Institutional Advancement Grants Specialist (FT), CF6N43012RESDV

The College of DuPage is a comprehensive community college located 27 miles west of downtown Chicago, vitally connected to our local area for over 50 years. We prepare students for a lifelong passion for learning on our 273-acre campus which is home to nine associate degrees and a wide variety of professional and technical certificates. Many of these credentials prepare students to seamlessly articulate into the baccalaureate programs of our higher education partner institutions.

College of DuPage is committed to student success and values an inclusive and welcoming community environment. We are an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in the workforce. Our connection to the larger metropolitan area is essential to our success and provides a wealth of diverse cultural and recreational opportunities.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

The Grants Specialist assists with the daily operations of the Grant Office and Office of Institutional Advancement. Under the guidance and supervision of the Grants Manager and indirectly reporting to the Vice President for Institutional Advancement, the Grants Specialist is responsible for writing and submitting grant proposals as assigned; fulfilling required reports and analyses; assisting in the management and coordination of the institutional grants process from grant development to grant closeout (pre-award to after-the-award); researching funding sources, global and national trends, exemplary practices, and relevant issues; and overall supporting successful efforts to obtain and manage external funding that will advance the institution, as well as other institutional grants activities on behalf of the College of DuPage. The Grants Specialist will work as directed by the Grants Manager, in coordination with grant project directors and grants accountants to ensure that the Grants Office is on track with expectations and all projects are correct and completed in an accurate, timely and efficient manner.

• Identify potential corporate, foundation, federal, and state funders and grant opportunities for projects and programs that align with college strategies and pillars.
• Coordinate, write, and edit proposal narratives and reports to ensure accurate responsiveness to the funder guidelines and requirements.
• Develop and adhere to an accurate, efficient and workable office production schedule by identifying, scheduling, facilitating, organizing and coordinating the processes, production and submission of grant applications, fundraising proposals, documents, agreements and reports, as well as other institutional activities related to grants that are facilitated through the Grants Department.
• Maintain an accurate database of activities related to proposal development, submission and related to other grant department projects and events.
• Communicate with program officers of funding agencies and sources, external partners engaged in proposal development, and with other funding organizations to facilitate grants development and management, as needed.
• Provide in-depth research and analysis of potential funding sources, including corporations, private foundations, and public agencies, identifying those appropriate to support institutional priorities and programs that match funding agency interests and requirements and maximize fundability.
• Assist in maintenance of efficient management system to store and retrieve planned, funded, completed and non-funded projects; to maintain research and project files using both electronic and paper formats.
• Stay informed on legislative and policy decisions that have a potential to impact grant funding and inform the appropriate College personnel.
• Efficiently and effectively communicate information with and assist the Grants and Institutional Advancement teams.
• Attend internal and external meetings related to Grants and Institutional Advancement activities as assigned by the Grants Manager.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Education
  • Bachelor's Degree or combination of education and experience required, preferably in Education, Social Sciences, Management, Project Management, Communications or related area.
  • Advanced degree in Education, Social Sciences, Management, Project Management, Communications, or related area preferred.
• Experience
  • One (1) to three (3) years demonstrated comprehensive experience and knowledge of grant development/management processes required.
  • One (1) year of demonstrated comprehensive experience of grant development in postsecondary institutions and/or foundation/non-profit departments preferred.
  • Evidence of well-developed research, communication, critical thinking, and project management skills required.
  • Able to prioritize, implement, and follow through with multiple, deadline-driven tasks in an accurate and timely manner.
  • Self-motivated, goal-oriented, and customer service skills required.
  • Ability to report to, and work with, multiple people and teams throughout the institution required.
  • High level of attention to detail and accuracy.
  • Strong skills with technology and software programs.

Working Conditions:

Standard office equipment. Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint), grants proposal tracking and management software and other technology systems are plus. Knowledge of Grants.gov, the System for Award Management (SAM.gov), online proposal systems, and foundation research programs preferred. Primarily office environment; primarily sedentary in nature. The student population at the college is diverse in ethnicity, gender, language, age and background. College of DuPage is an AA/EO employer and strongly encourages applications from candidates who would enhance the diversity of the College. This position requires a background check and drug screen.

Hybrid Remote Eligible: YES

Hiring Range: 9 Hourly/Starting salary beginning at $26.25/hourly, based on experience. Competitive starting pay is dependent on education and experience. College of DuPage also offers a generous benefits plan which includes paid time off, tuition discounts for employees and dependents, medical, dental, vision effective the first day of employment, and retirement benefits in a collaborative and friendly environment.

College of DuPage is an equal opportunity employer. The College of DuPage is committed to recruiting and retaining high performing talent to our institution, continuing our tradition of excellence. We encourage all people across the broad spectrum of those communities we serve to explore and apply for positions at COD for which they believe they are qualified.

College of DuPage does not discriminate against individuals in employment opportunities, programs and/or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, veterans' status, marital status, disability, military status, unfavorable discharge from military service, or on any other basis protected by law.