Jefferson National Parks Association
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Jefferson National Parks Association is seeking a dynamic and motivated individual for the newly created position of Strategic Grants Coordinator. This role is pivotal in fostering strategic partnerships, managing stakeholder relations, identifying funding opportunities, coordinating proposals, and ensuring comprehensive progress and outcomes reporting.
The successful candidate will play a key role in advancing the mission of JNPA and its public land partners through effective grant development for 1) individual federal partner sites seeking funding for projects on a local scale, 2) two or more sites seeking funding for a joint effort that spans a larger geographic region, and 3) general funding that enhances our ability to fulfill our nonprofit mission.
Our nonprofit organization serves as an educational and visitor experience partner of nine sites across the heartland of the United States, including: Gateway Arch National Park, Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site, Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park, Voyageurs National Park, Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, Missouri National Recreational River, Lewis and Clark Visitor Center at Gavins Point, Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site, and President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site.
Please submit an online application, resume and letter of interest. Interviews are anticipated to be scheduled during late February and the position filled in March or April 2024. To learn more about working for Jefferson National Parks Association visit our employment page at jnpa.com
PRIMARY FUNCTIONS
Strategic Partnership Development: Coach JNPA and park partner staff to identify needs through formal strategy meetings and informal observation of program activities. | Actively foster a deep understanding of the culture, programs, and priorities of JNPA and its partners. | Convene partners and aligned community organizations for collaborative discussions to identify efforts suitable for collective funding across multiple parks or funding partners.
Stakeholder Relations: Establish and nurture positive and professional relationships with key funders at the local, regional, and national level. | Act as a bridge between key funders and programmatic staff, facilitating communication and demonstrating the impact of past support or potential future benefits.
Funding Opportunity Identification: Continuously monitor the funding environment for recurring and emerging opportunities aligned with JNPA’s and park partners’ needs. | Identify funding opportunities with the greatest likelihood of success and notify appropriate parties of the availability of such opportunities. | Develop and maintain a robust system to track grant cycles, submission dates, projected award dates, and any required progress or completion report deadlines.
Proposal Coordination: Oversee preparation of compelling proposals that convey JNPA and park partner goals as worthy causes. | Act as primary author of all JNPA proposals; offer grant writing instruction and/or editorial review of proposals prepared by partners. | Ensure that proposals adhere to professional standards of readability, consistency, and tone. | Manage deadlines by coordinating submittals from program staff.
Progress and Outcomes Reporting: Maintain meticulous financial and written records and submit required reports related to grant awards and outcomes. | Generate photographic, video, and written documentation of successful grant outcomes for reporting and publication.
Annual Impact Reporting: Collaborate with executive leadership to compile, author, and publish an annual impact report for JNPA. | Highlight the generosity and impact of external funders, showcasing the tangible outcomes of their support.
Compliance and Conduct: Ensure adherence to all company policies and procedures. | Abide by JNPA’s Code of Conduct and commonly accepted standards for resource development professionals.
SECONDARY FUNCTIONS
- Pursue personal development and build stakeholder relations through active participation in industry-specific professional organizations.
- Maintain JNPA’s Candid, Charity Navigator and similar profiles on various funder or donor data platforms.
- Write engaging content for general external communications, including newsletter articles, blogs, and social media updates.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR THIS POSITION
- Bachelor’s degree in English, communications, creative writing, non-profit management, or any reasonably related area.
- Five to seven years’ experience in grant writing, prospect research, general fundraising or comparable and transferable skills acquired in a professional setting – ideally the non-profit sector.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
- Proven ability to work independently with a strong entrepreneurial spirit, exhibiting a positive drive to proactively address challenges and seize opportunities.
- Capacity to comprehensively study and understand the funding needs of a complex organization and its park partners, ensuring alignment with overarching goals.
- Demonstrated ability to build and nurture relationships, interacting with others in a helpful and friendly manner to foster effective collaboration.
- Proven track record in problem-solving within dynamic environments supported by the ability to identify emerging trends and patterns across the public lands industry and society at large.
- In-depth knowledge of diverse fundraising sources and a thorough understanding of the proposal submission and fundraising process, including best practices and emerging trends.
- Demonstrated commitment to a systematic approach in writing, coupled with a drive to prepare a final product of the highest editorial quality.
- Natural storytelling ability coupled with an appreciation for conveying tangible results, creating compelling narratives that resonate with stakeholders and funders alike.
- Financial expertise to create, analyze, and edit project budgets that align seamlessly with funder requirements, demonstrating a keen understanding of financial implications and considerations.
- Strong computer and Internet proficiency, encompassing a mastery of tools such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and other relevant applications essential for efficient grant coordination.
WORKPLACE CONDITIONS
- Typical office conditions with occasional exposure to some adverse characteristics.
- Sitting, walking, standing, talking, hearing, seeing.
- Extended periods of looking at a computer monitor.
- Periodic overnight travel to partner locations and industry meetings.
As a public lands non-profit, JNPA champions the importance of our place-based mission. When not visiting JNPA’s treasured sites or meeting with colleagues in the field, most daily tasks performed by this position will occur in the organization’s headquarters overlooking Gateway Arch National Park. Headquarters staff are all provided height-adjustable workstations, a variety of flexible private and comfortable community workspaces within the office, and the latest computer technology with the ability to connect remotely from a home as personal situations may occasionally require.
The established salary range for the Strategic Grants Coordinator begins at $59,421. A higher starting salary may be considered for candidates that significantly exceed the stated position requirements. Merit-based increases are typically considered every year.
