Management Analyst- Rail/Transit

Riverside County Transportation Commission; Riverside (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) seeks a journey-level Management Analyst to support rail programs and projects. You will perform planning, program and budget analysis for commuter rail and related initiatives, with a focus on policy interpretation and efficient processes.

The role provides professional guidance to management staff, contributing to grant management, budget development, contract administration, and performance reporting across multiple departments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in urban/regional planning, public administration, public policy, business administration, or related field.
• At least three years of professional experience in budgetary, program, and administrative analysis.
• Equivalent combination of training and experience acceptable.

Responsibilities

• Supports management with varied research, data, budgetary and program analysis for rail projects and programs.
• Assists with grant funding development, administration and reporting to federal, state and local agencies.
• Prepares staff reports, analyses, and presentations for management and commissions.
• Coordinates with departments and external partners on planning documents and program plans.
• Monitors budgets, accounts, and financial reporting to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Supports contract administration and vendor coordination for rail-related initiatives.

Skills

Budget analysis

Program analysis

Contract administration

Grants analysis

Research methods

Education

Bachelor's degree in urban/regional planning, public administration, public policy, business administration, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Under general supervision, provides a variety of analytical and technical support to program managers and director level positions; provides varied planning, program, and budgetary analysis to support rail programs and projects for commuter and passenger rail; performs other related work as required.

This is the journey-level class in the Management Analyst series. Incumbents perform varied research and analysis to support RCTC rail projects and programs. Incumbents support the work of management staff by providing a professional-level resource for program, budgetary, contract administration, grants analysis, administration, reporting, and operational analyses and studies. The work has technical and programmatic aspects requiring the interpretation and application of policies, procedures, and regulations. Positions at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. This class is distinguished from the Senior Management Analyst in that the latter serves as a subject matter expert in assigned program areas and is capable of performing the most complex duties assigned.

Qualifications

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Required: Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree in urban or regional planning, public administration, public policy, business administration, or a closely related field and at least three (3) years of professional experience in budgetary, program, and administrative analysis.

Examples of TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Performs varied research, data, budgetary and program analysis and monitoring as well as contract administration, to support RCTC rail and transit projects and programs.
• Performs funding/grant development and administration, including researching federal and state grant funding opportunities, attending grant funding workshops, and developing, submitting, and monitoring status of grant applications. This includes close coordination with other departments and local agencies, and completion of applications, resolutions, agenda items, and tracking forms.
• Responsible for the administration of various rail grants, including the coordination and submittal of various local, state, and federal grant reports, and submission to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) on a regular basis.
• Compiles and analyzes capital projects, monthly invoices, and financial grant reports to ensure appropriate use and reporting of revenues and expenditures and accuracy and compliance related to attainment of program goals.
• Administers and coordinates local marketing programs such as rail service, Operation Lifesaver Safety, Suicide Prevention, and various customer promotions to encourage rail ridership and service development. This may include contract administration and vendor procurement.
• Conducts surveys of station patrons as needed to improve the customer experience, helps coordinate station communications and advertising and assists with station related inquiries, policies and events.
• Assists with developing the department's annual budget; reviews, codes, and approves accounts payable and accounts receivable for assigned programs; researches and resolves errors as needed; maintains tracking spreadsheets for various expenses, subsidies, incentives, penalties, and budgets.
• Develops program plans and assists in meeting federal program requirements and regulations including Title VI and Transit Asset Management Plan, and federal and state reviews and audits.
• Coordinates the annual submission of financial and operational data for the National Transit Database.
• Coordinates with various departments and external partners to develop the Multimodal Short Range Transit Plan for submittal, approval, amendments, and programming into the Federal Transit Improvement Program (FTIP).
• Coordinates with various departments and external partners to review and revise planning and programming documents such as the Regional Transportation Plan, FTIP, and other plans and studies.
• Reviews and monitors the performance of passenger rail service operations and programming including attending member agency meetings, reviewing plans and projects, and supporting management in project implementation.
• Assists capital and facilities staff on rail capital and rail station management issues related to passenger experience.
• Prepares and presents staff reports to the Commission, Technical Advisory Committee, Citizens and Specialized Transit Advisory Council (CSTAC), and other community groups on rail and transit related programs and projects.
• Provides staff support and meeting coordination for the CSTAC including developing agendas and outreach to citizen members.
• Compiles various program year-end reports to identify deliverables for inclusion in RCTC documents and presentations and to set goals for future improvement.
• Researches and responds to inquiries and requests in support of senior management staff.
• Coordinates with legal counsel to draft and execute various contracts for assigned programs.
• Responds to, tracks, and manages system comments, public inquiries, program complaints, and feedback pertaining to assigned programs.
• Attends and participates in partner agency meetings with Caltrans, Southern California Association of Governments, Southern California Regional Rail Authority, and other agencies on behalf of RCTC.
• Reviews and provides summaries of various meetings and agendas for management and elected officials.
• Participates in, reviews, and provides feedback on internal and external member agency plans, studies, and projects.
• Performs other special projects and duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Project and/or program management, analytical processes, and report preparation techniques.
• Organizational and operational practices as applied to the analysis, evaluation, development, and implementation of programs, policies, and procedures.
• Budget development, contract administration, and sound financial management policies and procedures, including funding sources and funds disbursement.
• Urban/regional planning theories, practice, and research methodology.
• Research and reporting methods, techniques, and procedures.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility, including familiarity with the California Transportation Development Act (TDA).
• Record keeping principles and procedures.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
• Techniques for effectively representing RCTC in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, educational, regulatory, and legislative organizations.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and RCTC staff.

Ability to:

• Perform programmatic administrative, budgeting, and fiscal reporting activities.
• Conduct research on a wide variety of administrative topics.
• Analyze, interpret, summarize, and present administrative and technical information and data in an effective manner.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials.
• Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations.
• Effectively represent the department and RCTC in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, and various businesses, professional, and regulatory organizations, and in meetings with individuals.
• Establish and maintain a variety of filing, record keeping, and tracking systems.
• Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Operate and maintain modern office equipment, including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and legal guidelines in politically sensitive situations.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Physical & Environmental Elements:

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to operate a motor vehicle and to visit various RCTC meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 25 pounds.

This is primarily a sedentary classification and the employee works in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. The employee interfaces with staff, management, other departmental representatives, transportation and government officials, business representatives, and the general public in explaining RCTC policies and requesting and providing information.