Grants & Regulatory Compliance Specialist - 0624

Job Summary

Under general direction and in compliance with standard operating procedures and policies, prepares, submits, and manages all state and federal transit formula funding grant opportunities. Identifies competitive grant opportunities that align with Greenlink's goals and objectives. Writes and edits competitive grant applications for accuracy, completeness, clarity, and adherence to grant requirements. Develops, tracks, and submits federal and state formula funds requests in a timely manner. Coordinates with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to resolve issues with grant applications, obtain funding approvals, and prepare grant Milestone Progress Reports (MPRs). Prepares and submits budget revisions, amendments, and closeout amendments, as needed. Serves as subject matter expert on grants-related FTA circulars. Administers Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program and serves as DBE Liaison Officer. Presents oral staff reports to the Greenville Transit Authority (GTA) Board of Directors and public. Remains proficient with new technologies related to public transportation. Reviews and submits GTA Board invoices. Serves as the department's subject matter expert on GTA's procurement policy and ensures GTA is in compliance with all FTA procurement requirements.

Essential Functions

Essential Functions

  % of Time

• Prepare, Submit, and Manage Formula Transit and Competitive Funding: In compliance with FTA Circular 5010.1E, Chapter VI, serve as an integral part of GTA's internal controls system to ensure proper management of federal assistance funding. Identify competitive grant opportunities that align with Greenlink's goals and objectives. Write and edit competitive grant applications for accuracy, completeness, clarity, and adherence to grant requirements. Develop detailed project narratives including grant funding budgets, project milestones and projected implementation and completion schedules for competitive grant applications. Coordinate and administer activities relating to the development and monitoring of compliance for all grant funding. Work collaboratively with a variety of Greenlink staff and stakeholders to obtain all required information for grant submission. Develop, track, and submit federal and state formula funds (State Mass Transit Fund, SMTF) requests in a timely manner. Coordinate with the FTA to resolve issues with grant applications, obtain funding approvals, and prepare grant MPRs. Complete post-award grant administration, obligation, and reconciliation. Coordinate with the City's Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and Senior Financial Analyst on receipt, disbursement, and accounting of funds to be paid via grant funding. During preparation of the annual budget, work with OMB to ensure formula funds are applied for in the most financially beneficial way to ensure the provision of public transit service. Control expenditures on grants, overseeing and evaluating grant usage and developing methods to transfer money within grants to insure full utilization of FTA money. As directed, develop, prepare, and submit grant revision amendments, budget amendments, budget revisions, and closeouts to FTA and South Carolina Department of Transportation. Maintain data metrics to inform cost effectiveness and efficient use of grant funds. Accurately report out on formula and competitive grant milestones. Submit quarterly and annual MPRs for all open grants, which include narrative details explaining project progress during the reporting period or reason for grant inactivity, and monthly capital project reports to FTA. Respond to grants-related requests for information from FTA. Provide grant reviews and reporting updates, as required. Assist with competitive grant applications, as needed. Develop, maintain, and ensure grant tracking spreadsheets are accurate and up-to-date.

50%

• Ensure Regulatory Compliance: Serve as subject matter expert on grant-related FTA circulars. Monitor FTA's policies and procedures via the Federal Register. Ensure Greenlink staff is up to date on proposed and pending changes that may affect the provision of service and reporting. Coordinate with Greenlink staff to develop and submit relevant feedback to FTA (and other regulatory agencies) on proposed changes. Coordinate Certifications and Assurances for GTA Board review and approval; ensure GTA's compliance with Certifications and Assurances is up to date in the Transit Award Management System (TrAMS). As needed support Greenlink staff in gathering necessary reporting information. Assist with ongoing triennial review compliance. Review federal and state required documentation/reports and provide technical assistance and guidance to ensure completeness and compliance with federal requirements.

20%

• Develop & Administer DBE program: Serve as the DBE liaison. Administer DBE program as outlined in GTA's approved DBE program. Work closely with OMB staff to submit semi-annual DBE reports. Conduct quarterly internal compliance reviews and implement updates to ensure continued compliance with DBE program requirements. Coordinate with Greenlink staff to update GTA's DBE program in compliance with federal guidance. Conduct DBE outreach. Develop and provide internal staff training in alignment with GTA's DBE program. Update DBE-related monitoring forms, as needed. Ensure all DBE-related monitoring forms are compiled and filed prior to payment of funding to vendors. Maintain up to date on DBE compliance rules and regulations, attending relevant trainings, as needed.

