Holley-Navarre Water System is an 18,000 strong, member owned, not-for-profit water and wastewater company in Santa Rosa County. HNWS has an annual budget of approximately $16 million. HNWS wholly owns two subsidiaries: an engineering firm and a golf course. 

HNWS is searching for a part-time grant writer. The grant writer will be responsible for researching, writing, and submitting compelling grant proposals to secure funding from foundations, corporations, community grants and government agencies for this 501(c)(12) utility cooperative. This role supports the organization’s mission by developing sustainable funding streams and ensuring compliance with all grant requirements.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:

Grant Research & Strategy: Identify, vet, and track upcoming funding (federal, state, local, foundation and corporate) opportunities aligned with organizational programs and strategic priorities, tailored to environmental, infrastructure, capital improvement and community development needs. 

• Develop multi-year funding strategies.
• Maintain a grants identification and tracking calendar with deadlines. Once awarded, track grant deliverables and deadlines; prepare interim and final reports.
• Create and maintain accurate Grants Archive documentation.
• Proposal Development: Draft, edit, and submit high-quality grant applications, ensuring all technical requirements and compliance standards are met. Candidate should be able to do the following:
• Write clear, persuasive, and high-quality, data-driven grant proposals.
• Prepare budgets in coordination with finance staff.
• Draft letters of inquiry (LOIs), concept papers, and full proposals.
• Compile attachments (IRS determination letter, 990s, board list, financials, etc.).
• Tailor narratives to each funder’s priorities and guidelines
• Agency Liaison: Navigate the specific portals and submission requirements through platforms such as Grants.gov, SAM.gov, and state agency portals, for programs such as FDEP, EPA, and CDBG.
• Collaboration: Work closely with HNWS staff and stakeholders to gather technical data, budgetary requirements, and project milestones for inclusion in proposals.
• Reporting: Assist in post-award reporting and documentation to ensure continued compliance and successful grant closeouts.
• Perform other related duties as assigned. 

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Technical Expertise: Direct, hands-on experience navigating and securing funds from:
• Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP)
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• Community Development Block Grants (CDBG)
• Skills: Exceptional written communication, strong organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple deadlines simultaneously.
• Familiarity with Florida-specific statutes and environmental regulations.
• Experience with federal systems such as Grants.gov and SAM.gov.
• Ability to translate technical engineering or environmental data into "layman’s terms" for reviewers.

Education and/or Experience 

Education: A bachelor’s degree in Technical Writing, Communications, Environmental Science, Public Administration, or a related field. Relevant Experience: 2–3 years of professional grant writing experience with a demonstrable success rate. Direct experience pursuing federal and Florida funding sources, including FDEP, EPA, and CDBG programs preferred. Ideal candidate would also have experience with federal systems such as Grants.gov and SAM.gov.

Computer Skills 

Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office and PDF software; ability to learn organization-specific systems.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations 

Current Florida Driver’s License.

Physical Demands/ Work Environment 

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and color vision. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Typical office setting with heavy foot traffic.

Additional Information 

The majority of work to be located in the HNWS office, but some portion of Remote or Hybrid may be negotiable (must be available for occasional virtual meetings during EST business hours).

HNWS intends to hire this position as a part-time position, which will mean 20-24 hours per week on average. However, HNWS may choose to either make this a full-time position or fill as a full-time position.