Grant Resource Specialist (AZ)
Chandler, Arizona•Full-time
About the Job
The Grant Resource Specialist supports law enforcement agencies by equipping them with the knowledge, resources, and tools necessary to successfully secure grant funding. This role does not write or submit grants on behalf of clients; instead, it provides training, consultation, and structured resources that position agencies to independently complete competitive applications. The Grant Coordinator develops workshops, toolkits, and a centralized grant warehouse, while also facilitating partnerships and advocacy efforts that expand funding opportunities for law enforcement.
Essential Functions:
Research and Identify Opportunities:
- Continuously monitor and evaluate federal, state, and private grant programs relevant to law enforcement training and equipment.
- Curate opportunities into a centralized grant warehouse accessible to internal staff and client agencies.
- Seek after grant opportunities and write grants for VirTra to be awarded grants for conducting training and development of training resources.
Education & Train Agencies:
- Design and deliver workshops, webinars, and training sessions on grant writing, compliance, and application best practices.
- Provide clear examples, templates, and case studies that illustrate successful approaches.
Consultation & Coaching:
- Conduct one-on-one consultations with agencies to assess their needs, identify aligned funding opportunities, and prepare them to apply.
- Guide agencies through the entire grant process offering direction, resources, and strategies, while leaving the final submission in their control.
Resource Development:
- Create comprehensive toolkits, checklists, and templates that simplify the grant process.
- Maintain and expand the grant warehouse as a living resource, ensuring agencies have access to current and relevant information.
- Research and write grants and grant examples.
Partnerships & Networking:
- Collaborate with federal, state, and nonprofit organizations to expand law enforcement access to funding support networks.
- Partner with Marketing to build online platforms and facilitate networking events connecting agencies with funders, grant writers, and peers.
Advocacy & Storytelling:
- Collect and share success stories that highlight the impact of law enforcement agencies successfully securing grants.
- Advocate for the importance of funding law enforcement programs by raising awareness of challenges and opportunities.
Follow-up Support:
- Provide agencies with compliance guidance, project tracking resources, and post-award coaching to ensure successful implementation of funded initiatives.
Maintain Grant Intelligence:
- Track changes in federal and state funding priorities, legislation, and compliance requirements, and communicate updates to clients.
Develop Assessment Tools:
- Create standardized needs assessment surveys or checklists that agencies can use to align their requests with funding priorities.
Benchmark Best Practices:
- Research and compile examples of successful grant applications and strategies used by similar agencies and package them into reference materials.
Facilitate Peer Learning:
- Organize peer-to-peer roundtables or user groups where agencies can share experiences, lessons learned, and grant strategies.
Build Internal Knowledge Base:
- Maintain an internal archive of FAQs, case studies, and example narratives for quick reference when assisting agencies.
Support Proposal Readiness:
- Help agencies prepare required attachments (e.g., budgets, letters of support, project outlines) by providing templates and quality checks.
- Research and write proposals.
Compliance Preparation:
- Provide agencies with mock reviews or compliance checklists before they submit their applications.
Grant Readiness Workshops:
- Train agencies on organizational readiness topics such as data collection, budget preparation, and narrative development.
Performance Tracking Guidance:
- Advise agencies on how to design measurable objectives and track outcomes once funded.
Client Follow-Up:
- Conduct periodic check-ins with agencies after training or workshops to evaluate how resources were applied and identify additional support needs.
Knowledge Sharing with Marketing & Sales:
- Provide insight into funding trends that could help Marketing and Sales better align VirTras messaging with available grants.
Metrics & Reporting:
- Collect internal metrics (e.g., number of agencies trained, workshops delivered, resources used) to measure the effectiveness of the grant support program.
- Perform other duties as assigned to advance the effectiveness of the grant support program and organization mission.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Strong knowledge of federal, state, and private grant funding programs relevant to law enforcement and public safety.
- Ability to clearly explain complex grant requirements in a way that is accessible and actionable for clients.
- Skilled in designing and delivering workshops, webinars, and training sessions for diverse audiences.
- Strong consulting and coaching abilities with the capacity to guide clients through structured processes without assuming direct control.
- Proficiency in developing practical resources such as toolkits, templates, and guides.
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and rapport with law enforcement professionals, government partners, and community stakeholders.
- Excellent organizational and project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple client engagements and deadlines.
- Analytical skills to assess agency needs, align them with funding opportunities, and identify potential challenges.
- Competence with Microsoft Office Suite, CRM/ERP software, and grant management or knowledge-sharing platforms.
- Ability to document, track, and report program activities, including client engagement, training sessions, and success stories.
- Familiarity with law enforcement culture, operational priorities, and community impact considerations are strongly preferred.
Physical Demands:
- This position is primarily office-based, requiring extensive computer use and digital platforms.
- Occasional travel is required for client consultations, workshops, and conferences.
- Must be able to lift to 20 pounds as needed.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience using AI tools to capture and accelerate the grant lifecycle.
Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, Criminal Justice, or related field.
- 2–5 years of experience in grant research, grant writing, training, program coordination, or related consulting roles.
- Demonstrated experience providing training, resources, or consultation related to grants or funding.
- Experience with law enforcement, public safety, or government-funded programs strongly preferred.
Additional Requirements, if any:
- Standard work schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (with flexibility for deadlines, workshops, or events).
- Domestic travel may be required for training sessions, conferences, or client engagements.
- Pre-employment Drug Test required.
- Pre-employment Background Check required.
VirTra is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.
About VirTra, Inc.
VirTra creates intense, immersive training solutions that keep law enforcement officers safe, prepared and armed with excelled skills. We are a meticulous in assuring every aspect of each scenario is the highest quality for maximum realism and learning. This attention to detail is found in every true-to-life scenario, curriculum, recoil kit and electronic device train your team to the highest level of preparedness.