Govt. Education - Project Specialist

Grant Funded Position: Grant End Date: September 30, 2025

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Project Specialist, under the general direction of the Education Director, is responsible for providing expertise in negotiating, preparing, submitting and reporting on Education's grants. The position is responsible for difficult to complex grant and administrative projects requiring diverse, advanced knowledge and expertise relating to strategic planning, and grant writing and monitoring in the education field. The position is responsible for reading, interpreting and developing a plan to implement awarded grants, which includes providing materials to staff and completing assigned specific tasks to assist in carrying out grant requirements.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: (includes, but is not limited to, the following)

• Provides direct service and support to the Education Division and assists with managing special projects, coordinating, developing, and monitoring strategic plans, and organizational needs as it relates to grants and Education Division goals and objectives.
• Collects, analyzes and interprets statistical and other data to support grant activities.
• Reviews and processes project documents i.e. contract and grant agreements for Education Director.
• Performs feasibility studies, needs assessments, surveys and analysis to determine membership educational needs.
• Facilitates strategic planning activities and the community-based planning process.
• Develops comprehensive strategic plans and monitors goals and objectives.
• Coordinates the development and implementation of special projects as directed.
• Ensures compliance, monitoring, reporting and oversight of Federal grants, including financial analysis, and performance progress tracking.
• Participates in procurement and contract administration.
• Develops media materials: newsletters, television and radio, brochures and fact sheets on Education current events.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES: (includes, but is not limited to, the following)

• Develops and conducts educational presentations to local government officials, tribal decision makers, educational personnel, community colleges, higher education and other community groups.
• Provides technical support for the Education Department.
• Maintains appropriate files, prepares correspondence, reports and written documentation.
• Prepares related grant implementation and training materials.
• Examines data and trends in the workforce.
• Conducts interviews with tribal students.
• Conducts mixed method analysis of educational research.
• Travels to meetings and conferences in state and occasionally out of state.
• All other job-related duties as assigned.

CONTACTS:

Immediate peers, peers in other departments, immediate supervisor/manager, managers in other departments, Executives, Board of Directors, Tribal members and employees, Tribal Elders and Traditional Ojibwe people, Anishinaabe knowledge carriers, individuals, families, community groups, pre-birth to higher educational institutions, tribal agencies, customers, vendors/service providers, local, state and federal grant agencies.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Position sedentary primarily sitting/lifting a maximum of 20 pounds. Physical factors include constant typing; frequent sitting, use of hearing, near vision; and occasional standing, walking, carrying/lifting, manual handling, use of midrange/far vision, depth perception and color/field of vision. Working conditions include occasional exposure to weather, extreme heat/cold, wet/humidity, noise and vibration and also contact with the general public, client contact and infectious exposure. Potential hazards include constant computer use and occasional equipment use.

REQUIREMENTS:

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in a Business, Education, or Social Services field required or five years demonstrated ability in related work experience may be considered in lieu of degree.

Experience: Minimum of 2 years of experience working with grants and grant reporting required in addition to the above stated education requirements. Experience, interest and commitment to Native American and Indigenous Studies preferred.

Certification/License: Will be required to undergo and successfully pass a background check. Must maintain a good moral character standing. Will be required to complete and pass pre-employment drug testing. Must have a valid driver’s license and be insurable by the Sault Tribe Insurance Department. Must comply with annual driver’s license review and insurability standards with the Sault Tribe Insurance Department.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Knowledge of grant writing, submission, and grant implementation and reporting required. Strategic planning skills preferred. Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite preferred. Knowledge of Project Management Software preferred. Must be able to write reports, proposals, budgets and related correspondence in a clear and concise manner. Must have excellent communication skills and be able to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing. Must have strong data analytical skills. Must have excellent organization skills; organizing work, prioritizing tasks and managing time. Must maintain confidentiality and privacy. Native American preferred.