Job Description

The Transportation Grants Coordinator position will support the development and implementation of the City’s transportation funding and grant strategy. The position will serve as a core member of a team charged with making Philadelphia’s transportation system more resilient, sustainable, and equitable over the coming years. The candidate will primarily support two interrelated functions in grant and project development as well as long-range planning.

The first function involves tracking and monitoring funding opportunities and matching those with the City’s long-range capital infrastructure needs. This will include tracking unfunded projects and updating existing projects as well as coordinating with internal partners to streamline and consolidate the project development process.

The second function involves developing and preparing grant proposals as well as tracking submitted proposals. The candidate will work closely with OTIS staff and staff within departments represented by OTIS to prepare grant proposals to secure funding for a variety of infrastructure projects. US DOT-administered discretionary grant programs and related formula grant programs funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) will be an important focus. The candidate may also help support post-award activities such as grant administration, management, reporting, compliance, and closeout.

Successful candidates will understand the importance of strategic thinking in setting funding priorities, combined with a methodological and analytical approach to identifying, tracking, and complying with funding requirements. The Transportation Grants Coordinator will need strong written, verbal, and presentation skills to communicate grant program goals, rules, and requirements.

Essential Functions

Coordinate with OTIS senior leadership, OTIS staff, Streets Department, and other departments to prepare grant proposals and secure funding for transportation-related projects. ****

• Identify funding opportunities offered by government agencies, foundations, and corporations to meet the strategic, financial, and operational transportation needs of OTIS and the Streets Department.
• Navigate and understand applicable federal and state rules and regulations governing grant awards.
• Submit grant applications on behalf of OTIS and the Streets Department.
• Support project staff in grant preparation and reporting.
• 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 other applicable entities.
• 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 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 OTIS and Streets Department staff to manage grants from award to closeout. ****

• Provide training to new staff on grants management and reporting requirements.
• Work with OTIS and the Streets Department to identify and develop strategies that prioritize projects to optimize the grants administration process.
• 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.
• 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.

Catalog and track grant applications; evaluate application results. ****

• Maintain a library of grant program guidelines, a catalog of grant applications, and track and 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. Possesses 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.

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.

Qualifications

Qualifications (Education and Experience)

• 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.
• 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: $67,000 - $85,000

Discover the Perks of Being a City of Philadelphia Employee:

• 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
• Pay off your student loans faster - As a qualifying employer, City of Philadelphia employees are eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Join the ranks of hundreds of employees who have already benefited from this program and achieved student loan forgiveness.
• Enjoy a Free Commute on SEPTA - Starting September 1, 2023 , eligible City employees will no longer have to worry about paying for SEPTA public transportation. Whether you're a full-time, part-time, or provisional employee, you can seize the opportunity to sign up for the SEPTA Key Advantage Program and receive free Key cards for free rides on SEPTA buses, trains, trolleys, and regional rails.
• Unlock Tuition Discounts and Scholarships - The City of Philadelphia has forged partnerships with over a dozen esteemed colleges and universities in the area, ensuring that our employees have access to a wide range of tuition discounts and scholarships. Experience savings of 10% to 40% on your educational expenses, extending not only to City employees but in some cases, spouse and dependents too!

Join the City of Philadelphia team today and seize these incredible benefits designed to enhance your financial well-being and personal growth!

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

Effective May 22, 2023, vaccinations are no longer required for new employees that work in non-medical, non-emergency or patient facing positions with the City of Philadelphia. As a result, only employees in positions providing services that are patient-facing medical care (ex: Nurses, doctors, emergency medical personnel), must be fully vaccinated.

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 faqpchr@phila.gov.

For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx