Community Investment and Grants Lead

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF POSITION

This role leads strategic funding initiatives that support Arkansas Electric Cooperatives' priorities and strengthen rural communities. This role coordinates grant opportunities and multi-cooperative projects, working closely with External Affairs, member cooperatives, and key stakeholders to align funding strategies with organizational objectives. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support the development and execution of a multi-year funding strategy aligned with Arkansas Electric Cooperatives' strategic priorities.
• Identify, evaluate, and prioritize federal, state, foundation, and corporate funding opportunities.
• Coordinate funding initiatives and strategic projects across Arkansas's electric cooperatives to maximize impact and competitiveness.
• Build and maintain relationships with economic development organizations, government officials, community leaders, business customers, and other key stakeholders.
• Collaborate with Governmental Affairs, Corporate Communications, Member Services, and cooperative leaders to align funding and community development efforts.
• Lead the identification, development, and packaging of multi-cooperative initiatives for regional, statewide, and federal funding opportunities.
• Facilitate cross-cooperative collaboration to strengthen project readiness, funding competitiveness, and statewide outcomes.
• Support community and economic development initiatives, including business attraction, expansion, industrial site development, and site certification efforts.
• Assist with responses to RFIs, RFPs, and site selection projects to support economic development objectives.
• Develop and write high-quality, persuasive grant proposals, narratives, budgets, and supporting documents tailored to specific federal grant requirements.
• Build and maintain a pipeline of funding opportunities aligned with enterprise and community development goals.
• Monitor funding, regulatory, economic, and industry trends and provide strategic recommendations to leadership.
• Develop and utilize evaluation criteria, tracking tools, and reporting processes to measure funding performance and return on investment.
• Provide workforce, demographic, infrastructure, and economic data to support project development, prospect engagement, and stakeholder decision-making.
• Represent Arkansas Electric Cooperatives and member cooperatives at industry events, public meetings, community forums, and economic development activities.
• Support additional enterprise-level initiatives and cross-functional priorities within External Affairs as needed to advance organizational objectives.
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 25% of the time, including occasional overnight travel, as required to meet business needs.
• Maintain awareness of and compliance with applicable laws and regulations from various regulatory entities, internal policies, procedures, and directives. Ensure ongoing monitoring and timely incorporation of any changes to maintain adherence to compliance standards.
• Due to our obligation to provide continuous, reliable electric service to our customers, the ability to maintain regular and punctual attendance and the ability to work outside your regularly scheduled office hours when necessary is an essential function of the job.
• Other Duties as Assigned.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES CONT'D

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Business, Energy Management, Environmental Science, Engineering, or a related field.

Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in grant writing, with a focus on federal grants for the electric utility or energy sector.

Proven track record of successfully securing federal funding for energy, infrastructure, or utility-related projects.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Valid driver's license

PREFERRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Certification in grant writing or project management (e.g., GPC, PMP).

Experience with multi-million-dollar grant proposals and managing large-scale, complex projects.

Understanding of regulatory and compliance issues affecting electric utilities.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

The following work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 
 
 The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. 

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES

The following physical activities described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and expectations. 
 
Moderate diversity, low physical. Work activities which allow for a moderate amount of diversity in the performance of tasks which are not as varied as those positions with high-level diversity and decision-making. 
 
While performing the functions of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk or hear; and occasionally required to stand, walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include distance vision; and color vision.  

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This position is designated as safety‑sensitive based on the duties performed. Employees in safety‑sensitive positions must comply with the Cooperative’s fitness‑for‑duty requirements and all applicable federal and state regulations governing workplace substance use and safety.  

Strong understanding of federal grant processes, requirements, and compliance regulations, particularly in the context of the electric utility industry. 
 
Exceptional writing, editing, and analytical skills, with the ability to craft clear, compelling narratives and detailed project budgets. 
 
Proficiency in using grant management software and online submission platforms (e.g., Grants.gov, SAM.gov). 
 
Excellent project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and work collaboratively across departments. 
 
Knowledge of federal agencies such as DOE, DOT, FEMA, EPA, and their funding programs relevant to electric utilities. 
 
Familiarity with industry-specific topics, such as renewable energy, smart grids, energy efficiency, and sustainability initiatives.