Grant Writer #Re051 Jobs

Title: Grant Writer #RE051

Hiring Range: Up to $100,000/yr.

Pay Band: 5

Agency: Department of Social Services

Location: DSS HOME OFFICE

Agency Website: www.dss.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

This is a full-time, restricted position funded by a federal grant. The grant funding will expire on 6/30/2024; continuation beyond that date is contingent on the availability of grants funds.

Job Duties

At the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS), we put people at the center of everything we do. We believe that every Virginian can live a life of dignity and that all voices, ideas and experiences contribute greatly to our pursuit of excellence. Inspired by continuous improvement, we commit ourselves to listening, learning and cultivating environments of trust, respect and positive engagement. Together, we are mission-driven, eager to achieve, and passionate about bringing the best of who we are to those we serve.
We design and deliver high-quality human services that help Virginians achieve safety, independence and overall well-being. We are a $2 billion agency – one of the largest in the Commonwealth of Virginia – partnering with 120 local departments of social services and 31 community action agencies, along with faith-based and non-profit organizations, to promote the well-being of children, adults, and families statewide. We proudly serve alongside 1,650 (state) and 12,200 (local) human services professionals throughout the Social Services System, who ensure that thousands of Virginia’s most vulnerable citizens have easy access to the services and benefits available to them.
The Office of Innovation and Strategic Initiatives is currently seeking a Grant Writer. The purpose of this position is to secure funding for the VDSS by writing and submitting grant proposals to various funding sources. This position plays a critical role in securing the financial support necessary to achieve the organization's mission and goals by researching funding opportunities, analyzing the organization's needs, and crafting compelling grant proposal.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in English, Journalism, Media, or a related field, and/or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Demonstrated excellent writing ability that is clear, concise, and analytic in style, as well as appropriate for various audiences including federal agencies, foundations, private donors, and broader audience.
• Proficiency in research, interpreting, and analyzing diverse data necessary for compelling grant proposals.
• Significant prior experience managing all aspects of grant writing: proposal development, including writing the scope of work, proposal design, project management, and compliance management.

Key Competencies required to successfully perform the work:

• Research skills: The ability to identify and evaluate funding opportunities, research the funding source, and analyze the organization's needs.
• Knowledge of grant writing: A strong understanding of the grant writing process, including research, proposal writing, and budget development.
• Coordination skills: The ability to coordinate with internal and external stakeholders, including grant partners and program staff, to ensure the timely and accurate submission of grant proposals.
• Self-motivated: A self-starter with a strong work ethic, who takes initiative and is motivated to succeed.
• Passion and commitment to VDSS’s mission and values.
• Writing skills: The ability to write clear, concise, and persuasive proposals that align with the goals and objectives of the funding source.
• Ability to interact and work collaboratively and independently with all levels of staff.
• Compliance with laws and regulations: Knowledge of and adherence to state and federal laws and regulations, including procurement policies and grant compliance requirements. The ability to stay informed of changes in laws, regulations, and funding priorities and ensure that proposals follow these requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively under pressure and tight deadlines.
• Organizational skills: The ability to manage multiple projects and prioritize tasks to meet deadlines.
• Attention to detail: A meticulous attention to detail, including the ability to proofread and edit grant proposals for accuracy.
• Collaboration skills: The ability to work effectively with other departments within the organization to ensure that proposals align with the organization's goals and objectives.
• Financial literacy: Knowledge of budgeting, financial analysis, and financial management practices.
• Adaptability: The ability to adapt to changing requirements, funding priorities, and other variables as needed.
• Communication skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to effectively communicate with internal and external stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated ability to identify solutions and strategies to complex socioeconomic problems and create themes that are concise, easily understandable, readable, and compelling.
• Demonstrated comprehensive level of knowledge of grant application process, scoring criteria, and funding cycles.
• Demonstrated and verifiable experience establishing proactive relationships with and providing exemplary customer service to external funders.
• Demonstrated and verifiable ability to translate social services program data and information into concise, compelling, and mission-centered grant proposals.
• Comprehensive knowledge of research and the ability to distinguish and identify funding opportunities for public sector innovation in social services focusing on responding to human needs and experience.
• Successful grant writing experience, with proven track record of securing new funding opportunities.
• Master’ degree in English, Journalism, Media, or a related field highly preferred.

Special Instructions:

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Selected candidate(s) must successfully pass a fingerprint-based criminal history background check. A record of criminal history does not automatically bar an applicant from consideration. Employment verification will be conducted to include current/previous supervisory employment reference checks.
VDSS will record information from each new employee’s Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) into the Federal E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.
Selected candidate may be required to assist the agency or state government generally in the event of an emergency declaration by the Governor.
To be considered for this position, you must submit a Commonwealth of Virginia application or resume through the on-line “Virginia Jobs” (RMS) employment site no later than 11:55 p.m. on the closing date listed. Each application is reviewed for documentation that shows the applicant meets the minimum and preferred qualifications stated in the job announcement. The decision to interview an applicant is based on the information provided. This website will provide a confirmation of receipt when the application is submitted for consideration. Please refer to your RMS account for the status of your application and this position.
VDSS values the service and experience of our Veterans. As such, Veterans are encouraged to apply and receive preference in the hiring process. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps and other national service alumni also are encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodations are available to applicants, if requested, during the application and/or interview process.
Virginia Department of Social Services does not provide sponsorship. The Virginia Department of Social Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages diversity within its workforce.
We are a “Virginia Values Veterans” (V3) official certified company and state agency that provides hiring preference to Veterans and Members of the Virginia National Guard in support of Executive Order 29, (2010). If you are a Veteran or Virginia National Guard Member, we urge you to respond accordingly on your state application or resume. Minorities, Individuals with disabilities, Veterans and people with National Service experience are encouraged to apply. For more information about our employment practices, please visit our “Vision, Mission and Strategic Plan”. Multiple positions may be filled from this recruitment within 90 days of the closing date.
In addition to a rewarding work experience, VDSS offers excellent health and life insurance benefits, pre-tax spending accounts, state funded Short and Long Term Disability, paid holidays, vacation, tuition assistance, free wellness programs, and a state retirement plan with options for tax-deferred retirement savings including employer matching – Employee Benefits.
If you have been affected by Policy 1.30 Layoff as a state employee and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Form) or a Preferential Hiring Card (Blue Card), you must submit this document through the “Virginia Jobs” (RMS) employment site when you apply.

Contact Information:

Name: VDSS - Division of Human Resources

Phone: [email protected]

Email: [email protected]

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their Certificate of Disability (COD) provided by a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor within the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their Certificate of Disability. If you need to get a Certificate of Disability, use this link: Career Pathways for Individuals with Disabilities, or call DARS at 800-552-5019, or DBVI at 800-622-2155.