Projects and Grants Specialist (Time-Limited Position)

Metropolitan Transportation Commission; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) is seeking a qualified professional to support Sustainable Mobility & Operations (SUMO) and Capital Delivery & Asset Management, Road Tolling (CART) sections with grant and project administration.

You will assist grant managers with funding tasks, monitor grants, prepare extension requests, and support procurement and contract processes. This role offers hybrid on-site work options in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Qualifications

• Education/experience combination typical for transportation planning, project management or public administration roles.
• Bachelor's degree; Master’s preferred for advanced roles.
• Two years of increasingly responsible experience in related field.

Responsibilities

• Assist Grant Managers with funding tasks, monitor grants, and fulfill reporting requirements.
• Assist Project Managers with purchasing, contracts, planning, and communications.
• Support project tracking, budgeting, and procurement across SUMO and CART initiatives.
• Prepare and maintain documentation, extension requests, and templates for fund-source compliance.
• Coordinate meetings, scheduling (Outlook/Zoom), and records management.
• Engage with internal teams and external partners to support program delivery.

Skills

Task management

Project coordination

Stakeholder relations

Independent work

Flexibility

Critical thinking

Communication

MS Office

Adobe software

Business writing

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Master's degree desirable

Tools

Microsoft Office

Adobe software

Job description

DEADLINE

TO APPLY IS SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2025, AT 11:59 PM First round interviews tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, April 16, 2025 THIS IS A TIME-LIMITED POSITION THROUGH JUNE 30, 2026 A resume and cover letter are not required with your application, but highly encouraged. Be ready to rethink your assumptions about the public sector. Dedicated and motivated colleagues? Beautiful, high amenity building for on-site work and collaboration? Flexible schedules and hybrid work options? Yes, yes, and yes!

ABOUT MTC

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) is the transportation planning, financing, and coordinating agency for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area. For more information about MTC, visit us at www.mtc.ca.gov. The Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) is the land use and housing planning agency for the for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area and its programs are implemented by MTC staff. For more information about ABAG, visit us at www.abag.ca.gov. This position will be supporting both ABAG and MTC programs. MTC is committed to being an equitable and inclusive workplace.

ABOUT THE ROLE

This position will work with MTC project managers and grant managers from the Sustainable Mobility & Operations (SUMO) and Capital Delivery & Asset Management, Road Tolling (CART) sections, assisting them with a variety of project and grant activities including invoice review, procurement support, contract preparation, funding tasks, research, grant and federal project tracking, meeting administration and presentation preparation.

This position is an opportunity to assist with a variety of projects and programs within the SUMO and CART sections that may include:

• Forward Initiatives, such High Occupancy Vehicle policies, feasibility studies and transportation planning and analysis related to bus on shoulder and other initiatives
• Toll Bridge Rehabilitation Program, including overseeing the maintenance and capital improvement projects for toll facilities, tolling equipment and software (including the electronic toll system)
• Transportation System Management, including the Bay Area Incident Management Task Force and other initiatives in coordination with Caltrans and local agencies to enhance motorist and responder safety and support key regional traffic management improvements and reliable communications.

Assist Grant Managers with the following activities:

• Support funding tasks (e.g., federal fund closeout, obligation processes)
• Monitor existing grants
• Fulfill monthly/quarterly grant requirements
• Interpret and apply federal, state, regional, and local policies, procedures, and regulations
• Develop templates/checklists for fund source compliance
• Prepare extension requests

Assist Project Managers with the following activities:

• Purchasing/procurements
• Preparation of contracts
• Planning, research, and analysis
• Internal and external communications
• Presentation preparation
• Project and event planning and outreach
• Scheduling and supporting meetings (Microsoft Outlook and Zoom)
• Records management
• Federal project tracking tasks

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Required Skills:

• Manage multiple critical tasks with conflicting priorities and/or deadlines.
• Proactively plan and organize work; prioritize and follow-up on work assignments and coordinate multiple assignments with minimal supervision.
• Establish and sustain relationships with internal business teams, stakeholders, and agency partners.
• Work independently, as well as collaboratively, in a team environment.
• Respond to changing demands and changes in direction with flexibility and agility.
• Think critically and strategically, ask questions, consider alternatives, and make informed recommendations and decisions.
• Escalate risks and issues and keep supervisor and/or management informed of task progress.
• Skilled with Microsoft Office programs, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Adobe software.
• English language -- spelling, punctuation, usage and grammar for effective business writing, formatting, and presentation of materials and documents.
• Communicate clearly, positively and effectively; both verbally and in writing.

Desired Skills:

• Prior experience with grant and contract administration and knowledge of federal and state contracting procedures.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

An appropriate combination of education and experience that has provided the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way of obtaining the required qualifications is:

Education: A Bachelor's degree in an appropriate field related to the area of assignment, such as transportation planning, project management, public finance, transportation engineering, economics, business or public administration. A Master's degree is desirable. Applicants with a degree issued from an institution outside the United States must have their transcripts evaluated by an academic accrediting service and provide proof of equivalency along with their application.

Experience: Two years of increasingly responsible experience in an appropriate field related to the area of assignment.

LICENSE/CERTIFICATE: Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license and a safe driving record, or the ability to provide alternate transportation which is approved by the appointing authority.

EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS Successful completion of a background check, professional references and the Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9.

DISABILITY The Human Resources Department will make reasonable efforts in the recruitment or skills assessment process to accommodate applicants with disabilities. If selected for an interview or testing, and you require accommodation, please notify the Human Resources Department when confirming your interview or test.

APPLICATION ASSISTANCE If you need technical assistance with your on-line application, please contact NEOGOV's Applicant Support Line at [phone], available from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (PST) Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

All MTC employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.