This same question recently came up in the not-for-profit healthcare sector, when a colleague was seeking sample position descriptions for a "grant writer" position at a community hospital. I provided her with the information I have cut-and-pasted below. ---------------------------------------------------- Molly Daniel Grants Specialist Planning Department Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center 1000 Health Center Drive Mattoon, IL 61938 tel. 217.258.2195 fax 217.258.4135 email: xxxxxx@sblhs.org http://www.sarahbush.org Grant Writer vs. Grant Administrator? If you are seeking someone who is more than a technical writer (understands the implications of grant-funded obligations to your institution and helps you navigate the maze of federal regulations), I would recommend including the following language in the skills/responsibilities for the position. You will be more successful in hiring for this kind of person if you do not use the job title Grant Writer, which implies that you are seeking only the writing skill and not the ability to help your organization manage the issues that come with grant funding (particularly grants from government agencies). Alternative job titles are Grants Specialist, Sponsored Programs Development Specialist. One other note: the area of the academic specialty is less important than good communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with others to identify clear project descriptions. I am acquainted with persons from many different academic backgrounds who are successful in proposal preparation and post-award grant management. Degrees in English, Journalism, Marketing, or social sciences would also be applicable. --- suggested language for a position description --- KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: 1. Bachelor's degree in Business, Healthcare Administration, Communications, Public Administration or related field required. 2. Three years professional experience in pre- and post-award grant preparation and administration required. Demonstrated success in proposal development, computer use, and record maintenance required. 3. Applicant must have the ability to maintain precision in working with details, strong problem-solving skills, ability to work well under deadlines with minimal supervision, ability to understand broad concepts and work collaboratively with partner organizations. 4. Applicant must have working knowledge of federal circulars which govern federal research expenditures. Excellent writing and verbal skills are essential. Experience with budgeting and budget development and an understanding of grant accounting, management, processing and reporting are preferred. 5. Experience in a healthcare environment preferred. PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. Conducts research on potential funding sources pertinent to the objectives of the [organization name]. 2. Remains current on sources for grants including governmental sources, corporate sponsors, private foundations, vendors and suppliers. 3. Works with departments, physicians and community partners to plan projects for grant funding. Works with project personnel to establish goals, objectives, expected outcomes, and a detailed budget. 4. Discusses and clarifies organizational responsibilities and commitments proposed for sponsored programs funding and obtains approval from appropriate senior leaders prior to proposal submission. Writes, prepares and submits innovative and competitive grant proposals, solicitation letters and other required documentation. 5. Provides access to and assists project directors and others in interpreting state, federal, and private funding agency guidelines; provides information for senior leadership regarding assurances of compliance with state and federal regulations. 6. Reviews grant award agreements for accuracy, organizational commitments, and alerts senior leaders to conflicts with organizational policy or other potential post-award issues. Suggests revisions to agreements when appropriate. 7. Serves as a liaison between [organization] and funding agencies to provide post-award grant administration support. Assists project directors with the initiation of new grant awards. Coordinates with the [organization's] Accounting Department to provide accurate information on the approved budget of record for grant awards. 8. Tracks and measures grant projects and funds. Provides reports and follow-up with funding sources in accordance with the guidelines of the funding agency. 9. Prepares reports for the [organization's] Board of Directors. 10. Networks locally, regionally, and nationally to remain current on sources in the field of grants. Is active in professional associations in the field of grants and fund raising. Keeps current with publications pertinent to grantsmanship or fund raising. --- end --- -----Original Message----- From: Alpha Anderson Delap [mailto:xxxxxx@U.WASHINGTON.EDU] Sent: Tuesday, June 28, 2005 6:46 PM To: xxxxxx@HRINET.ORG Subject: Re: [RESADM-L] Grant Writer If you have a grant/proposal writer on staff, would you mind sending me a job description and pay range to: xxxxxx@u.washington.edu? I would be most grateful. Thanks. - Alpha DeLap, University of Washington ====================================================================== Instructions on how to use the RESADM-L Mailing List, including subscription information and a web-searchable archive, are available via our web site at http://www.hrinet.org (click on "Listserv Lists") ====================================================================== ====================================================================== Instructions on how to use the RESADM-L Mailing List, including subscription information and a web-searchable archive, are available via our web site at http://www.hrinet.org (click on "Listserv Lists") ======================================================================
