Principal Funding Strategy Specialist (Project Manager II)

AC Transit
$138,892.00 - $165,869.00 Annually
medical insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, vision insurance, vacation time, paid holidays, sick time, pension
United States, California, Oakland
Nov 19, 2024
Summary AC Transit is seeking strong, experienced candidates for the Principal Funding Strategist in the Capital Planning department. This position will provide professional research, writing, financial and analytical, and project manager support to develop capital funding plans and projects and apply for and administer grants and funding-related plans and projects. This position will ensure District compliance with federal, state, and local rules, regulations, and other funding source requirements; and provide expert advice to various District departments. This position leads grant acquisition and writing efforts and large projects and develops strategies to advocate for and secure funding for a variety of District projects. The Principal Funding Strategist and PM is distinguished from the Senior Funding Strategy Specialist classification by the breadth and depth of knowledge and experience required and the level of responsibility across key functions of the Capital Planning and Grants Department as well as the Project Manager role of this position. Positions at this level are responsible for performing project management activities for highly complex planning projects. Incumbents at this level are expected to operate with a high degree of professional judgment and independence, providing technical and functional direction to professional, technical, and contract staff. This is an excellent opportunity to work for the largest bus agency in California. In addition to working with some of the best in the business, AC Transit also has an excellent benefits package that includes pension, medical, dental and vision coverage, flexible spending and a 457 savings plan. Representative Functions Performs capital planning and funding project management functions and activities and is responsible for the full lifecycle of funding strategies and capital planning projects, overseeing scope, timeline, budget, and quality standards from all the projects inception to completion. Reviews and recommends the approval of funding strategies and capital planning project proposals; coordinates design and planning services for assigned projects; and reviews design concepts for compliance. Researches sources of funding to meet District capital and operating needs and prepares succinct as well as in-depth analysis and reports on funding sources. Develop pathways and strategies to advocate for new funds Develops pipeline of major funding needs and grant-funding strategies to support District operational and capital needs, and analyzes complex technical, demographic, economic, and financial data used to document the need for project funding by grant sources, and to support applications for proposed grants. Develops and monitors standards of quality and ensures that standards of quality are met and are delivered are delivered in conformity with contractual obligations; manages changes in project scope; identifies and provides timely communication of potential crises and/or deviations from project timeline, budget or quality standards; proposes and evaluates solutions; devises and implements contingency plans. Develops and presents written and oral reports, and analyses on a wide variety of complex issues involved in regional transportation funding; including financial, legislative, and other related issues Prepares, reviews, and maintains a variety of project-related information and documentation, including project schedules, Statements of Work (SOWs), status reports, detailing issues, risks, and deliverables; monitors agreements and projects for compliance with relevant codes, ordinances, rules, and regulations. Performs feasibility studies of proposed opportunities and projects; ensures compliance with all applicable regulations and requirements; manage prioritization of proposals and grant application development Actively work on and support annual budget and capital budget development and administration Reviews analysis of federal, state, and regional laws, regulations, and processes and identifies potential impact on District operations. Conducts most complex analysis as needed. Administers and recommends improvements to the capital planning process, including the oversight and preparation of capital planning projects for specific funding programs, and the District's federal funding program; handles complex issues regarding capital planning process Writes and presents grant application reports; prepares capital and operational grant applications; anticipates and coordinates preparation of grant amendments and revisions. Speaks and acts on behalf of the Capital Planning and Grants department on project development, District committees, task forces and outside entities. Develops and maintains industry connections in regards to transit funding. Attends and participates in professional group meetings and committees; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of project management and areas to which assigned; stays abreast of federal, state, and local regulations and related to area of assignment to ensure the District's compliance. Coordinates with other grants staff, grants accounting, Accounts Payable, and Accounts Receivable to resolve issues Provides technical and functional direction to professional, technical, and contract staff and participates in the formation, planning, review, and management of assigned projects. Serves as SME and consultant for District projects in regards to funding options and provides expertise for obtaining funding and maximizing use of grants and funding Performs related duties, as required. Minimum Qualifications Education: A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in transportation planning, business administration, public administration, public policy, or a directly related field. A Master's degree in a related field is preferred. Experience: Six (6) years of experience in the professional field required by the assigned special projects or two (2) years that involved responsibilities at a level equivalent to the District's classification of Project Manager I. Additional years of experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year for year basis; (one (1) year of relevant experience may be submitted for one (1) year