Transportation Grants Manager

  • Full-time

Company Description

A best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here. With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers boundless opportunities to make an impact.

As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.

What we offer

  • Impact - The work you do here matters to millions. 
  • Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it? 
  • Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.
  • Benefits - We care about your well-being.


Agency Description

The Managing Director’s Office of Transportation, Infrastructure, and Sustainability (OTIS) is charged with driving change through our transportation and infrastructure systems. OTIS leads a portfolio of departments, including Streets Transportation, Streets Sanitation, Philadelphia Water Department (PWD), and the Office of Sustainability to provide cost-effective quality services with a focus on the resident. OTIS collaborates with a wide variety of organizations such as DVRPC, PATCO, PennDOT, and SEPTA. 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/.

Job Description

Work-Life

Working hours are generally 37.5 hours per week.  Our team is currently hybrid with both virtual and in-office days, however the position can opt to come in the office each day if desired.

The Transportation Grants Manager position leads 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, application preparation, and supporting staff in reporting and close out. The ideal candidate will take a detail-oriented approach to identify, track, apply, and comply with grant requirements. Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills are needed to articulate the rules, regulations, and requirements of myriad grant programs.

Essential Functions

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

 • Manage planning and development of grant proposals for public infrastructure projects. Submit grant applications on behalf of OTIS and the Streets Department.

 • Understand the primary roles and functions of the portfolio departments, specifically OTIS policy and planning staff and the Transportation division of the Streets Department.

• Manage and supervise a grant development and coordination team, including direct reports, consultants, and key stakeholders in other departments, to achieve City goals.

• 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. Coordinate with the Federal Highway Administration, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, and Southeast Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA).

 • 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 and a catalogue of grant applications to 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, develop, and maintain 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.

 • 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.

  • Work with the Infrastructure Solutions Team to identify workforce and equitable contracting goals that may be achieved with grant funding.

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.

 • Supervisory and/or project and program management experience is preferred but not required

• 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.

• Commitment to furthering equity goals via public investments in infrastructure

Qualifications

Required:

 • A bachelor's degree from 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.

 • Five or more years of experience in grant writing, administration, or equivalent experience. Desirable:

 • Experience managing staff a bonus but not required.

 • Experience and knowledge of transportation capital funding, and of the Bi-partisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) in particular.

 • Experience working with transportation engineers and planners on project development. We welcome and encourage applicants with non-traditional career paths. If you don’t exactly meet the qualifications outlined here, please apply and describe in your cover letter how your own experiences equip you to excel in this position.

Additional Information

TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a cover letter and resume.

Salary Range: $85,000 - $95,000 

Did you know?

  • We are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program qualified employer
  • 25% tuition discount program for City employees (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

*The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire

Please note that effective September 1, 2021 the City of Philadelphia is requiring all new employees to present proof of vaccination against COVID-19. 

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