• Job Description

  Req#: 5168772

  Job Title: Grants Specialist

  Wage/Hour Status: Exempt

  Reports to: Director of State & Federal Programs

  Pay Grade: PG 2

  Dept./School: Business, Finance & Administrative Services

  Initiated Date: April 2025

  WHO WE ARE

  La Joya Independent School District (ISD) is committed to excellence for students and our community. We have a strong, 100-year, legacy in the Rio Grande Valley. The district’s vision - Educational Excellence: The Right of Every Student - conveys our urgent focus on students.

  Our work is rooted in five district priorities, which require collaboration and deep commitment to supporting one another as we serve the community.

  1. Customer Service
  2. Trust & Transparency
  3. High-Quality Instruction
  4. Excellence in Leadership
  5. Integrity & Accountability

  We are focused on ensuring every student in La Joya ISD has access to high-quality, best-fit schools as we work to improve from a B-district to an A-rated district. We serve more than 22,000 students in more than 30 schools and span six municipalities, covering more than 220 square miles.

  WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

  We are seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented Specialist who can effectively manage all phases of the grant lifecycle—from development through compliance and reporting. The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical and project management skills, with a deep understanding of federal and state funding policies and procedures. This individual will serve as a vital liaison among campuses, departments, funding agencies, and service partners, ensuring grant proposals are strategically prepared and aligned with district priorities. They will be responsible for monitoring post-award grant implementation, guiding budget usage, and ensuring all compliance standards are met through accurate documentation and timely reporting. A successful candidate will be proactive, collaborative, and capable of navigating complex administrative processes to support educational initiatives across the district.

  WHY LA JOYA ISD

  You will be joining a district that is building on a legacy of achievement while rapidly improving and creating systems to reach new heights for student outcomes and improving the District's overall operational efficiency and effectiveness. You will receive intentional, targeted support in your essential role in serving the Business, Finance and Administrative Services Department of the District. We are also a district focused on continuous improvement and rigorous analysis of the policies and procedures we have in place to ensure that the financial and business operations of the District are transparent to the public and in keeping with generally acceptable accounting principles.

  Minimum Required Qualifications

  • Education:
  • Bachelor's degree in education, public administration, business or related field preferred.
  • Equivalent years of experience in grant writing, management, or administration may be considered in lieu of a degree

  • Experience:
  • Experience in grant writing, management, or administration.
  • Experience with grant funding sources, including federal, state, and private foundations.
  • Experience with budget development and monitoring.

  Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

  • Strong writing and research skills.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to interpret and apply complex grant guidelines and regulations.
  • Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects.
  • Ability to use correct English, grammar, spelling, and punctuation;
  • Ability to use modern office methods procedures, word processing equipment, and software;

  MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

  General:

  Performs grant development and administration work involving preparing, maintaining, and reporting grants; evaluates grant applications to determine appropriateness of grant or compliance with requirements and standards; monitors grant awards; and serves as a liaison between funding sources and the grant owners.

  Grant Development

  • Assists in the planning and preparation of grant proposals influencing departments and/or campuses in the District.
  • Maintains and gains knowledge of federal and state funding policies, requirements, and procedures; disseminates information to departments and campuses, and advises on change.
  • Coordinates relationship with private, non-profit service partners by developing processes and providing consultation.
  • Plans, organizes, and provides project management structure to activities of grant administration which are not routine activities for the grant recipients.

  Grant Monitoring

  • Monitors and coordinates the administration and budget usage of post-award state and federal grants to ensure that problems are addressed and resolved during the grant period, and that grant reports are compiled and filed by state and federal deadlines.
  • Ensures grantees’ compliance with conditions of grants by monitoring and analyzing agreements, contracts, expenses, activities, and federal and state regulations.
  • Guides and provides assistance in the implementation of grant action plans, including facilitating grant management meetings, maintaining activity logs and timelines, tracking major milestones, and corresponding with grant owners regarding budgets, documentation and compliance.
  • Facilitates grant management and communication processes (e.g. agendas, templates, time and effort logs, announcements minutes).
  • Serves as liaison between District departments and campuses, granting agencies, and the Division of Business, Finance and Administrative Services in both initial budgeting, budget maintenance, and management of proposed and granted awards.
  • Applies knowledge of accounting, budget, and project management practices within the framework of District procedures to help accomplish goals of grants.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

  Safety:

  • Performs preventive maintenance on tools and equipment and ensures equipment operates safely.
  • Follows established safety procedures and techniques to perform job duties, including lifting and climbing; operates tools and equipment according to established safety procedures.
  • Corrects unsafe conditions in the work area and promptly reports any conditions that are not immediately correctable to the supervisor.

  Supervisory Responsibilities

  • None

  Personal Work Relationships

  • All La Joya ISD employees must maintain a commitment to the District’s mission, vision, and strategic goals.
  • Exhibits high professionalism, standards of conduct, and work ethic.
  • Demonstrates high-quality customer service; builds rapport/relationship with the consumer.
  • Demonstrates cultural competence in interactions with others; is respectful of co-workers; communicates and acts as a team player; promotes teamwork; responds and acts appropriately in confrontational situations.

  Travel Requirements

  • Travels to school district buildings and professional meetings, as required.

  Physical & Mental Demands, Work Hazards

  • Tools/Equipment Used: Standard office equipment, including computer and peripherals.
  • Posture: Prolonged sitting and standing; occasional stooping, squatting, kneeling, bending, pushing/pulling, and twisting.
  • Motion: Frequent repetitive hand motions, including keyboarding and use of mouse; occasional reaching.
  • Lifting: Occasional light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds).
  • Environment: Works in an office setting; may require occasional irregular and/or prolonged hours.
  • Attendance: Regular and punctual attendance at the worksite is required for this position.
  • Mental Demands: Maintains emotional control under stress; works with frequent interruptions.

  Position Working Days:

  
  226 Days

  NOTE: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive description of all work requirements and responsibilities, and management reserves the right to revise the job description or require that other responsibilities be performed when the job changes. Additionally, the minimum level of education notated as a requirement could be supplemented by commensurate experience and/or certification(s) or license(s) as determined by the hiring manager.

• About the company

  Educational Excellence: The Right of Every Student

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