of education). Desirable Skills: Experience working directly on public sector capital budget development Experience with transportation capital funding processes and procedures used by federal, state and local governments Experience developing capital funding plans and budgets Experience successfully completing compelling grant applications Familiarity with capital project development Ability to develop and conduct complex financial analysis in a public sector environment Experience assessing and evaluating policy impacts Understanding of regional planning processes Ability to coordinate and supervise projects, analyze and solve problems Experience effectively dealing with peer and higher-level representatives of federal, state, and local governments Excellent oral, written, and presentation skills Additional Information Physical Requirements: Must maintain the physical condition necessary to perform tasks in an office setting operating a computer, keyboard, and other peripheral equipment; safely drive a District automobile; and walk, stand, and climb short distances in construction settings in order to inspect the progress of assigned projects. THIS POSITION IS AN UNREPRESENTED AT-WILL POSITION The Selection Process: The Human Resources department must receive a completed online application by the filling date. If this recruitment is "Continuous," it may be closed at any time without notice. Applications will be screened for job related qualifications, and those candidates who best meeting the qualifications listed on this Job Announcement will be invited to participate in an examination process that may include written, oral and/or performance segments. Current District employees must have satisfactory attendance and performance records. Finalists will be placed on an Eligibility List. When filling vacancies, the Human Resources Department will refer the top candidates to the hiring department for final screening and recommendation. Vaccination Requirement for Candidates Seeking Employment: Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District has implemented a requirement that requires all candidates for District employment to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, including variants, prior to being employed by the District, subject to limited exceptions. AC Transit adopted this vaccination policy as an emergency public health response to mitigate the negative public health consequences associated with increased incidence and test positivity rates and the prevalence of new virus variants, including increased hospitalizations, intensive care unit admissions, and deaths. As such, candidates seeking District employment will be required to: (1) be fully vaccinated (two weeks after completion of the entire recommended COVID-19 vaccination series) and (2) submit a copy of their COVID-19 vaccination card prior to their start date, unless a reasonable accommodation request for a medical or religious exemption has been approved. Benefits: The transit professionals who call AC Transit home represent the rich cultural diversity of the Bay Area. For more than 60 years, we have been an equal opportunity employer honoring religion, ethnic background, national origin, gender, gender expression, genetic information, disabilities, age, and veteran status. We are not only an inclusive employer but also offer a comprehensive benefits package rooted in choice, flexibility, and affordability. Most Benefits are effective the first of the month following your hire date. Employees and eligible dependents have access to the following benefits: Medical - Choice of two Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs): Kaiser Permanente and Health Net. $10.00 office visit co-pays; $5.00 - $35.00 prescription co-pays. Dental - MetLife Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) $50 annual deductible per person/$150 per family; $3,000 per person annual maximum; preventative care covered at 100%; basic and major care covered at 90%; $4,000 lifetime maximum orthodontia covered at 50%. Vision - Vision Service Plan - $10.00 copay; eligible for an exam, lenses, frames or contact lenses every 12 months - based on the last date of service. $200 frame allowance or $120 allowance for contact lenses. Employer paid Basic Life Insurance Employee paid Voluntary Term Life Insurance Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for Health Care, Dependent Care, Parking, Transit AC Transit contributes up to $50.00/month towards an employee's FSA Transit costs Free AC Transit Bus Pass Federal Credit Union Vacation and Sick Leave or Personal Time Off Ten (10) paid holidays; 2 paid floating holidays; 1 paid birthday holiday Tuition Reimbursement - up to $2500 per fiscal year on approved courses Wellness Program AC Transit benefits are negotiated and subject to change based on collective bargaining agreements. Pension: All AC Transit employees participate in a lifetime defined benefit pension. All employees hired on or after January 1, 2020, may be in the District's Tier II pension plan covered by the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA). As such, he/she may be required to contribute a small portion of annual income towards the cost of his/hers District pension. ADA Compliant and Drug Free Workplace: The Human Resources Department will make reasonable efforts in the recruitment/examination process to accommodate applicants with disabilities. If you have a need for an accommodation, please call Human Resources at (510) 891-4783. The Alameda Contra Costa Transit District has established the goal of a 100 percent drug and alcohol-free workplace. Applicants will be required to undergo drug and alcohol testing prior to employment and those in safety sensitive positions will be subject to further drug and alcohol testing through their period of employment, including random drug and alcohol testing. In accordance with federal requirements, all job applicants selected for appointments in a safety sensitive position are subject to pre-employment drug and alcohol testing. A final job applicant will be tested for five prohibited drugs: Cocaine, PCP, Amphetamines, Marijuana and Opiates. During employment, employees holding safety sensitive positions are subject to random, reasonable suspicion, post-accident, return-to-duty, and follow-up drug and alcohol testing. Additionally, in the event of an absence of more than 90 days from a safety sensitive position, pre-employment drug testing will be performed. Equal Opportunity Employer #IND1