15%

• Perform Reporting & Administrative Tasks: Review GTA Board Invoices and code with appropriate grant and associated line item (ALI) before sending to OMB for payment. Assist in completing National Transit Database (NTD) reporting. Maintain GTA's Procurement Policy; serve as the department's subject matter expert on GTA's procurement policy and ensure GTA is in compliance with all FTA procurement requirements.

15%

Perform other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in communications, English, public administration, business/finance, engineering, journalism or a related field.

• Over two (2) years up to and including four (4) years of experience in grant management, grant writing, and regulatory compliance. Will consider any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience, which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for the job.

Preferred Qualifications

• Over one (1) year of experience with a grant management software and/or system.

• Over two (2) years' experience related to federal discretionary grants management non-profit or for-profit financial management, and regulatory compliance monitoring and oversight.

• Over one (1) year of experience aggregating, analyzing, charting, graphing, and reporting on and presenting data gathered from multiple sources.

• Over one (1) year of experience in procurement oversight.

Driver's License Requirements

• Valid South Carolina Class D Driver's License.

Performance Requirements

Knowledge of:

• Federal and state transportation funding programs, regulations, and processes.

• Grants management regulations and software systems.

• Financial management concepts, principles, and practices.

• FTA publications, including federal registers with proficiency in scope change requirements and grant management information systems.

• Regulations regarding grant proposal and application procedures, funding eligibility guidelines, formula v. discretionary funds, and the transfer of funds between projects.

• General accounting principles and practices.

• Financial and auditing principles and practices.

• Principles and practices of DBE programs.

• Local, state, and federal transit laws, regulations, circulars, and policies in order to comprehend grant requirements, conduct internal reviews, and update required documents.

• Program analysis, cost/benefit evaluation, budget preparation, capital and financial forecasting techniques, project management and project control.

• FTA Section 5303, 5307, 5310, and 5339 program requirements.

Ability to:

• Understand, interpret, explain, and apply local, regional, state and federal law, regulations, policies, procedures and standards as well as City policies and procedures.

• Write, procure, and manage grants.

• Create a program plan for managing Greenlink's grants and track progress from award to grant close-out.

• Ensure proper management of federal assistance funding.

• Control expenditures on grants, oversee and evaluate grant usage.

• Prepare budget forecasts/project budgets and projections of revenues and expenditures plans for planning/grant projects. Assist in budget preparation.

• Serve as subject matter expert on grant-related FTA circulars.

• Administer DBE program.

• Maintain excellent organization and attention to detail.

• Manage multiple projects and perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines.

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, and the general public.

• Organize, set priorities, and meet deadlines.

• Work independently and in a team-oriented environment.

• Communicate clearly and effectively, orally and in writing.

• Present ideas and requirements clearly and persuasively, orally and in writing, to diverse, internal and external technical and non-technical audiences.

• Create clear and compelling presentations and graphics in PowerPoint and/or graphics editing software.

• Read, analyze, and interpret financial data, general business periodicals, professional journals, technical journals and procedures, financial reports, contracts, and governmental regulations.

• Write reports, prepare business letters, summarize meeting minutes, and compose emails in a clear and professional manner.

• Make mathematical calculations and draw logical conclusions; work with fractions, percentages, ratios/proportions and measurements.

• Operate general office equipment to include scanner, printer, copier, telephone, and computer with Microsoft Office Suite.

• Utilize specialized software and systems including grants management software.

Working Conditions

Primary Work Location:  Office environment.

Protective Equipment Required:  None.

Environmental/Health and Safety Factors:

Relatively free from unpleasant environmental conditions or hazards.

Physical Demands:

Continuously requires fine dexterity, sitting, handling, and vision. Occasionally requires hearing, twisting, and talking. Sedentary strength demands include exerting up to 10 pounds occasionally or negligible weights frequently; sitting most of the time.

Mental Demands:

Frequently requires time pressures, frequent change of tasks, performing multiple tasks simultaneously, working closely with others as part of a team, and tedious or exacting work. Occasionally requires emergency situations, irregular schedule/overtime, and noisy/distracting environment.

Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance

The City of Greenville is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. Prospective and current employees should contact Human Resources to request an ADA accommodation.

Disclaimer

The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.