Under supervision of the Section Director and Senior Planner/Analyst, this position is responsible for managing funding programs, working with transit operators and other stakeholders to develop and implement the programs; conducting financial analyses of transportation revenues and expenses; and producing and presenting progress reports and recommendations about the region’s transportation program as necessary.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: Completion of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, as listed in the Higher Education Directory, such as public finance, public policy, public administration, business, civil engineering, or city planning, or a related discipline. (Applicants with a degree issued from an institution outside the United States must have their transcripts evaluated by an academic accrediting service and provide proof of equivalency along with the application.)

Experience: Completion of one year of professional experience in an appropriate field related to the area of assignment, such as transportation programming or planning, urban planning, project management, engineering, financial management, economics, business or public administration, public finance, budgeting, grants management, or a related field. Experience interacting with government agencies is a plus. (One year of graduate work in a discipline directly related to the position may be substituted for job experience.) Additional professional work experience is preferred.

Knowledge of: Principles and techniques of public transportation project funding; and knowledge of government transportation programs, projects and project development, and funding procedures. Proficiency in Excel spreadsheet software is required.

Ability to: Communicate very effectively both orally and in writing. Represent the agency before professional and policy groups. Present results of analyses before MTC Committees and other public entities. Work effectively with a diverse group of staff and stakeholders as part of a team, as well as pay attention to detail and ensure accuracy in database files and funding documents. Conduct spreadsheet analyses. Design and maintain reports of project funding information. Accurately track and monitor project and program funding, and develop and maintain strong and positive working relationships with key staff at various agencies and related organizations. Creatively solve problems, take personal initiative, and carry out assignments with a minimum of supervision.

TYPICAL ASSIGNMENTS:

Under the supervision and direction of a Senior Planner/Analyst and the Section Director, the Planner/Analyst will serve as program manager for a variety of federal and state transportation programs, including funds that assist transportation disadvantaged populations, and on management of regional transit assets. This position will work closely with the project sponsors, which may include public agencies and private non-profit agencies, and with other MTC staff to manage these programs from beginning to end: identifying available funding; reviewing and understanding legislation and guidance documents; issuing calls for projects and reviewing applications; developing annual programs; managing contracts, grants, or funding agreements; and monitoring project progress and expenditure of funds.

Specific assignments and responsibilities include:

Administer and continuously improve all aspects of the funding programs, developing guidelines, conducting calls for projects, managing contracts, monitoring project progress, tracking fund allocations and expenditures, identifying and resolving issues.
Work with federal and state agencies to understand and serve as MTC liaison to the various transportation funding programs, such as the Federal New Freedom, Job Access for Reverse Commute (JARC), and Elderly and Disabled Transportation (Section 5310) programs; and the California State Transit Assistance program. Identify connections and opportunities for synergies between the various programs.
Assist as needed with other transit grant programs, covering areas such as transit expansion and maintenance. Work with staff and transit operators to understand the region’s needs for maintaining and upgrading the transit infrastructure, and help plan for achieving a state of good repair.
Develop MTC’s Lifeline Transportation Program for low-income residents of the Bay Area, including fund projections, project eligibility, and program guidelines. As part of a team, monitor projects, ensure compliance with grant requirements, carry out program administration, and make recommendations to improve it.
Sustain MTC involvement with project sponsors and stay current with project developments. Brief senior and executive staff on changes and issues that affect the programs.
Prepare and present materials for Commission consideration including program development/project selection, periodic progress reports, and other special topics as needed. Follow agency standards for Commission materials, and work cooperatively with project sponsors and MTC staff to ensure that materials are timely, accurate, and professional.
Serve as an expert resource to the agency and partners on the programs.
Perform other activities as assigned to the Programming and Allocations Section.

INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS:

Submit an MTC application (PDF), and a current resume to Human Resources Office, Metropolitan Transportation Commission, 101 Eighth Street, Oakland, CA 94607. Applications not submitted, or submitted without all of the required materials will not be given further consideration. Application materials must be received no later than 5:00 p.m., Thursday, September 25, 2008. Faxed/emailed applications will not be accepted.

