Program Associate I - Grant Writer

Job Description

Job Title

Position Title: Program Associate I - Grant Writer

Location: Fisher Building (3011 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit, MI 48214)

Salary: $64,467 - $84,323

Reports to: Project Manager, Partnerships

Bargaining Unit: OSAS

Benefits Eligible: Yes

In accordance with the Agreement between Organization of School Administrators and Supervisors (OSAS) and the Board of Education of the School District of the City of Detroit, the following vacancy is announced.

Position Summary:

The Program Associate I develops, supports, and utilizes processes and systems that bring external funding into the District. This includes researching funders and funding opportunities; soliciting funding priority information from internal stakeholders; identifying appropriate funding sources for District needs; designing sound processes for seeking funding and ensuring that internal stakeholders follow them with fidelity; facilitating interdepartmental collaboration and coordination; preparing and supporting the preparation of applications for funding; tracking data to measure success and ensure equitable outcomes; coordinating funding plans and efforts with the DPS Foundation; and engaging directly with current, former, and prospective funders to build and maintain strong relationships. The Program Associate I may also support the Office of Partnerships in other ways as deemed appropriate by the Project Manager, Office of Partnerships.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must possess and provide evidence of a bachelor’s degree; master’s degree preferred
• Minimum 2 years of progressively responsible experience working in education, non-profits, management consulting, or other comparable professional or administrative setting
• Excellent written and oral communication
• Experience working in fast-paced, achievement-oriented environments
• Track record of success building coalitions and relationships across diverse groups of stakeholders
• Track record of success leading or supporting cross-functional initiatives in diverse and complex organizational settings
• Ability to problem-solve and coordinate projects and tasks
• Experience designing and implementing complex procedures
• Fluency in all Microsoft Office applications
• Proficiency with or ability to learn Microsoft Power Automate (Flow), Qualtrics, and SharePoint
• Database management skills preferred
• Grant writing experience a plus

Essential Functions

1. Research funding opportunities (e.g., grants, donations, and sponsorships) that align with District priorities.
2. Create and maintain a database of active funding opportunities that may be relevant to the District’s departments and schools.
3. Create and maintain a database of current, former, and prospective District funders (e.g., grantors, donors, and sponsors).
4. Communicate information about funding processes and best practices for internal stakeholders and ensure fidelity of implementation.
5. Solicit and compile funding priority information from internal stakeholders (i.e., District departments, schools, and employees) to guide strategy and identify funding sources suited to needs.
6. Facilitate interdepartmental collaboration and coordination around funding opportunities.
7. Support internal stakeholders preparing applications for funding.
8. Write and edit proposals and applications for funding.
9. Build and maintain internal funding reporting systems (including grant applications submitted, grant funding received, donations reported and acknowledged, etc.).
10. Analyze data about funding activities to measure success, identify patterns, promote more equitable outcomes, etc.
11. Coordinate funding plans and efforts with the DPS Foundation.
12. Engage directly with current, former, and prospective funders to build and maintain strong relationships that increase the chances of additional funding for District priorities.
13. Perform other duties and tasks as assigned.

Security Clearance: 

Internal Applicants 

If you are a current Detroit Public Schools Community District employee, you do not have to submit to a new security clearance, unless your new role requires a different type of criminal background check. 

External Applicants 

In alignment with Michigan law, if you are hired to fill a position, you will be required to submit to a Detroit Public Schools Community District criminal background check. Information regarding required background checks will be shared at point of hire. 

Method of Application: 

Applicants must apply through the online application system. Only applications submitted through the online application system will be considered for any posted position and all applications require a resume to be considered. 

Successful candidates are required to submit official transcript(s) at point of offer to hire. Teaching service outside of the Detroit Public Schools Community District must be verified by the applicant's prior employer(s) prior to hire. It is the applicant's responsibility to provide all documentation (including copies) as requested. 

Applicants requesting assistance during the application process should contact the Office of Human Resources via email at [email protected] or phone at (313) 873-6897. 

DPSCD does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, religion, height, weight, citizenship, marital or family status, military status, ancestry, genetic information, or any other legally protected category, in its educational programs and activities, including employment and admissions. Questions? Concerns? contact the Civil Rights Coordinator for more information at (313) 240-4377 or [email protected] or 3011 West Grand Boulevard, 14th Floor, Detroit MI 48202.