Transportation Grants Coordinator

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Agency Description

The Managing Director’s Office of Transportation, Infrastructure, & Sustainability (OTIS) directs the policies and practices that improve the quality of life in all of Philadelphia’s communities through safe and sustainable infrastructure. OTIS represents a portfolio of departments that include a small policy and planning staff reporting directly to the Deputy Managing Director, the policy-driven Office of Sustainability, and two operating departments:  the Transportation and Sanitation divisions of the Streets Department, and the Philadelphia Water Department.

More information about the functions of OTIS can be found at: www.phila.gov/otis, https://www.phila.gov/departments/office-of-sustainability, and https://www.phila.gov/departments/department-of-streets/.

The Transportation Grants Coordinator position supports the development and implementation of the City’s transportation grant strategy, including all steps in the process from identification of grant resources, matching transportation objectives with those resources, and supporting staff in application preparation, reporting, and close out. A methodological and analytical approach to identify, track, and comply with grant requirements is a significant aspect of the work. Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills are needed to articulate the rules, regulations, and requirements of myriad grant programs.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•    Understand the primary roles and functions of the portfolio departments, specifically OTIS policy and planning staff and the Transportation division of the Streets Department. 
•    Serve as a liaison among OTIS, the Streets Department, the Mayor’s Policy Office, the Mayor’s Grants Office, other City departments (as applicable), and funders.  Coordination with the Federal Highway Administration, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission and others would also be required.
•    Identify potential grant resources from government agencies, foundations, and corporations to meet the strategic, financial, and operational transportation needs of OTIS and the Streets Department.  
•    Maintain a library of grant program guidelines, a catalogue of grant applications, and track and evaluate application results. 
•    Analyze federal, state, and City legislative and policy initiatives to determine potential funding impacts on the city’s transportation programs and offer recommendations to OTIS’s senior staff regarding the City’s position.
•    Work with OTIS and the Streets Department to scope and develop a six-year capital plan.  
•    Work with OTIS and the Streets Department to identify and develop strategies that prioritize projects to optimize the grants administration process.  
•    Support project staff in grant preparation and reporting, as needed.
•    Track deadlines and deliverables to ensure staff meets grant-related responsibilities. 
•    Provide quality assurance that the grant proposal is complete and in accordance with a funder’s requirements. 
•    Monitor paperwork and other related documents connected with grant-funded programs. 
•    Monitor payments and receivables and track funding received. 
•    Submit grant applications on behalf of OTIS and the Streets Department. 
•    Work with the Streets Department to facilitate quarterly grant meetings with the Streets Department, and other partner departments, as needed. 
•    Assist the Streets Department in fielding requests for application support from third parties, such as other City departments or non-profit organizations. 
•    Support the policy and planning work at OTIS, as required, including assisting with public engagement and data analysis on transportation projects, bike share and bus shelter program support, and electric vehicle policy. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
•    Coordinate senior leadership and staff of OTIS and the Streets Department (and other departments, as applicable) on preparing transportation-related grant applications.
•    Provide training to new staff on grants management and reporting requirements.
•    Support OTIS and Streets Department staff to manage grants from award to close out.
•    Catalogue and track grant applications; evaluate application results.

COMPETENCIES, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
•    Transportation Grant Literacy.  Proficient in identifying transportation funding opportunities, including those for multimodal transportation systems.
•    Planning and Evaluating.  Possess: exceptional organizational skills; demonstrated time management skills, including an ability to prioritize tasks while maintaining attention to detail; analytical skills; basic financial management skills, including developing and monitoring budgets and financial reporting.
•    Written Communication.  Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.
•    Oral Communication.  Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, considering the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
•    Interpersonal Skills.  Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences.
•    Ability to work independently upon clear direction.
•    Ability to work under pressure.
•    Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
•    Experience with Adobe Creative Suite.
 

·         Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university. Master's degree preferred.  Optimal candidate has a planning, urban studies, or related degree with experience in the transportation planning field.

·         Two or more years of experience in grant writing and administration or equivalent.

SALARY: $55,000 - 60,000

Please attach a cover letter and resume in the additional attachments section. Applications without all documents will not be considered.

Did you know?

• We are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program qualified employer
• Employees are eligible for a 25% tuition discount program (and sometimes spouses and dependents as well) in partnership with area colleges and universities
• We offer comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents
• Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
• Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Generous retirement savings options are available 

Successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to [email protected] For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx

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