Support multiple stakeholders and complex grant development process, applying knowledge of educational content areas, district priorities, and proposal requirements to ensure that proposed strategies meet district needs while complying with grant guidelines;
• Establish operational objectives, work plans, timelines, and assignments for proposal development, determining how to use resources to meet objectives and schedules and collaborating with appropriate district staff and external partners; Provide writing assistance that can range from critiquing, editing, and rewriting drafts to writing an entire proposal;
• Ensure submission of complete and accurate applications within grant deadlines;
• Collect, develop, and submit documentation for conditions for funding;
• Monitor websites regularly for funding opportunities and announcements, providing recommendations on district eligibility and alignment of opportunities with district needs and priorities;
• Collaborate with other teams in Budget, Procurement, Internal Audit, and other operational teams in the review and monitoring of financial transactions to ensure adherence to grant and internal policies;
• Meet with stakeholders, including department administrators, to review data analysis and spending trends to prevent and resolve grant issues;
• Provide on-site technical assistance and strategy support to schools, networks, and central office groups to maximize the use of grant funds aligned to grant requirements;
• Support schools, networks, and central office departments to prepare for monitoring visits and reviews, and to remedy grant compliance issues and/or audit findings;
• Review and route Memorandums of Understanding (MOU)'s, letters of support, and other application components in support of partner organizations applying for grants that serve CPS students and families;
• Assist in the development, presentation, and distribution of written guidelines, procedures, and protocols on allowable and appropriate use of grant funds;
• Participate in all assigned special projects and explore process improvement initiatives to increase the productivity and efficiency of the unit;
• Other duties as assigned.

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, this position must possess the following qualifications:

Education Required:
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in English, Education, Public Policy, or related field is required

Experience Required:
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience developing grant proposals is required
• Previous experience with federal grant proposals is highly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Ability to analyze grant guidelines and apply comprehensive knowledge of educational content to grant requirements. Strong attention to detail is required.
• Ability to work on multiple high-stakes, deadline-driven projects simultaneously.
• Ability to work independently with frequent support but minimal supervision.
• Strong critical and analytical skills.
• Ability to work occasional long hours and weekends when necessary.
• Excellent writing and oral communication skills.
• Exceptional technology skills, including Google and Excel.
• Strong organizational systems and skills.
• Willingness to work with colleagues within and external to the Office and provide back-up and support to others within the Office.
• Ability to work well under pressure.
• Commitment to work in public service/education field.

Conditions of Employment

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:

Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency - Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district. The Chicago residency requirement does not apply to temporary/part-time positions, however, all CPS employees must be residents of Illinois