WORKFORCE GRANT SPECIALIST

Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee is an urban hub bursting with energy. Milwaukee provides a casual sophistication – big city appeal without the big city hassles.  We are accessible and affordable, and our residents are welcoming.  Milwaukee has evolved through the years, bringing together its unsurpassed old world charm with a breathtaking Art Museum, top-flight arts and cultural attractions, professional sports, lakefront festivals, recreational opportunities, and great restaurants.

The City of Milwaukee is proud to employ a diverse workforce that is committed to providing exemplary service to the City’s residents.  If you have a passion for being a part of an inclusive team of public servants, please consider the following opportunity.

Under the direction of the Workforce Development Coordinator, the Workforce Grant Specialist focuses upon planning, grant writing and securing funding that augments existing and new community-based employment services.

Grant Writing         

• Research, identify and develop grant opportunities that fit the Common Council’s Workforce Development needs and partner competencies.         
• Develop standards related to setting performance evaluation targets; write new and refunding proposals, briefings and new concept papers.         
• Develop standards for program compliance with contractual client outcomes; monitor, track and report the Workforce Development Office’s and related partner’s outcomes in moving people out of poverty.        
• Maintain appropriate record keeping, file timely reports to funders and maintain master files on grants.        
• Develop and maintain reports regarding grant writing activities and outcomes.         
• Develop annual grant writing and revenue generation plans with benchmarks and guidelines to ensure generation of new funding from governmental agencies and foundations as well as to ensure retention of funding.         
• Analyze issues and interpret regulations that impact the Workforce Development Office’s ability to secure funding, deliver services and achieve outcomes.

Grant Planning and Partnerships        

• Conduct market research, including identification of successful program models and best practices.         
• Develop an understanding of institutional history and programs.        
• Develop partnerships with programs and services to ensure effective coordination of fund generation and service delivery to achieve client outcomes.        
• Work collaboratively with partner research agencies and Intergovernmental Policy staff to conduct research and generate reports regarding community needs, poverty reduction strategies, client outcomes, and efficiency of service delivery.         
• Partner with the Milwaukee County’s Workforce Board and City of Milwaukee’s Employment Service Agencies, Office of Violence Prevention and the Community Development Grant Administration (CDGA) Office to identify programs and services where service maintenance, improvement and expansion can be supported with additional funding.

We welcome qualified individuals with disabilities who are interested in employment and will make reasonable accommodations during the hiring process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008.

1. Bachelor’s degree in non-profit management, communications, business, social welfare or a closely related field from an accredited college or university.       
2. Two years of successful experience in grant writing and workforce development and/ or workforce placement management.     
3. Valid driver’s license at time of appointment and throughout employment.
4. Applicants are required to submit two written samples of awarded grant proposals in PDF format via email to staffinginfo@milwaukee.gov. by the application deadline. NOTE: Do not refer to a web link. Do not send originals, as they cannot be returned.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

IMPORTANT NOTE: College transcripts are required and must be received by the application period closing date. Transcripts should be attached to your online application or sent via email to staffinginfo@milwaukee.gov. Applications without transcripts attached will be considered incomplete and may be rejected.  Your transcript must be legible and include the following information:  the university or college name, your name, the degree completed (if applicable) and the date the degree was completed.  Student copies are acceptable.

• Bilingual in Spanish.         
• Experience writing grants for government funded programs and entities.

Technical

• Knowledge of workforce development and workforce training programs.
• Knowledge of grant writing concepts, fundraising techniques and strategies.
• Knowledge and familiarity with research techniques for fundraising prospects.
• Ability to create related social media content and strategies.
• Ability to prepare proposals by determining concept, gathering and formatting information, writing drafts, and obtaining approvals.
• Ability to determine proposal concepts by identifying and clarifying opportunities and needs, studying requests for proposal (RFPs), and attending strategy meetings.
• Ability to meet proposal deadlines by establishing priorities and target dates for information gathering, writing, review, approval, and transmittal.
• Ability to edit proposals. Computer skills to use the Microsoft Office Suite efficiently.

Organizational and Critical Thinking        

• Ability to organize assignments and manage time to complete tasks based on departmental deadlines.         
• Ability to analyze a variety of complex problems with emphasis on those related to community-based employment services.        
• Attention to detail.        
• Ability to employ innovative approaches to problem solving and resolving critical issues.         
• Ability to think critically and analytically.

Communication and Interpersonal        

• Ability to successfully establish and maintain harmonious and effective working relationships with diverse, multi-cultural community groups and individuals.        
• Strong interpersonal, listening, and customer service skills.         
• Ability to respond to inquiries with tact, diplomacy, and discretion.         
• Ability to receive feedback and constructive criticism.         
• Ability to write publication-ready letters, grants, memoranda, and persuasive reports using clear, concise, and grammatically correct language.        
• Excellent verbal communication skills to share information professionally, effectively, and efficiently with diverse internal and external customers.

Judgment/Responsibility        

• Ability to exercise sound judgment.        
• Ability to exhibit a professional and civic-minded approach at all times.         
• Ability to maintain a calm and professional demeanor when faced with sensitive topics.        
• Ability to work both independently and in a team environment.        
• Commitment to serve the public honestly and with sensitivity.         
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.

The current salary range (2FX) is $48,670 - $67,616 annually, and the resident incentive salary range for City of Milwaukee residents is $50,130 - $69,644 annually. Appointment above the minimum is possible based upon level of experience and other qualifications and is subject to approval.   

The City of Milwaukee provides a comprehensive benefit program which include:

• Defined Benefit Pension Plan       
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan         
• Health and Dental Insurance         
• Comprehensive Wellness Program         
• Onsite Clinic Services         
• Onsite Employee Assistance Program         
• Alternative Work Schedules        
• Long Term Disability Insurance         
• Group Life Insurance        
• Tuition Benefits         
• Paid Vacation        
• 11 Paid Holidays         
• Paid Sick Leave and other paid leaves         
• Flexible Spending Arrangement         
• Commuter Value Pass    

For full details of the benefits offered by the City of Milwaukee, please visit https://city.milwaukee.gov/der/benefits.

THE SELECTION PROCESS will be job related and will consist of one or more of the following: education and experience evaluation; written, oral, or performance tests, or other assessment methods. The Department of Employee Relations reserves the right to call only the most qualified candidates to oral and performance examinations. Oral examinations may include written exercises. Selection process component weights will be determined by further analysis of the job.

INITIAL FILING DATE - The examination will be held as soon as practical after Friday, August 27, 2021, Wednesday, September 1, 2021. Receipt of applications may be discontinued at any time after this date without prior notice. However, recruitment may continue until the needs of the City have been met. Qualified applicants will be notified of the date, time, and place of the examination. Unless otherwise required by law, the City of Milwaukee will not provide alternative test administration. The applicant is responsible for attending all phases of the job selection process at the time and place designated by the City of Milwaukee.

• APPLICATIONS and further information can be accessed by visiting www.jobapscloud.com/MIL       
• If you would like assistance completing an application, please contact the Department of Employee Relations at (414) 286-3751 or staffinginfo@milwaukee.gov.        
• The Department of Employee Relations is located in City Hall, 200 E Wells St, Room 706, Milwaukee, WI 53202.

EEO 208

The City of Milwaukee values and encourages diversity and is an equal opportunity employer.