Metro is seeking a Senior Grants Writer and Program Specialist to assist in the planning, coordination and creation of federal, state and local grant applications and award contracts. This includes grant criteria analysis, data gathering, grant writing, contract creation and partnership building. The position also includes financial reporting, monitoring of spending, budget amendments and revisions and funding drawdowns including tracking the proportionate share of federal, state and local funding for each project.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Competency Statement(s)

• Communications - Excellent verbal, writing and non-verbal skills. Clear, concise, and persuasive.
• Excellent grammar and punctuation.
• Customer Focus - Excellent problem-solving skills and a desire to exceed customer expectations.
• Employee Development - Accurately identifies and measures own skills and knows when to ask for help in the completion of tasks and projects.
• Leadership - Energetic, takes initiative on projects, committed to continuous improvement. Professional Integrity - Accountable, honest, fiscally responsible, with the ability to maximize resources

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s Degree required, preferably in Business Administration, Communications, or Public Administration.
• Desired experience includes at least 3 years of experience in grant planning and development, grant or technical writing, and government regulations.
• Specific experience in transit grants would be great but not essential.
• Other experience that supports “essential functions” as noted above would be a plus. This includes experience with public/private partnerships, communications, capital project development and accounting.

COMPUTER SKILLS

Working knowledge of relational databases, spreadsheets, email applications, and Microsoft Office

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Combination of office and Remote work atmosphere
The company has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate.

• Prepare for and write grant applications and sub-recipient agreements.
• Coordinate grant projects with project managers of other Departments within SORTA and potential external partners
• Research topics related to grant application capital projects to enhance understanding and depth of applications
• Identify grants that support SORTA’s overall mission
• Assist with capital project and operational long term grant planning to meet SORTA’s strategic needs
• Identify and work with potential community partners
• Respond to questions from cost center managers relating to capital plans and grant funding.
• Assist with grant funding agreements as needed.
• Oversee the submission of projects to the State Transportation Improvement Program – ensuring submissions are accurate, complete and timely in support of the planned grant funding
• The ability to track project funding – including an estimated budget against approved funding and actual spend.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with appropriate personnel at federal, state and local/regional funding agencies.
• Have the ability to track important legislative research
• Assist in the tracking of grant and sub-grant funding, expenditures, outstanding balances and related variances, and the closing of grants.
• Prepare and file required federal and state grant financial and project status reporting as needed.
• Assist in preparation and/or coordination, with other departments, any documentation required in support of the FTA Triennial reviews.
• Perform other grant duties as assigned.
• Assist in the development of strategies to meet or exceed organizational and department performance goals and objectives, monitor results, and recognize employee, department and organization accomplishments.
• Model, facilitate and encourage exemplary internal and external customer service, open communication, collaboration, participation and professional development among staff.
• Provide a positive work environment that does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty or status as a covered veteran.
• Have the ability to work in compliance with Metro’s safety and security policies.