K–12 State Funding Specialist

Overview

Award-Winning 50-person distinguished architectural practice is actively seeking a K–12 State Funding Specialist to join its growing California team. The firm possesses expertise in programming, planning, design, and management services, primarily catering to Educational Facilities for over seven decades. With offices located throughout Northern and Southern California, this firm boasts a wealth of professional knowledge, talent, and personalized commitment to its clients. The studios embrace hybrid work arrangements, offer flexibility for remote work, and prioritize professional development and growth.

Position Description:

This role requires an experienced school facilities funding professional with working knowledge of the California Department of Education (CDE), Office of Public School Construction (OPSC), State Allocation Board (SAB), and School Facility Program (SFP). The K–12 State Funding Specialist will work directly with California school districts and internal project teams to identify, pursue, and maximize state funding for new construction and modernization projects. Join this dynamic team and support school districts with the following key responsibilities:

Responsibilities:

• Partner with California K–12 school districts to evaluate facility needs, determine potential SFP eligibility, and develop strategies that maximize available state funding.

• Review enrollment, capacity, classroom inventory, project scope, cost, site, and supporting information to assess funding opportunities and application readiness.

• Prepare, review, coordinate, and track funding applications, forms, exhibits, correspondence, and supporting documentation for CDE, OPSC, SAB, and related agencies.

• Serve as a liaison among district staff, architectural and planning teams, agency representatives, and other project partners.

• Monitor SFP regulations, program updates, filing rounds, SAB actions, and agency guidance; communicate their impact on district clients and active projects.

• Coordinate CDE site and plan approvals and OPSC application reviews, respond to agency comments, and help maintain realistic review schedules.

• Consult with city and county planning departments, utility providers, and other entities to obtain dwelling-unit, fee, demographic, and development information needed for state forms.

• Maintain reliable systems for tracking applications, approvals, apportionments, funding releases, deadlines, correspondence, and outstanding actions across multiple projects.

• Prepare progress reports, funding summaries, presentations, and board or staff materials for district leadership and Boards of Education as requested.

• Compile and validate records, maintain organized files, and proofread submissions for completeness and accuracy.

• Identify funding considerations early enough to inform project scope, schedule, facilities planning, and capital-program decisions.

Skills & Requirements:

• Four or more years of relevant experience with California K–12 school facilities funding, planning, program management, or agency review.

• Working knowledge of the CDE, OPSC, SAB, and California School Facility Program processes, including eligibility, application, review, and funding milestones.

• Experience reviewing California school construction or modernization projects to identify and maximize potential state funding.

• Ability to analyze and interpret statutes, regulations, agency guidance, technical documentation, and project data.

• Strong organizational and project-management skills with the ability to manage multiple districts, applications, and deadlines.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to represent the firm professionally with school districts, public agencies, and project partners.

• High attention to detail and demonstrated ability to produce accurate, complete, and well-organized submissions.

• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications and working knowledge of Adobe Acrobat Pro.

• Ability and willingness to travel within California for occasional day and overnight trips.

• Bachelor’s degree in planning, public administration, political science, communications, business, architecture, construction management, or a related field is preferred; equivalent relevant experience will be considered.

• Prior experience with a California school district, CDE, OPSC, another public agency, an architecture firm, or a school-facilities consulting practice is preferred.

• Familiarity with related school-facilities processes and agencies, such as DSA, DTSC, local planning jurisdictions, developer-fee documentation, or local capital and bond programs, is a plus.

Your Next Opportunity:

This is a unique opportunity to bring specialized California school facilities funding expertise to a collaborative, education-focused practice and make a meaningful impact for school districts and the communities they serve. If you are ready to help clients turn facility needs into funded projects, we would love to hear from you. Apply today and take the next step in your career.