Grant Writing Assistant Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $70,149.87 - $122,762.22 Annually
Location : Administrative Services Building of the Sheriff's Office, 10459 Main Street Fairfax, VA 22030 (FJ46), VA
Job Type: FT Salary W BN
Job Number: 26-01130
Department: Sheriff
Opening Date: 08/01/2026
Closing Date: 8/14/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Pay Grade: S24
Posting Type: Open to General Public
Job Announcement
Seeking a highly motivated, detail-oriented grant researcher, writer and application specialist with a proven track record of success. The successful candidate will play a critical role in researching, identifying and securing grant funding opportunities to support the organizations programs and initiatives. The position will involve a combination of research, proposal writing, collaboration and liaison with other departments, and overall management of the grant.
Position secures funding, identifying, pursuing, and managing grant opportunities. This position is responsible for the entire grant lifecycle, from research and application to monitoring and reporting. Research, writing, and project management, with a keen eye for detail and strong organizational skills. Key responsibilities include researching grant opportunities, collaborating with internal stakeholders to gather information, preparing, and submitting high-quality grant applications, ensuring compliance with grant requirements and maintaining comprehensive documentation. Also oversees the evaluation of grant-funded programs and manage all associated paperwork and reporting.
Duties include:

• Researches grant funding opportunities to support agency programs and initiatives.
• Develops compelling grant applications that comply with all requirements.
• Routinely presents grant status information to agency leadership.
• Coordinates with agency stakeholders to ensure grant applications are comprehensive.
• Collaborates with other public safety partners to share information.
• Manages grant funding to ensure monies are utilized in compliance with grant requirements.
• Develops required grant reporting documents such as grant award approval, grant closeout, third quarter, carryover, and other.

Illustrative Duties
(The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position job description.)

• Prepares and/or analyzes financial data and makes recommendations;
• Plans, organizes and participates in the reconciliation of funds;
• Prepares long range revenue and expenditure estimates necessary to forecast economic feasibility of various projects;
• Reviews and verifies postings to appropriate ledgers and subsidiary accounts;
• Applies budget, procurement, and payment procedures in accordance with established county policies, accounting principles (GAAP and GASB), and local and state policies and procedures;
• Prepares or assist development of the agency budget and monitors budget status.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities
(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)

• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles;
• Ability to prepare, interpret and analyze financial reports and statements;
• Ability to develop and apply budget, procurement, and payment procedures in accordance with established county policies.

Employment Standards
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to")
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with either a bachelor's degree in accounting, business administration, public administration, public policy or related field; plus, two years of professional-level experience in finance, business administration, budgeting, or contract management, a master's degree in a related field or CPA may substitute for 1 year of experience.
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, credit check, polygraph exam, and psychological exam to the satisfaction of the employer.
This position is emergency/essential services personnel. (Required to report for duty during inclement weather and/or other emergencies.)
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least three years of experience in grant research, writing and proposal development preferably in the public safety sector.
• Grant management experience.
• Thorough understanding of and experience with local, state, and federal funding sources and the ability to locate potential sources for funding.
• Thorough understanding of and experience with grant funding policies and procedures and applicable local, state, and federal regulations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Thorough understanding of effective grant writing techniques.
• Extremely organized and meticulous with details.
• Excellent project management skills and experience, and ability to prioritize work and resources.
• Ability to meet deadlines.
• Experience and ability to interpret financial data and prepare budgets and financial grant reports.
• Ability to be discreet with personal information that may be needed for some grants such as employee salaries or upcoming projects.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite or related software.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to input, access, and retrieve information from a computer. Must be able to lift up to 15 lbs. Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer. All duties may be performed with or without reasonable accommodations.
SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview and may include exercise.
Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including .) We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity.
Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.
Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY 703-222-7314. EEO/AA/TTY.
#LI-KA1
Merit Positions
Fairfax County is proud to offer employees an attractive and comprehensive benefits program, including the following:

• Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance Coverage
• Group Term Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• LiveWell Program
• Flexible Spending Programs
• Paid Leave (annual, sick, parental, volunteer activity, and more!)
• Paid Holidays
• Deferred Compensation
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employees' Child Care Center
• Continuous Learning Opportunities

Please click for a summary of our benefits.
NOTE: Fairfax County Government is a qualifying employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. For more information about the PSLF program:
For additional details please visit the
Non-Merit Positions

1. Non-Merit Benefit Eligible: scheduled to work a minimum 1,040 hours and no more than a maximum of 1,560 hours in a calendar year.
   • Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance Coverage
   • Flexible Spending Program
   • Deferred Compensation
2. Temporary: scheduled to work a maximum of 900 hours in a calendar year.
   • No benefits

01
What is the highest level of education that you have completed?

• Less than 12th grade
• High school diploma or GED
• Some college
• Associate's degree
• Bachelor's degree
• Master's degree
• Doctorate degree

02
If you answered "Some college" for the highest level of education completed, please indicate the number of quarter or semester hours you have completed towards a degree.

• Less than 45 quarter hours
• 45 to less than 90 quarter hours
• 90 to less than 135 quarter hours
• 135 to less than 180 quarter hours
• 180 or more quarter hours
• Less than 30 semester hours
• 30 to less than 60 semester hours
• 60 to less than 90 semester hours
• 90 to less than 120 semester hours
• 120 or more semester hours
• Not applicable

03
Please indicate the major(s) or minor(s) for your completed degree(s). Check all that apply.

• Accounting
• Business administration
• Finance
• Public administration
• Other (related field)
• Other (non-related field)
• Not applicable

04
If you answered "Other (related field)" or "Other (non-related field)" for the previous question, please list all of your majors and minors. If this question does not pertain to you, or you do not have a degree, enter "Not applicable".
05
Do you currently possess a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) license?If so, please list your license number and expiration date under the "Certificates and Licenses" section of your application.

• Yes
• No

06
How many years of full-time equivalent professional-level experience do you have in finance, business administration, budgeting, or contract management?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six or more years

07
How many years of full-time equivalent grant research experience do you have?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six or more years

08
How many years of full-time equivalent grant writing and proposal development experience do you have?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six or more years

09
How many years of full-time equivalent grant research, writing, and proposal development experience do you have in the public safety sector?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six or more years

10
How many years of full-time equivalent grant management experience do you have?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six or more years

11
How many years of full-time equivalent experience do you have with local, state, and federal funding sources and locating potential sources for funding?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six or more years

12
How many years of full-time equivalent experience do you have with grant funding policies and procedures and applicable local, state, and federal regulations?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six or more years

13
How many years of full-time equivalent project management experience do you have?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six or more years

14
How many years of full-time equivalent experience do you have interpreting financial data and preparing budget and financial grant reports?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six or more years

15
Please indicate your level of proficiency with basic Microsoft Office software.

• No experience
• Beginner (Basic knowledge of creating spreadsheet; slide presentations, brochures, and flyers)
• Intermediate (Knowledge of common commands, i.e., spreadsheet formulas, developing and modifying graphics, combining documents from various applications)
• Advanced (Extensive knowledge of most functions within Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher and Access)

Required Question