Manager, Grant Applications

The final salary will depend on the candidate's qualifications. Those with 8 years or more of required experience can expect offers up to the midpoint of the salary range. Metra provides full pay ranges so candidates can consider their growth potential.

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Qualified veterans who meet the minimum requirements will receive outreach during the recruitment process in accordance with Federal and State laws, including the Illinois Veterans Preference Act. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an interview or job offer. The most qualified candidate will be selected.

Metra is one of the largest and most complex commuter rail systems in North America, serving Cook, DuPage, Will, Lake, Kane, and McHenry Counties. The agency is linking communities in Northeastern Illinois by providing safe, reliable, and efficient commuter service.

Grant Management & Corporate Quality Assurance is divided into three primary sections: Grant Administration, Project Implementation, and Corporate Quality Assurance. Grand Administration includes the Grant Applications and Grant Reimbursement teams. Grant Applications coordinates program-level information for each project and submits applications for capital, operating, and demonstration grants to appropriate funding agencies. Grant Reimbursement requests reimbursement from funding agencies for capital expenditures, closes out capital project grants, performs monthly and annual reconciliations of reimbursements to capital expenditures, and provides information for audits and funding agency review. Project Implementation administers approved project budgets, scopes, and schedules, obligates funding for contracts, provides financial oversight and reports project progress to the funding agencies. Corporate Quality Assurance administers Metra's Quality Assurance oversight program to ensure compliance with the Federal Transit Administration's Quality Management System and to identify opportunities for continuous improvement.

Reporting to the Director of Grant Administration, the Manager of Grant Applications oversees a team of Grant Analysts responsible for the full life-cycle of grant management. This includes the preparation and submission of federal, state, and local grant applications; requests for amendments; review and editing of grant agreements and the preparation of statutorily required reports to grantor agencies.

Acting as a liaison to grantor agencies and other external entities, the Manager serves as a subject matter expert on regulatory compliance, ensuring that projects are implemented in accordance with federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and best practices, including the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA).

The primary duties include: Manage an assigned team responsible for developing, enhancing, and administering grant and fixed asset accounting processes; balance workload with available resources; review and evaluate performance; contribute to the development and implementation of departmental policies, guidance documents, and planning efforts that improve efficiency; and monitor team's adherence to operational procedures. Review grant applications for completeness, accuracy, and to ensure they meet award requirements; prepare correspondence, monthly, quarterly, and annual reports to funding agencies; and ensure applications are submitted to appropriate funding agencies. Coordinate with members of the Grants Department, Capital Programming Department, and the Metra NEPA team to ensure capital needs are balanced, funds are appropriately allocated based on need and funding source availability, and all grant-funded projects receive the necessary NEPA clearance prior to grant award and construction implementation. Track and monitor the agency's position in funding apportionments and allocations for use in current and future grant applications; and provide ongoing interaction with, and an additional level of technical assistance to, grantor agencies, and externals stakeholders. Monitor the analysis of annual capital program details, quarterly amendments, and the assignment of funding sources; and manage the preparation of the annual program of projects publication for compliance with the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) Triennial Review. Approve time off, coordinate staff schedules, fill vacancies as necessary, and ensure compliance with departmental and company policies and objectives. Decide/implement staffing decisions, performance evaluations, and performance improvement, disciplinary, and/or termination procedures. Make recommendations regarding hiring, performance evaluations, disciplinary and/or termination procedures. Perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Metra is a railroad employer subject to the provisions of the Railroad Retirement Tax Act, not the Social Security Administration.

1. Must possess a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Transportation Planning, Urban Planning OR in lieu of specified degree, any combination of education and experience may be substituted for the required degree that equals four (4) years in grant development, administration, or implementation. Master degree preferred.
2. In addition to #1, must have five (5) years of experience in federal grant administration, government finance, or grant development, preferably in the railroad or transportation industry.
3. Must have two (2) years of supervisory experience.
4. Knowledge of state and federal grants administration duties, practices and techniques.
5. Knowledge of capital program, grant development, and implementation processes
6. Knowledge of grant-related statutes and regulations (e.g. Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, Title 40 CFR * 1508.1 NEPA Review Process, the FTA Circular 5010.1E Award Management Requirements and 9050.1A Urbanized Area Formula Program).
7. Knowledge of financial accounting systems such as an enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.
8. Proficient in Microsoft 365 (Excel, Word, Access, PowerPoint).
9. Excellent interpersonal skills with effective written and verbal communication skills.
10. Ability to organize, analyze, interpret, and explain the significance of various aspects of grant application processes.
11. Ability to think critically to solve problems, multi-task, set priorities, and meet strict deadlines to keep multiple projects on track.
12. Ability to interpret, apply, and project possibilities and alternatives to various situations and potential services as presented by grant-related regulations.
13. Ability to identify and resolve problems of moderate complexity and determine the impact of laws and regulations; and manage conflict.
14. Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
15. Must be willing to travel within Metra's 6-county region.

Preferred

1. Experience in capital projects, preferably in the railroad or transportation industry.

Metra employees in an active review period under the current discipline policy or who have documented attendance or performance issues will not be considered and/or selected for this position.

Please note: Regardless of any state laws that legalize marijuana, Metra prohibits applicants and employees' use or possession of marijuana (or marijuana paraphernalia), or having detectable amounts of marijuana in their bodies, including synthetic and/or non-synthetic substances such as THC for any reason for preemployment screening purposes, while on duty, subject to duty, on Metra property, or in Metra work equipment and vehicles.

Metra is committed to ensuring that our career website and recruiting process are accessible to all individuals. If you encounter difficulties or limitations in using or accessing our online application, or if you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, participate in interviews, complete any pre-employment testing, or engage in any other aspect of the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to RAC@Metrarr.com.

Metra is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. It is our policy to fill vacant positions with qualified candidates without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, gender identity, disability, or any protected categories, assuming an individual can perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation.