Grants, Contracts & Government Relations Analyst

Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County • Watsonville, CA

22h • $98,783 - $107,564 • Onsite

About The Position

the Grants, Contracts & Government Relations Analyst plays a key role in supporting and advancing major organizational initiatives by providing analytical and administrative support across grants and contracts management, government relations activities, and strategic special projects. This role partners closely with internal teams and leadership to ensure programs and special initiatives are well-coordinated, compliant, and informed by timely data, research, and reporting. The Analyst helps translate complex requirements into clear processes, supports external-facing efforts with public partners, and contributes to continuous improvement across high-impact programs and special projects.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, public policy, business, nonprofit management, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
• Minimum of 3–5 years of progressively responsible experience in grants management, government contracts administration, public funding compliance, government relations, or policy analysis.
• Demonstrated experience managing government-funded grants and contracts, including budgeting, reporting, monitoring, and compliance.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
• Ability to study systems and processes and recommend and implement process improvements.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft professional documents and reports
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across teams
• Ability to direct/organize colleagues in meeting deadlines and deliverables.
• Strong understanding of funding sources, research skills, and legislative and regulatory processes.
• Able to meet deadlines and produce high-quality grant proposals.
• Knowledge of budgeting, compliance, and monitoring for grants and contracts
• Demonstrated ability to draft smaller grant proposals independently
• Strong research and analytical skills for funding opportunities and policy tracking
• Demonstrated ability to align funding opportunities with organizational goals and manage complex contracts/grant portfolios.
• Skilled in leveraging data systems to drive decision-making and create efficient processes
• Demonstrate ethical business practices, in conformance with all state and federal laws and regulations.
• Commitment to serving vulnerable populations and ending hunger in Santa Cruz County
• Demonstrate full adherence to the Code of Conduct and all policies/procedures related to compliance.
• Adherence to all applicable federal and state laws and regulations including, but not limited to, those governing confidentiality, privacy, program, billing, and documentation standards.
• Able to hear conversations on the phone and in-person.
• Be able to read, write, and interpret written reports, documents and manuals.
• Able to safely lift or carry items weighing up to 10 pounds.
• Bi-manual dexterity and able to use a computer keyboard.
• Frequent standing and sitting throughout the day.

Nice To Haves

• Experience tracking legislation, drafting policy summaries, or supporting advocacy initiatives preferred.
• Experience translating complex programs and evidence-based outcomes into compelling narratives that align with funding priorities.
• Experience drafting policy briefs, testimony, talking points, and advocacy materials.
• Familiarity with grant management systems and reporting tools
• Experience supporting government relations or public policy initiatives
• Experience coordinating special projects and cross-functional initiatives

Responsibilities

• Contracts & Grants Management (40%) Responsible for identifying and managing the process of securing foundation and corporate grants in accordance with applicable standards, regulations and guidelines.
• Support the lifecycle of grants and contracts, including tracking deadlines, deliverables, compliance requirements and reporting timelines
• Serve as project management lead with proposal development, documentation preparation and submission process
• Monitor contract performance metrics and flag risks, gaps, or upcoming obligations
• Work closely with stakeholders to understand funding needs and outcome measurements.
• Collaborate with food bank staff, volunteers, and board members to gain in-depth understanding of ongoing program/project needs, goals, objectives, and outcomes.
• Collaborate with program staff to gather necessary data, outcomes, and narratives for proposals and reports
• Support grant compliance by monitoring budgets, allowable expenses, and adherence to funder requirements
• Engage grant writers and other subcontractors as needed to accomplish projects
• Write smaller or routine grant proposals independently to support Assist in drafting grant progress reports, final reports, and supporting documentation for funders
• Coordinate internal and external communications related to grants, including acknowledgment of funders and reporting follow-ups
• Support contracts administration by tracking milestones, deliverables, and ensuring adherence to legal and financial obligations
• Government Relations (30%) Serve as a primary point of contact for local, state, and federal government agencies related to food access, nutrition assistance, and emergency food programs.
• Track and analyze legislation, regulations, and policy proposals affecting hunger relief, food systems, and public nutrition programs (e.g., TEFAP, SNAP, emergency feeding initiatives).
• Monitor legislation, policy developments, and funding trends that impact the organization’s programs and funding streams.
• Support leadership in developing and executing government relations strategies aligned with organizational goals.
• Prepare briefing materials, talking points, and data analyses for meetings with elected officials and agency staff to support advocacy and funding conversations.
• Support leadership in building and maintaining strong relationships with elected officials and agency staff.
• Administrative Support & Special Project (30%) Analyze, research, gather and interpret information on a wide variety of management matters such as budgets, legislation, programs, contracts and staffing.
• Develop dashboards, reports, and executive-ready summaries
• Prepare and present written and oral reports on recommendations, data, impacts, options, strategies and conclusions that are based on analyses.
• Work closely with managers and other staff within the Executive Team to anticipate, obtain and provide ongoing and accurate information.
• Coordinate activities related to projects, programs and/or other areas being analyzed.
• Attend or serve as management liaison at meetings/functions such as committees, task forces, community forums, commissions, and conferences.
• Manage a variety of complex special projects, research studies, budget analysis, and other specialized functions.

Benefits

• We offer competitive salaries and benefits and a rewarding work environment.
• PAID TIME OFF: new hires accrue three weeks of vacation time in their first year of service, in addition to paid 10 company holidays, and 12 sick days, per year.
• HEALTH AND WELLNESS: 4 Gold-rated medical plans: employer covered at 90%-80% depending on the plan. 100% employer-paid benefits for employee Vision, Dental, Life, Long-Term Care, Long-Term Disability, Accidental Death & Dismemberment and Employee Assistance Program Employer subsidized vision and dental insurance for dependents. AFLAC supplemental plans Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts Supplemental coverage on Life and AD&D plans. Pet Insurance
• FINANCIAL BENEFITS 403(b) Retirement Plan with generous employer contribution.
• Tuition reimbursement program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level