Description

Communities In Schools of Central Texas is hiring a Senior Grant Writer for Public Funding. This senior-level, writing-forward role leads public grant prospecting and pre-award strategy while serving as a primary proposal writer for complex government funding opportunities. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in public funding, a proven track record securing grants of $500K+, and experience managing multiple proposals from concept through submission. This role requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to collaborate across teams in a fast-paced environment. Hybrid work options are available. 

What You’ll Do 

Public Funding Strategy & Prospecting (Pre-Award)

• Lead pre-award public funding prospecting efforts, including federal, state, and local opportunities
• Monitor public funding trends, policy shifts, and procurement pipelines relevant to education, mental health, student supports, and youth development
• Conduct in-depth research to assess opportunity fit, competitiveness, and capacity requirements
• Coordinate with CIS National’s grants team to stay aligned with network-wide public funding strategy, guidance,  and  opportunities
• Participate in RFP workshops, information sessions, and webinars, translating learnings into actionable recommendations
• Advise the Director of Grants on public funding opportunities, feasibility, risks, and strategic alignment

Grant Writing & Proposal Development

• Serve as lead writer and project manager for many complex and technically demanding public grant proposals
• Draft full proposal narratives or major sections of large public grants
• Coordinate with program, finance, evaluation, and operations staff to develop scopes of work, budgets, and required attachments
• Translate program models, outcomes, and budgets into clear, compelling, and compliant narratives
• Ensure proposals are responsive to funder priorities, clearly articulated, and aligned with CISCT’s strategic goals
   

Collaboration & Proposal Transition

• Partner closely with the Chief Student Success Officers, Chief Development Officer, and Director of Grants on proposal positioning, messaging, and prioritization
• Collaborate with the Grants Manager on the Finance Team to ensure strong handoff from awarded proposals into post-award compliance and reporting
• Draft proposal narratives with clear attention to future reporting requirements, measurable outcomes, and deliverables
  Respond to funder questions related to proposal content or narrative intent as needed
   

Team & Organizational Support

• Support private foundation proposals and reports during peak cycles or surge periods
• Contribute to the refinement of grant templates, tools, and internal processes
• Build strong cross-functional relationships to support effective grants development
• Promote agency culture, standards, and systems
• Participate in the CIS team approach to service delivery and problem-solving
• Other duties as assigned by the Director of Grants or Chief Development Officer

Learn more and apply. Please include a cover letter with your application

Requirements

What You Bring 

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred
• Minimum of five (5) years of professional grant writing experience, with significant experience in public sector grants or contracts
• Demonstrated success securing government funding in education, social services, or related fields
• Exceptional technical writing skills and ability to manage complex, compliance-driven proposals
• Strong research skills and comfort navigating public funding systems and procurement processes
• Ability to synthesize complex information and make strategic recommendations
• Experience collaborating across departments and contributing to shared writing efforts
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple deadlines
• Ability to work independently while thriving in a collaborative, team-based environment
• Familiarity with CIS, education systems, or youth-serving organizations is a plus
• Experience using AI tools and emerging technologies for grant research or writing is a plus

Why Join CIS? 

• Mission-driven work: Be part of a team that changes the trajectory of students’ lives.
• Professional growth: Ongoing training, supervision, and career pathways into director-level roles.
• Community impact: Build partnerships that extend beyond the classroom.
• Generous paid time off: 4+ weeks of holidays, 2 weeks of vacation time, personal days and sick days
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: 100% employer-paid employee medical plan available, plus family subsidies, dental, vision, life, disability insurance, and 403(b) retirement plan with employer match
• Community-centered culture focused on impact, growth, and connection
  Communities In Schools of Central Texas is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.