Grants Writer & Development Specialist

SCOPE OF WORK 
This is a writing-intensive position requiring strong communication and collaboration skills. The 
Grants Writer & Development Specialist serves as the College’s primary grant writer, developing 
clear, competitive proposals aligned with NWIC’s mission and strategic priorities. The position 
supports the pursuit of funding from federal, state, Tribal, private, and corporate sources. 
Working closely with administrators, faculty, and program leaders, the Grants Writer & 
Development Specialist translates program concepts into compliant, high-quality submissions 
and manages proposal timelines to meet agency deadlines. The position leverages Strategic Plan 
and Program Work Plan priorities to guide proposal development, track activity, and support 
reporting on funding outcomes and success rates.

 
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES 
• Technical Writing: Write and prepare proposals in the appropriate style and 
terminology for the readers of the application, including making sure to follow any 
special instructions provided by the funding source. 
• Funding Proposal Development: Coordinate with content experts on program 
planning including defining program need, approach, and performance measures. All 
submissions are coordinated in alignment with NWIC’s Authorized Organizational 
Representative (AOR) structure. This position does not serve as the institutional 
signatory authority. 
• Capital Development Proposal Development: Lead the development of capital project 
funding proposals, including facility and infrastructure initiatives, by drafting 
narratives, coordinating technical and design inputs, and ensuring alignment of scope, 
budgets, and supporting documentation with applicable funding requirements. 
• Networking- Networks and maintain relationships with Federal, State, local, private, 
and Tribes. 
• Resource Development: Develop and implement plans and strategies to pursue 
opportunities for grants, contracts and contributions from federal, state, private and 
corporate contracts; and planned giving, including contributions from college alumni 
as well as and corporate gift contributions. 
• Prospect Research: Locate funding sources that support the College’s mission, goals, 
and needs of programs. 
• Budget Development: Develop budgets within allowable costs of the grant agency to 
support the project. 
• Project Management: Track multiple tasks and multiple projects as necessary, 
including working on the various components of grant proposals such as Abstract, 
Table of Contents, Purpose, Approaches, Methods, Project Management, Key 
Personnel, Budget, and Budget Justification. 
• Evaluation: Assist in the development of Evaluation Plans for each project including 
defining Level of Rigor, Objectives (outcomes) with Indicators, Data Source, 
Instrument Type and Instrument Method of Evaluation; and Targets for Success. Work 
with the Office of Institutional Effectiveness to determine Data Collection, Data 
Analysis, and Report of Evaluation Results. 
• Committee Participation: Serve on college committees and teams as assigned by the 
Director of Grants & Compliance to assess funding needs, support research of 
funding opportunities, and contribute to proposal development aligned with 
institutional priorities. 
• Technology: Use Microsoft Office (especially Word and Excel); Adobe Acrobat 
(PDF) and other software to create, merge, and edit documents; learn and use online 
grant portals to research and submit grants (Grants.gov, Research.gov, etc.). 
• Professional Development: Participate in webinars, workshops, or conferences 
offered by grant agencies. 
• Capital Campaign: Support the Office of the President in the procurement of federal, 
state and tribal funds in alignment with the College’s capital campaign. 
• Work directly with the office of sponsored programs to coordinate the approval 
process before submissions of grants, 
• Creation of a calendar of grants including proposed projects for the current and next 
fiscal year. 

SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES 
This position has not been assigned formal supervisory responsibilities; however, this position 
may assign, monitor and evaluate the work of temporary employees supporting the program, 
including interns. 

QUALIFICATIONS  
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each 
essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the 
knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to 
enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

Minimum Qualifications: 
• Bachelor’s degree in business administration or related field required; 
• Strong research and writing skills including the ability to develop narratives that 
effectively communicate NWIC’s mission and objectives 
• Familiarity with grant application processes and requirements 
• Demonstrated ability to both independently and collaboratively in team 
environments, including participation in cross-functional teams.  
• Creating and managing budgets experience 
• Ability to make contacts and develop positive relationships with federal funding 
agencies, foundations, tribal and corporation organizations, and other public and 
private organizations 
• Written and verbal skills, research, interpreting and analyzing skills 
• Knowledge of research methods and program evaluation 
• Project Management Skills: ability to track multiple tasks and multiple projects 
from beginning to end; 
• Computer skills: intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Word 
and Excel; intermediate skills in converting documents to PDF, importing and 
exporting objects, pictures, etc. into documents 
• Knowledge of and sensitivity to Native American culture 

Preferred Qualifications: 
• Experience in capital development project funding proposals. 
• Experience with capital development or construction project management, including 
familiarity with project design phases, cost estimating, and infrastructure or facility 
funding proposals. 
• Experience working within a Tribal College or University setting; and 
• Experience working for Tribal communities, sovereign nations, and or 
Indigenous peoples. 
• Demonstrated experience in grant coordinating activities in a higher 
education environment;