Senior Grant Writer

The Grant Writer position supports the NCDOT Rail Division by leading the development, coordination, and submission of competitive grant applications to secure funding for rail projects and programs across North Carolina. This role will sit out of Raleigh, NC.

This role requires strong collaboration with internal leadership, external partners, and technical teams to identify funding opportunities, develop project concepts, and produce high-quality application materials.

At WGI, you will find talented, passionate associates providing exceptional service in collaborative, team-driven environments, all while having fun and enjoying the work they do. WGI takes pride in being one of the nation’s top consulting firms -- and we have the awards to prove it. We work to stay ahead of the curve by investing in the latest tools and technology. WGI is always looking for remarkable individuals to join our team and help us grow in our vision. If you think you are an innovative, self-motivated team-player, and want to shape your community, join our WGI team today!

Grant Strategy and Coordination

• Coordinate with Rail Division leadership and management to identify funding priorities and align grant pursuits with strategic objectives.
• Monitor, review, and evaluate Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs) to determine applicability and competitiveness.
• Prepare concise summaries and briefings of funding opportunities for internal stakeholders.
• Verify availability and eligibility of state and NCDOT funding to support grant applications and associated engineering services.
• Develop and refine scopes of work for engineering firms supporting grant application development.
• Coordinate and lead meetings with engineering consultants to identify, develop, and advance potential rail projects and programs.
• Prepare cost estimates for grant application packages and present recommendations to the NCDOT Rail Division’s Planning & Development Branch Manager.

Grant Application Development and Submission

• Assist with the preparation and submission of complete, compliant, and competitive grant application packages.
• Review grant narratives prepared by engineering firms to ensure alignment with program requirements and agency priorities.
• Complete all required federal and state application forms and supporting documentation.
• Draft and coordinate letters of support from local, regional, and national stakeholders.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for key partners, including the Rail Director, Highways Division, and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
• Request and coordinate debriefings from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) following grant award announcements.

Research and Stakeholder Engagement

• Identify and engage stakeholders relevant to proposed grant projects, including public agencies, regional partners, and industry organizations.
• Conduct research to identify eligible rail projects and align them with appropriate funding opportunities.
• Maintain ongoing communication with stakeholders to support project development and strengthen grant competitiveness.

Liaison and Partnership Management

• Serve as a liaison between NCDOT and the Western North Carolina Rail Corridor Committee, Inc., ensuring alignment on priorities, communication, and project development efforts.

• 10+ years of experience in Grant writing. 
• Exceptional writing, editing and reviewing skills. 
• Meticulous attention to detail.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word (advanced features including track changes, styles, and templates), contract management platforms (e.g., DocuSign, Ironclad, Conga, or similar), and Adobe Acrobat for PDF handling.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet tight deadlines, and work independently with minimal supervision.

Physical Demands

The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  Work is performed in an office setting.  Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate a computer, keyboard and mouse.  Use of a telephone headset will allow for virtual communication with team members through Zoom and/or Microsoft Teams.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is often required to sit for prolonged periods, use hands/fingers to handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls and reach with hands and arms, speak and hear.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

If you have what it takes to join our growing organization and want to be part of a dedicated team, please apply today. In return, WGI provides a competitive salary and an outstanding work environment. WGI is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled.

WGI does not accept any unsolicited resumes. Should any 3rd party agency or recruiters forward or submit any resume(s) to a WGI employee without a pre-existing contractual agreement, the submitted resume(s) will be deemed the property of WGI and no placement fee will be provided. 

All agencies and vendors are required to have a signed WGI vendor agreement form the WGI Chief HR Officer permitting them to work directly through our Talent Acquisition team. Obtaining this signed vendor agreement is the only way you will receive payment. Verbal or written commitments from any other member of our staff will not be binding. 

All third-part recruiting/supplemental staffing agencies are expected to familiarize themselves and abide by this policy.