Assistant Director, Grant Management

Metropolitan Transportation Authority; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is seeking an Assistant Director of Grants Management in New York. This role includes managing federal grant processes and ensuring compliance with federal regulations.

Candidates should possess a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field and have experience in financial management and public transportation. Strong communication skills and attention to detail are essential for this role, which also allows for teleworking opportunities.

Qualifications

• Strong attention to detail is required.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential.
• Must demonstrate ability to interact with various agencies.

Responsibilities

• Research and identify sources of Federal funds.
• Assist in managing the Federal Grant process.
• Provide guidance to Grant Management staff on preparing requests.

Skills

Attention to detail

Excellent communication skills

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Analytical capabilities

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business or related field

Minimum 6 years in financial management

Minimum 1 year in public transportation planning

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Management information systems

Job description

This position is eligible for teleworking , which is currently one day per week. New hires are eligible to apply 30 days after their effective hire date.

Opening

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is North America's largest transportation network, serving a population of 15.3 million people across a 5,000-square-mile travel area surrounding New York City, Long Island, southeastern New York State, and Connecticut. The MTA network comprises the nation’s largest bus fleet and more subway and commuter rail cars than all other U.S. transit systems combined. MTA strives to provide a safe and reliable commute, excellent customer service, and rewarding opportunities.

Position Objective

Under the direction of the Deputy Director of Grants Management, this position is responsible for conducting all functions of the Grant Management Division, including assisting in obtaining and managing federal grants for capital construction programs and projects for which available federal financial assistance is required by the MTA and its agencies. This position must coordinate activities among the operating MTA agencies, Construction and development Business Development Unit, and departments within MTA Headquarters, to ensure that the appropriate federal requirements and regulations are understood and met, the necessary applications are filed, and appropriate procedures are followed to obtain and effectively utilize maximum available federal capital and state assistance. The Assistant Director may represent the MTA at regional transportation planning meetings.

Responsibilities

• Research and identify sources of Federal funds available to the MTA.
• Assist in managing the Federal Grant process for the MTA.
• Support management of the annual FTA Public Hearing process based on the Grant Management Deputy Director’s instructions.
• Provide guidance to agency Grant Management staff in the actual preparation of requests for Federal grants for MTA C&D and MTA operating agencies, including new start projects, discretionary applications, and Emergency Relief.
• As required (or directed), act as the liaison between MTA and federal, state, and local transportation agencies, and other public and private transit operators, regulatory agencies, planning and development agencies on grant and federally funded project matters.
• Attends and participates in Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) technical committee meetings to assist in the development of the Transportation Improvement Program, the Regional Transportation Plan, and other MPO documents.
• Research and identify relevant notices in the Federal Register and critique that notice for Grant Management staff use, as appropriate. Work with the Deputy Director of Funding Policy & Special Capital Grant Programs and staff to evaluate MTA funding levels as it relates to proposed annual transportation bills and legislation to understand its proposed impact on MTA’s financial situation.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Complies with all policies and standards.
• May be required to work hours outside regular work hours, as applicable.
• Observes the work performed by contractors, as applicable.
• Reviews invoices and approves them if the work meets contractual standards, as applicable.
• Addresses performance issues with the contractor when possible, as applicable.
• Escalates issues to other parties when needed, as applicable.

Required Qualifications

Required Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• An equivalent combination of education from an accredited college and experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent organizational and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to interact with all internal levels within a given organization.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate with local, state, and federal agencies, which may include Federal Transit Administration, New York State Governor’s Office, New York City government elected officials, and other public officials, as well as any staff located at other federal or state agencies or authorities.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a high-profile, high-pressure environment effectively. Must maintain productive relationships with federal partners while consistently representing and advocating for the MTA’s interests in grant negotiations and compliance discussions.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with key internal and/or external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to complete short- and long-term projects effectively and as efficiently as possible.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite or comparable applications, i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Demonstrated analytical capabilities and quantitative skills. Must independently validate financial and grant data against established benchmarks and control reports (e.g., quarterly reports, audited schedules) before submitting any figures to leadership or federal partners.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Arts/Sciences (BA/BS) in business, public administration, economics, or finance, or a related field from an accredited college, or an equivalent combination of education from an accredited college and experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Minimum 6 years progressively responsible experience in budgeting and financial management, including experience with capital program management.
• Minimum 1 - year experience with management information systems.
• Minimum 1-year public transportation planning, operations, and financial management.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Master’s degree in Arts/Sciences (MA/MS), MBA/MPA degree in business, public administration, economics, finance, or a related field.
• Knowledge of federal and state requirements pertinent to federal grants.
• Knowledge of various organization structures at the City, County, State, and Federal levels, and the ability to participate effectively in committee structures, and the ability to negotiate on funding and planning issues.
• Mass transit planning, operations, and financing.
• Special knowledge of the various organizational structures at the City , State, and Federal levels and the personnel within each of these structures.
• Knowledge of the Transit Award Management System (“ TrAMs ”) or a comparable system.
• Familiarity with the MTA’s policies and procedures.

Other Information

Pursuant to the New York State Public Officers Law & the MTA Code of Ethics, all employees who hold a policymaking position must file an Annual Statement of Financial Disclosure (FDS) with the NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (the “Commission”).

MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including those concerning veteran status and individuals with disabilities.

The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.