Proposal Specialist / Proposal Writer

Job Title: Proposal Specialist/ Proposal Writer

Location: Sarasota, FL (Corporate Office) or Houston, TX -- In-office
Reports To: Marketing & Proposal Manager

Compensation Range: $75,000 - $90,000 (hourly non-exempt); Depending on experience, skills, and qualifications

The Ceres Commitment

Ceres Environmental Services is a national leader in crisis management, rapid response, and disaster recovery, committed to rebuilding stronger, safer communities. Since 1976, Ceres has been awarded over $3.2 billion in government-funded contracts by helping people when they need it most.

We specialize in emergency response, environmental services, planning, and consulting, including debris removal, blue roofs, logistics, debris management, demolition, recycling, forest management, and coastal and marine restoration. As a licensed general contractor, we offer unparalleled expertise to restore stability where it’s needed most.

Driven by Purpose, Powered by People
At Ceres, we believe you’re more than just an employee, you’re part of a team with a purpose and a meaningful mission. Whether in management, field operations, or behind the scenes, every team member plays a vital role in restoring hope, helping communities recover and rebuild.

We value initiative, respect diversity, and give our people the freedom to lead. We offer competitive pay, travel opportunities, and a culture built on resilience and teamwork.

If you show up with compassion, share the commitment, react with urgency, and deliver solutions, you’ll fit right in. We don’t just respond to challenges—we rise to them.

Summary of Position

We’re hiring several Proposal Specialist/Proposal Writers to join our expanding Proposal Team. This is a high-impact role responding to approximately 150+ proposals each year, of varying levels of complexity with preparation timelines ranging from 1 week to 2.5 months.

As a Proposal Specialist/Proposal Writer, you will be responsible for preparing proposals, presentations, and qualifications documents to help secure new contracts. This role requires outstanding organizational skills, attention to detail, and strong writing/editing abilities.

What You’ll Do

• Prepare competitive proposals, presentations, and qualifications with a geographically dispersed team
• Track and manage active and completed proposals
• Develop compliance matrices and proposal outlines through careful review/analysis of RFPs
• Evaluate and clarify client requirements; participate in pre-proposal meetings
• Produce electronic and hard-copy proposal deliverables
• Collaborate with subject matter experts to gather information
• Perform quality assurance checks for grammar, formatting, consistency, and compliance
• Analyze unsuccessful proposals to improve future submissions
• Maintain and update generic proposal templates and materials
• Ensure compliance with company standards for data security
• Support other assigned projects as needed

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, Business, Technical Writing, or related field
• 2+ years of experience in proposal preparation or technical proposal writing
• Demonstrated experience in government proposal preparation
• Industry knowledge in disaster response, defense, or construction preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Adobe Creative Suite
• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy
• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to handle multiple deadlines
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Critical thinking and problem-solving abilities
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment

What to Expect

• Fast-Paced Environment: You’ll work on multiple proposals simultaneously, often with tight deadlines.
• Collaboration: Expect to partner with subject matter experts, project managers, and executives across departments and time zones.
• Continuous Learning: Exposure to diverse projects across disaster recovery, infrastructure, and environmental services.
• Impactful Work: Your efforts directly contribute to securing new business and supporting communities in need.
• Professional Growth: Opportunities to refine technical writing, project coordination, and compliance expertise.

Physical Demands

• Regularly required to sit, use hands, and reach with arms
• Occasionally required to walk, talk, and hear
• Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 lbs.
• Vision requirements: close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus

Work Environment

• Typical office environment with moderate noise from computers, printers, phones, and light customer traffic

Why Join Ceres?

• At Ceres, you won’t just have a job, you’ll have a mission. Your work will directly impact the speed and strength of community recovery after disasters.

We offer:

• A collaborative, mission-driven culture
• Opportunities for professional growth and advancement
• The chance to make a lasting difference for communities across the U.S.

Equal Opportunity Statement

• Ceres Environmental is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to age, race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, disability status, or protected veteran status.