To receive a full job description and an application form, contact MTC at the Job Hotline, (510) 817-5818, or email jobhotline@mtc.ca.gov. Leave your contact information and indicate which job announcement you are requesting. Applications can also be downloaded (PDF). Applications not submitted on MTC forms or not including all required materials will not be considered.

EMPLOYEE SELECTION PROCESS:

This Job Announcement sets a cut-off date and time for the receipt of applications. Applications will be reviewed as promptly as possible following the cut-off date. Those candidates whose applications show the best combination of training, experience, knowledge, and ability relevant to the position will be invited for an interview.

Interviews will be conducted by a panel whose members are acquainted with the requirements of the position. At the conclusion of the interviews, the panel will rate the candidates. The Executive Director may offer the position to the best-qualified candidate.

After the position has been offered and accepted, all other applicants will be notified promptly of the filling of the position. As appropriate, the panel may recommend which of the candidates interviewed but not selected may constitute an "eligibility" list, which will remain in effect for six months. In the event the same or very similar position becomes available during that period, the list may be used for further selection.

In the event that a suitable candidate is not found, the position will be reopened for further recruitment.

INTRODUCTORY PERIOD:

The initial six months of service in this position constitute a probation period. The purpose of probation is to assist the employee in adapting to the new job, to evaluate the employee’s performance relative to continuation in the position, and to provide for corrective measures when performance is deficient.

SALARY SCHEDULE:

MTC staff employees are paid on the basis of an adopted salary schedule. The cited grade for this position consists of a total of eleven steps with intervals of approximately 2½% available for merit progression.

THE FOLLOWING ARE AMONG THE BENEFITS OFFERED TO MTC EMPLOYEES:

One day per month paid vacation leave; for each year of service, an additional day per year is granted to a maximum of 25 days per year.
One day per month paid sick leave, with no limit to the amount of sick leave that can be accumulated. (May cash out up to 240 hours of accumulated sick leave upon separation from the Agency.)
Eleven paid holidays per year.
Personal business leave; up to three days per year depending upon date of hire.
Public Employees Retirement System (PERS); employee contributes a portion of gross salary on a pre-tax basis.
Health Benefits Insurance through the Public Employees’ Retirement System (100% MTC-paid employee and dependent coverage, depending on health plan selected).
Agency-paid Dental Insurance (dependent coverage shared by the employee and MTC).
Agency-paid Vision Care Insurance, employees only (no dependent coverage).
Agency-paid Life, AD&D, and Long Term Disability Insurance.
Monthly Transit/Parking Subsidy.
Alternative payroll savings plans (tax-deferred deferred compensation plans, two credit unions).

ADVISORIES

QUALIFICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT IN THE UNITED STATES:

The selected candidate will be required to provide verification of his/her identity and evidence of having legal authorization to work in the United States prior to beginning employment. The selected candidate must maintain his/her employment eligibility status and will be responsible for notifying MTC of any changes.

BACKGROUND CHECKS:

MTC conducts background checks to verify information included in the candidate’s application, resume and supplemental materials.

CALIFORNIA DRIVER’S LICENSE:

A valid California Driver’s License is required, as MTC employees may be expected to operate an automobile in the performance of assigned duties. Exceptions to this policy will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to accommodate special needs.

MTC IS AN EEO/AA EMPLOYER:

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission is a non-discriminatory employer. MTC provides all employees and applicants with an equal opportunity in every aspect of the employment experience regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical handicap, medical condition, or marital status. This policy is implemented through an ongoing affirmative action program to ensure maximum opportunity to participate in the Commission's programs.

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission is a regional transportation-planning agency created by the legislature pursuant to Government Code Sections 66500 et seq. to provide coordinated transportation development for the nine-county Bay Area.