What are the responsibilities and job description for the Grants & Community Engagement Specialist position at Bernier Carr & Associates?
Department: Civil (Dedicated) - Embedded via Marketing Operations
Reports to: Director of Communications & Strategic Initiatives
Dotted line: Civil Principal - priorities, Go/No-Go inputs, and funding calendars
JOB SUMMARY: 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.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Funding:
- 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.
Pursuit/Proposal Quarterbacking:
- 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.
Community Engagement & BD Support:
- 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.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:
- 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.
- A/E/C or municipal planning background preferred.
Salary : $70,000 - $95,000