Recruitment Type: Open to all applicants. Application review and interview selection process will begin after November 6, 2009.

Metro Transit, the largest provider of transit service in the seven-county metropolitan area of Minneapolis-St. Paul and one of the country's largest transit systems, has an opening for a Grants Manager. Metro Transit operates bus and light rail service essential to the region's mobility and provides resources for carpooling and bike commuting. In 2008, Metro Transit provided nearly 82 million rides on 118 bus routes utilizing a fleet of 900 buses and 27 light rail trains.

One of Metro Transit's biggest initiatives is the “Go Greener!” project. We are one of the leaders in the transit industry in the reduction of petro-fuel consumption via multiple alternative fuel technologies including hybrid electric propulsion.

The Grants Manager serves as the lead for application and compliance with federal government awards for the region. This includes grants management responsibility for the Metropolitan Council's transportation services throughout the seven counties. This encompasses Metro Transit, Metropolitan Transportation Services, suburban providers, and counties, cities and other local government agencies as needed.

The position is the primary contact with FTA staff to ensure funding follows federal guidelines. This position is responsible for identifying federal opportunities and seeking additional federal grants and working with groups of organizations to promote grant applications including work with competitive funding sources like Urban Partnership, Homeland Security, ARRA  and acts as a resource to sub recipient organizations seeking funding. The Manager also provides training and oversight to grantees and sub recipients to ensure grant compliance.

Metro Transit grants management program is responsible for managing $200 million annual grants dollars received. This includes Federal Transit Administration formula funding of approximately $60 million, special competitive grants and legislative earmarks increase that total by another $40 million and Major Capital Investment projects, estimated at $45 million to $80 million annually.

• Coordinates with various staff on capital funding planning and issues related to transit projects. This encompasses Council staff, Federal Staff, MnDOT, City, county and other various Urban Area organization staff and consultants. This position must coordinate the planned projects with the availability of federal FTA funding and assist with competitive non-FTA source grants to coordinate the approval of the application and award of these additional resources.

·         Oversees staff and provides guidance for grant application according to internal processes, local processes and federal processes. This includes coordination with State Transportation Improvement Program, Transportation Advisory Board Process, Council Capital Improvement Program and any additional award-specific requirements.

·         Manages application process including coordination and review of environmental documentation; interprets grant requirements and eligibility; manages preparation of documents for inclusion in applications according to requirements; is delegated authority by RA for submission of applications to granting agency on behalf of the Council. 

·         Oversees award receipt and establishment according to internal processes and in compliance with award regulations. This includes ongoing administration of award for required revisions, approvals and reports to the funding agency.  

·         Develops grant making processes and provide training in those processes to project staff. This includes development of internal procedures and forms for grant application and award setup, development of grants intranet; development and presentation of project manager training to Council and outside providers; ongoing training and development of additional tools and guidance material for project managers and ongoing development of processes to improve the flow of data that enables compliance with federal requirements. In addition, this position responds to requests from other outside organizations and FTA for assistance on various compliance issues and staff training discussions and promotes the Councils image in the federal grant area. 

·      Provides technical assistance to major capital investment projects like Hiawatha LRT, Northstar Commuter Rail, Central Corridor LRT and the potential Southwest Corridor. This position extends grants management administration to other transit organizations within the seven counties. This position provides technical oversight for all of the Council's transit capital grant-making activities and coordinates grant activity with the development of the Councils 6 year capital improvement plan.

·         Provides supervision of department, including providing input on hiring/disciplinary actions, work objectives and performance planning and evaluating.

·         Conducts audits and internal reviews of the grant administration program.  Works with the appropriate staff to develop a plan to correct the deficiency that will be acceptable to the funding source, the Council, and other stakeholders. 

  Education/Training & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree preferably in business administration/accounting or related field plus 5-8 or more years experience in grant analysis and administration and preparation of financial statements for governmental entities.
• Previous supervisory experience.   

Equivalency:
Additional years of progressively responsible experience may substitute for the bachelor's degree requirement on a year for year basis. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Knowledge of federal governmental rules, regulations and practices relating to transit grant and contract administration.
• Knowledge of governmental fund accounting.  
• Strong decision making ability regarding implementation of policies is required.
• Ability to negotiate sensitive issues and respond to stressful, high level interactions.
• Ability to apply fundamental concepts of theories, work with advanced operational methods and complex variables.
• Demonstrated experience designing complex spreadsheets at an advanced level. Ability to analyze and interpret financial data, determine trends, anticipate problems and errors, and recommend courses of actions.
• Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to present and communicate effectively in both verbal and written form. Excellent organizational, administrative and analytical skills. 

FLSA Status: Exempt

Assessment Process: Candidates will be referred to the hiring supervisor for consideration based on the results of the following:

• Training and Experience rating
• Oral Exam/Selection Interview

 Work Environment: Work is performed in a standard office setting. Ability to work at a computer workstation for extended periods of time. Some positions may require travel between primary work sites to other sites.

Physical Requirements: Regularly required to sit for long periods, stand/walk occasionally, speak, hear normal conversation and telephone ring tones, operate a computer and other office equipment. Required to reach with hands/arms occasionally below chest height and overhead, must occasionally lift/carry/push/pull up to 10 pounds, must have adequate close vision for reading and computer work.

All job offers are contingent upon successful completion of a pre-employment background check which includes verification of education, a criminal background check and a pre-employment drug screen. Metropolitan Council is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

The responsibilities listed are typical of the positions included in the job classification; however, not all duties are necessarily performed by each specific position or incumbent. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties of the position. Regular attendance is an essential responsibility.