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Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over320,000students in 500+ schools and employing over 44,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life.  In order to fulfill this mission, we make three commitments to our students, their families, and all Chicagoans: academic progress, financial stability, and integrity.  Six core values are embedded within these commitments – student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning.

The Office of Budget and Grants Management (OBGM) supports the strategic utilization of all resources, aligning them to district priorities by spearheading CPS’ financial strategy to support effective budget planning and maximizing available funds.  As part of this work, the grants development team initiates, facilitates, and oversees the development of applications for funding through highly competitive federal, state, and other grant opportunities. 

Job Summary: 

This role will support the Grants Team and will develop grant proposals of various size and scope in response to Requests for Proposal (RFPs) issued by funding agencies. The Grant Support leads the proposal design process, in collaboration with CPS departments, by: (1) participating as part of a cross-functional internal team focused on identifying opportunities that match district needs and priorities; (2) collaborating with relevant internal CPS staff and external entities to develop applications based on those ideas; (3) integrating appropriate, current research; (4) drafting all application materials; (5) preparing budgets, including by identifying and documenting matching funds; and (6) ensuring compliance with grant guidelines.

This part-time/temporary position will be compensated for time worked on an hourly basis. The work schedule for this role will consist of an estimated 40 hours per week for an anticipated period of 8 weeks beginning October 7, 2024 and ending November 22, 2024. Due to the part-time/temporary nature of this work, this is not a benefit-eligible position. This role will report to the Deputy Chief of the Office of Budget and Grants Management.  

The part-time/temporary Grant Support will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Prepare and submit 1-2 complete, accurate, high-quality applications for the Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grant application by the federal deadline; 
• Support multiple stakeholders and complex grant development process, applying knowledge of educational content areas, district priorities, and proposal requirements to ensure that proposed strategies meet district needs while complying with grant guidelines; 
• Establish operational objectives, work plans, timelines, and assignments for proposal development, determining how to use resources to meet objectives and schedules and collaborating with appropriate district staff and external partners; 
• Review and route Memorandums of Understanding (MOU)s, letters of support, and other application components in support of partner organizations applying for grants that serve CPS students and families; 
• Other duties as assigned. 

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the part-time/temporary Grant Writer  must possess the following qualifications: 

Education Required: 

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in English, Education, Public Policy, or related field.  

Experience Required: 

• Minimum of two (2) years of experience developing grant proposals. 
• Previous experience with federal grant proposals is highly preferred.  

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• Ability to analyze grant guidelines and apply comprehensive knowledge of educational content to grant requirements. Strong attention to detail is required.
• Ability to work on multiple high-stakes, deadline-driven projects simultaneously.
• Ability to work independently with frequent support but minimal supervision.
• Strong critical and analytical skills.
• Ability to work occasional long hours and weekends when necessary.
• Excellent writing and oral communication skills.
• Exceptional technology skills, including Google and Excel. 
• Strong organizational systems and skills. 
• Willingness to work with colleagues within and external to the Office and provide back-up and support to others within the Office. 
• Ability to work well under pressure. 

Conditions of Employment

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:

• Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency -Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district. The Chicago residency requirement does not apply to temporary/part-time positions, however, all CPS employees must be residents of Illinois.
• Be Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19 -Unless approved for a medical or religious exemption, all employees are required to be up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations, including boosters, and to submit proof of vaccination to the district within 30 days of hire. “Up-to-date” on vaccination is defined as being at least two weeks past all primary vaccine doses and any applicable boosters.