Assistant Director, Grant Management - Grant Management

This position is eligible for teleworking, which is currently one day per week. New hires are eligible to apply 30 days after their effective hire date.

Opening:

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is North America's largest transportation network, serving a population of 15.3 million people across a 5,000-square-mile travel area surrounding New York City, Long Island, southeastern New York State, and Connecticut. The MTA network comprises the nation’s largest bus fleet and more subway and commuter rail cars than all other U.S. transit systems combined. MTA strives to provide a safe and reliable commute, excellent customer service, and rewarding opportunities.

AI Enabled Recruiting Tools:

The MTA may use AI-enabled recruiting tools as part of the recruiting process for this position. Jobvite Talent Fit, an Automated Employment Decision Tool (AEDT), uses artificial intelligence to compare information in your resume and application materials against the qualifications, skills, experience, and requirements identified in this job posting to assist recruiters in evaluating candidate qualifications. Jobvite Auto Talent Rediscovery is an AI-enabled sourcing tool that evaluates previously submitted candidate profiles and application materials maintained within the MTA's Jobvite recruiting system to identify individuals whose qualifications may align with current job opportunities and who may be considered for outreach and invitation to apply. These tools assist recruiters and do not make employment decisions. All employment decisions include independent human review. Additional information about Talent Fit and the applicable bias audit is available at Talent Fit Bias Audit Summary.

Position Objective:

Under the direction of the Deputy Director of Grants Management, this position is responsible for conducting all functions of the Grant Management Division, including assisting in obtaining and managing federal grants for capital construction programs and projects for which available federal financial assistance is required by the MTA and its agencies. This position must coordinate activities among the operating MTA agencies, Construction and development Business Development Unit, and departments within MTA Headquarters, to ensure that the appropriate federal requirements and regulations are understood and met, the necessary applications are filed, and appropriate procedures are followed in order to obtain and effectively utilize maximum available federal capital and state assistance. The Assistant Director may represent the MTA at regional transportation planning meetings.

Responsibilities:

• Research and identify sources of Federal funds available to the MTA.
• Assist in managing the Federal Grant process for the MTA.
• Support management of the annual FTA Public Hearing process based on the Grant Management Deputy Director’s instructions.
• Provide guidance to agency Grant Management staff in the actual preparation of requests for Federal grants for MTA C&D and MTA operating agencies including, new starts projects, discretionary applications and Emergency Relief.
• As required (or directed), act as the liaison between MTA and federal, state and local transportation agencies, and other public and private transit operators, regulatory agencies,planning and development agencies on grant and federal funded project matters.
• Attends and participates in Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) technical committee meetings to assist in the development of Transportation Improvement Program, Regional Transportation Plan and other MPO documents.
• Research and identify relevant notices in the Federal Register and critique that notice for Grant Management staff use, as appropriate. Work with the Deputy Director of Funding Policy & Special Capital Grant Programs and staff to evaluate MTA funding levels as it relates to proposed annual transportation bills and legislation to understand its proposed impact to MTA’s financial situation
• Other duties as assigned.
• Complies with all policies and standards
• May be required to work hours outside regular work hours, as applicable
• Observes the work performed by contractors, as applicable
• Reviews invoices and approves them if the work has contractual standards, as applicable
• Addresses performance issues with the contractor when possible, as applicable
• Escalates issues to other parties when needed, as applicable

Required Qualifications:

Required Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• An equivalent combination of education from an accredited college and experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent organizational and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to interact with all internal levels within a given organization.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate with local, state, and federal agencies, which may include Federal Transit Administration, New York State Governor’s Office, New York City government elected and other public officials, as well as any staff located at other federal or state agencies or authorities.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a high-profile, high-pressure environment effectively. Must maintain productive relationships with federal partners while consistentlyrepresenting and advocating for the MTA’s interests in grant negotiations and compliance discussions.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with key internal and/or external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to complete short- and long-term projects effectively and as efficiently as possible.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite or comparable applications, i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Demonstrated analytical capabilities and quantitative skills.  Must independently validate financial and grant data against established benchmarks and control reports (e.g., quarterly reports, audited schedules) prior to submitting any figures to leadership or federal partners

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Arts/Sciences (BA/BS)in business, public administration, economics or finance or a related field from an accredited college or an equivalent combination of education from an accredited college and experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Minimum 6 years progressively responsible experience in budgeting and financial management, including experience with capital program management.
• Minimum 1-year experience with management information systems.
• Minimum 1-year public transportation planning, operations and financial management.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Master’s degree in Arts/Sciences (MA/MS)MBA/MPA degree in business, public administration, economics, finance or a related field.
• Knowledge of federal and state requirements pertinent of Federal grants.
• Knowledge of various organization structures at City, County, State and Federal level and the ability to participate effectively in committee structures and the ability to negotiate on funding and planning issues.
• Mass transit planning, operations and financing.
• Special knowledge of the various organizational structures at the City, State and Federal level and the personnel within each of these structures.
• Knowledge of the Transit Award Management System (“TrAMs”) or a comparable system.
• Familiarity with the MTA’s policies and procedures

Other Information

Pursuant to the New York State Public Officers Law & the MTA Code of Ethics, all employees who hold a policymaking position must file an Annual Statement of Financial

Disclosure (FDS) with the NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (the “Commission”).

Equal Employment Opportunity

MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including those concerning veteran status and individuals with disabilities.

The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.