Grant Writer

Chico State Enterprises; Chico (CA); Hybrid; USD 48,000 - 52,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Sick leave

Job summary

Chico State Enterprises is seeking a part-time grant writer to help secure funding for CRARS at California State University, Chico. The role focuses on identifying opportunities and developing competitive proposals to support regenerative agriculture and climate resilience across California.

Work with the director, faculty, and external partners; approximately 15–25 hours per week with workload-based flexibility; partial telecommuting allowed and location is Chico State Campus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred.
• Three or more years of grant writing experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop compelling grant proposals, concept papers, letters of inquiry, and funding applications.
• Coordinate proposal development among faculty, researchers, project partners, and university administration.
• Prepare project narratives, budgets, work plans, timelines, and supporting documentation.
• Gather and synthesize technical information into clear, persuasive proposals.

Skills

Strong writing

Editing

Storytelling

Research

Project management

Time management

Translate complex scientific info

Budget development

Office tools

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Agriculture or ecological sciences a plus

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Proposal management systems

Job description

STATUS: Part-Time / Non-Benefitted / Hourly / Non-Exempt

COMPENSATION: $35.00 - $38.00 per hour

DEPARTMENT: Center for Regenerative Agriculture and Resilient Systems (CRARS)

LOCATION: Chico State Campus. This position is eligible for partial telecommuting.

RECRUITMENT ID: 455

RESIDENCY: Candidate must be a California resident. Chico State Enterprises is not a sponsoring agency for staff and management positions (i.e., H-1B Visas).

The Center for Regenerative Agriculture and Resilient Systems (CRARS) at California State University, Chico advances research, education, technical assistance, and workforce development that support regenerative agriculture and resilient food systems. Working with farmers, ranchers, government agencies, nonprofits, Tribal communities, and industry partners, CRARS develops science-based solutions that improve soil health, water resilience, biodiversity, climate adaptation, and agricultural profitability across California

POSITION SUMMARY

The Center for Regenerative Agriculture and Resilient Systems (CRARS) is seeking a highly motivated and experienced part-time grant writerto help secure competitive funding that advances regenerative agriculture, climate resilience, agricultural education, workforce development, and applied research throughout California. The grant writer will work closely with the director, associate director, faculty, technical assistance staff, and external partners to identify funding opportunities, develop competitive proposals, coordinate proposal development, and support post-award reporting. This position plays a critical role in expanding CRARS’ portfolio of grants and contracts while helping build long-term partnerships with government agencies, foundations, industry, and nonprofit organizations. This position is approximately 15-25 hours per week, with flexibility based on workload and funding cycles.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Research and identify funding opportunities from federal, state, foundation, and private-sector sources.
• Develop compelling, competitive grant proposals, concept papers, letters of inquiry, and funding applications.
• Coordinate proposal development among faculty, researchers, project partners, and university administration.
• Prepare project narratives, budgets, work plans, timelines, logic models, and supporting documentation.
• Gather and synthesize technical information into clear, persuasive proposals for diverse audiences.
• Ensure proposals meet sponsor requirements, deadlines, and university compliance policies.
• Maintain a grant opportunity calendar and proposal pipeline.
• Assist with post-award reporting, progress updates, and impact reporting.
• Develop and maintain relationships with funding agencies, philanthropic organizations, and collaborative partners.
• Support strategic fundraising initiatives that align with CRARS’ mission and long-term priorities.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

• Strong writing, editing, storytelling, research, and project management skills.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to translate complex scientific and technical information into accessible proposal narratives.
• Budget development and project planning experience.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and grant management platforms.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with multidisciplinary teams.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred. A degree in agriculture or ecological sciences is a plus.
• Three or more years of successful grant writing experience.
• Demonstrated record of securing competitive grants.
• Experience with higher education, nonprofit organizations, or public agencies preferred.
• Ability to manage multiple proposals and deadlines simultaneously.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Strong computer skills, including experience with proposal management systems and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Familiarity with regenerative agriculture, climate-smart agriculture, natural resources, sustainability, workforce development, local food systems, or agricultural research is highly desirable.
• Experience writing proposals for organizations such:
• U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) including NIFA, NRCS, AMS, FSA, AFRI programs.
• California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA).
• California Department of Conservation (DOC).
• U.S. Department of Energy.
• National Science Foundation (NSF).
• Foundations supporting agriculture, climate, conservation, education, and rural communities.

BENEFITS

• Sick leave (up to 5 days/year)

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Chico State Enterprises provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. It is Chico State Enterprises’ policy to hire only United States citizens and aliens lawfully authorized to work in the United States. All new employees must provide proof of identity and authorization to work.

Paper applications will not be accepted; however, Chico State Enterprises is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is happy to provide reasonable accommodation to applicants at any step of the application process.

The employer is Chico State Enterprises, a nonprofit corporation serving as an auxiliary organization of California State University, Chico. Employment is considered to be at-will.