SDOT's Finance team is looking for an experienced, team-oriented Grants Compliance Advisor (Strategic Advisor 2). The position will report directly to the Finance Manager and will support SDOT's application, management, and compliance of grants with a specific emphasis on the Federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA).
This advisor will coordinate development, execution, and monitoring of grant agreements with a wide variety of regional, state, and federal agencies. They will also coordinate with the City Budget Office, Finance and Administrative Services Department, and management within SDOT to ensure proper management of City funds used as match to these grants. You will work alongside a strong team of experienced professionals who are committed to progressing SDOT's vision and mission!
Job Responsibilities
- Advises the Finance Manager and other key stakeholders on the Federal IIJA and support SDOT's application and management of any grant awards stemming from the IIJA.
- Oversees day-to-day transportation grant administrative functions for the City of Seattle; administering multiple, complex grant agreements, amendments, budget revisions; establishing and maintaining grant administrative procedures and processes for the City and advising department management and City officials on transportation grant requirements.
- Oversees integration of agency-wide grant administrative procedures across all SDOT divisions and other departments using transportation grant funds.
- Develops reporting systems on grant activity, including monitoring grant scope, spending activity, timeline and drawdown.
- Analyzes project, grant, and financial data to confirm funds are properly controlled and accounted for; analyzes trends, variances, and anomalies and recommend corrections, amendments, or transfers when needed.
- Ensures compliance with federal, state and local rules, regulations and other funding source requirements; analyzes local, regional, state and federal transportation policies and regulations; identifies problems and potential solutions; recommends policy changes that benefit the department and support the City's goals.
- Represents and act on behalf of the Department in local, regional and state decision-making forums where grant requirements are determined; solicits cooperation and support of other local, regional, state, and federal officials.
- Prepares, negotiates, and monitors complex inter-agency agreements and participate in consultant selection and oversight to ensure conformance with grant and other external agency requirements. Serves as technical expert for agency in federal and state regulations and funding processes; provides technical support or guidance to staff and/or department personnel and other departments or agencies.
- Assists grant development staff in grant strategy identification and in preparation of grant proposals.
- Briefs and delivers presentations to department and executive management, elected officials, the public, and granting agencies; provide information for various public engagement activities.
- Coaches, trains, and motivates staff in a matrix-management environment; providing direction and advice to project and program management staff.
- Supports department goals in promoting diversity and social justice.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
Education:
- Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Business Administration, Accounting, or related field that includes formal coursework in accounting and finance fundamentals.
Experience:
- Five (5) years of progressively responsible grant and financial management work experience; that includes four years of transportation or public works projects with both capital and operating grants. Three years of experience working with transportation grant agencies and elected officials.
OR: An equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the position duties. Though not requirements, strong candidates will have some of the following experience or are able to describe comparable experience:
- MBA or MPA desirable.
- Three (3) years of experience in development of funding plans for major transportation/transit corridor projects at a local or regional transportation agency, including advocacy for funding proposals at the regional, state, and federal level; experience in regional and metropolitan planning processes and with regional and state transportation improvement programs.
- Experience administering state and federal transportation grants and funding agreements, including compliance with state and federal requirements.
- Three (3) years of experience briefing and making recommendations to senior management, elected officials, and representatives of other public agencies; communication skills (written and oral) that are effective and persuasive with a wide diversity of people; ability to serve as spokesperson for SDOT's funding proposals; superior writing skills, including grant writing experience.
- Experience servicing as representative of agency on multi-agency committees and leading staff teams.
- Demonstrated ability to independently set workload priorities; plan, direct, coordinate and review the work of assigned team members; work with demanding and competing deadlines; and, supervisory experience.
- Good judgement and demonstrated ability to handle sensitive issues with diplomacy and poise, and the ability to gain management confidence.
- Professional accreditation as a CPA or grants management specialist.
- Ability to use word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, database and analysis software to prepare reports, track and administer funding proposals, and develop briefing materials.
Other Requirements:
Work Environment / Physical Demands:
- Work is typically performed in a hybrid work environment in which a minimum of 2 days of the work is completed in a City office, and 3 days of the work is completed remotely in a regular work week.
APPLY HERE------------------------------
Ryan Jones
Recruiter
Seattle Dept. of Transportation
Seattle WA
------------------------------