Grant Writer (Full-Time)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Life insurance

Long-term disability

Health, dental, and vision insurance

403(b) retirement plan

Job summary

Chico State Enterprises, on behalf of the Center for Regenerative Agriculture and Resilient Systems (CRARS) at California State University, Chico, seeks a part-time grant writer to secure funding for regenerative agriculture initiatives across California. The role involves identifying opportunities, developing competitive proposals, coordinating with internal teams, and supporting post-award reporting.

Collaboration with the director and partners will be essential to expand CRARS’ grants

Qualifications

• Strong writing and storytelling skills with ability to translate technical information.

Responsibilities

• Research and identify funding opportunities from federal, state, foundation, and private-sector sources.
• Develop competitive grant proposals, concept papers, and letters of inquiry.
• Coordinate proposal development among faculty, researchers, and university administration.
• Prepare project narratives, budgets, work plans, timelines and logic models.
• Ensure proposals meet sponsor requirements and deadlines.
• Maintain a grant opportunity calendar and proposal pipeline.
• Assist with post-award reporting and impact reporting.
• Develop and maintain relationships with funding agencies and partners.
• Support fundraising initiatives aligned with CRARS’ mission.

Skills

Strong writing

Editing

Storytelling

Research

Project management

Time management

Budgeting

Microsoft Office Suite

Google Workspace

Grant management platforms

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Agriculture or ecological sciences degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Grant management platforms

Job description

STATUS

Full-Time / Benefited / Hourly / Non-Exempt

COMPENSATION

$35.00 - $38.00 per hour

DEPARTMENT

Center for Regenerative Agriculture and Resilient Systems (CRARS)

LOCATION

Chico State Campus. This is a hybrid work environment that is eligible for partial telecommuting and requires approximately 50% of the time spent in the office.

RECRUITMENT ID

482

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.

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 as:
• 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

Benefits for employees working 30 hours or more per week include employer paid life insurance

($50,000) and long-term disability; options for health, dental, and vision insurance; FSA; paid holidays

including 1 personal holiday; vacation accrual (initially 10 days/year); sick leave accrual (up to 12 days/year); employer contributions to a 403(b) retirement plan (up to 8%

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. If you need assistance in this regard, or are having technical difficulties, please contact the Human Resources office at 530-898-6811 or [e-mail] prior to 5:00 p.m. on the document deadline date. 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.

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.