Grants & Community Engagement Specialist

Bernier Carr & Associates•City of Watertown, NY

17d•$70,000 - $95,000

About The Position

The Grants & Community Engagement Specialist plays a key role in driving the Civil group’s growth by securing competitive funding and coordinating the pursuit process end-to-end. This role is funding-led (grant discovery, strategy, writing/assembly, compliance) with community engagement and pursuit logistics to convert awards into projects.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
5+ years in municipal grants, community/economic development, or infrastructure funding roles with a proven track record of awarded projects.
Strong project coordination and deadline discipline.
Excellent communication with public officials and community groups.

Nice To Haves

A/E/C or municipal planning background preferred.

Responsibilities

Own and manage Civil’s funding calendar: identify funding programs, qualify fit, track deadlines, and coordinate readiness.
Lead grant narrative and compliance assembly; maintain checklists; conduct post-award and post-denial debriefs and share learnings.
Maintain a live pipeline of opportunities; brief Civil leadership regularly.
Partner with Funding Technical Advisor and other stakeholders to ensure all grant/funding information is accurate, compliant, and timely.
Monitor funding opportunities from federal, state, and local sources relevant to infrastructure and civil projects.
Assist and support Associates and Principals with grant applications as needed.
Prioritize Civil work exclusively during funding cycles.
Run Go/No-Go prep: funding fit, client context, schedule, risks for Civil leadership decision.
In coordination with marketing department, prepare and submit compelling proposals, ensuring alignment with project objectives and client needs.
Gather forms, certifications, ownership/licensure lists, and shepherd inputs from principals/shareholders; enforce deadlines.
Coordinate with marketing production for layout and graphics; this role does not perform design production.
Plan and execute municipal outreach touchpoints; log interactions and next steps.
Drive and develop new business leads for municipal projects.
Maintain and develop existing municipal client relationships.
Foster positive relationships with community members, local officials, and organizations to ensure inclusive and informed planning processes.
Ensure all collateral aligns with firm branding and Marketing standards.