General
The Principal Grants Analyst will report to the Director, Grants and Fund Management and may provide dedicated support to the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (Caltrain) related to the development of grant strategies for short and long-range projects and fund programming. Under general direction, the Principal Grants Analyst provides professional research, grant writing, as well as financial and strategic analyses, to develop funding for projects and plans. This position leads the development and maintenance of a robust grant funding program to support Caltrain operating and capital programs and projects and may participate in various local and regional fund programming forums.
Essential Functions & Duties
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: - Researches, analyzes, and develops sources of funding to meet District capital and operating needs and prepares succinct and in-depth analysis and reports on funding sources.
- Manages, reviews, writes, and presents capital planning and grant reports.
- Serves as Caltrain’s liaison with internal agency divisions and external funding partners regarding fund programming, application proposals, project monitoring and other grant-related issues.
- Prepares,writes and submits grant proposals/applications with minimal supervision.
- Performs project management functions and activities related to grant management and is responsible for the full lifecycle of grants including monitoring scope, timeline, budget, and quality standards from a grant-funded project’s inception to completion.
- Provides direction, and manages the capital planning process, including the oversight and preparation of capital planning documentation for specific funding programs.
- Ensures compliance and complete timely reporting or other administrative requirements for federal, state, regional, and local grants including responding to inquiries or compliance audits from federal, state, regional, and local funding agencies.
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES: - Prepares complex capital and operational grant applications.
- Provides analytical research on new funding opportunities and funding issues to support the District’s capital and operating needs.
- Monitors financial status of assigned projects and programs, including maintaining funding records and funding plans, collecting and updating project information, and identifying funding sources and grant opportunities or requesting and providing justifications for changes in secured grants.
- Coordinates with staff within the District, as well as federal, state, and regional funding agencies to meet requirements and secure grant funding agreements.
- Advocates for Caltrain in various transportation fund programming processes, including development of necessary agreements pertaining to the acquisition of funding.
- Establishes and maintains working relationships with funding partners and internal staff.
- Develops and presents written and oral reports in relation to the programming and receipt of grant funds.
- Performs all job duties and responsibilities in a safe manner to protect oneself, fellow employees, and the public from injury or harm. Promotes safety awareness and follows safety procedures to reduce or eliminate accidents.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
SUPERVISION : Works under the general supervision of the Director, Grants and Fund Management, who establishes goals and objectives, monitors and evaluates performance.
Minimum Qualifications
Sufficient experience, training and/or education to demonstrate the knowledge and ability to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. In lieu of a degree, work-related experience that demonstrates the skills and experience necessary to perform this role will be accepted. Development of the required knowledge and abilities is typically obtained through but not limited to:
- Bachelor’s degree in Transportation/Urban Planning, Business Administration, Public Policy, Economics and/or other related field.
- Four (4) years of full-time progressively responsible planning or project management experience providing professional level grant management, including analytical and budgetary support for projects .
- A graduate degree in a relevant field may be accepted in-lieu of one (1) year of required experience.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: - Knowledge of funding programs and experience in transportation/transit capital planning and fund programming is preferred.
- Knowledge of financial, statistical, and comparative analysis techniques.
- Knowledge of relevant Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations.
- Experience with life cycle of grant processing and/or management.
- Excellent written and oral communications skills.
- Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.
Additional Information
T he Selection Process May Include :
The process may include a panel interview and may include written and skills test assessments or supplemental questions . Only those candidates who are the most qualified will continue in the selection process . Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an invitation to continue in the process .
Current Employment Benefits a t Samtrans :
For additional information on SamTrans benefits, please visit, https://www.samtrans.com/jobs
Holidays: Seven (7) paid holidays, plus up to four (4) floating holidays per year
Paid Time Off: Up to 26 days per year
Cafeteria Plans: Medical, dental, vision care, group life insurance and more
Transportation: Free Bus Transportation for employees and qualified dependents
Work Location: Select positions are eligible to work remote up to 50% of the time
Pension: Social Security and California Public Employees Retirement Systems (CalPERS)
Classic Members - 2% @ 60 benefit formula, 3 year average of highest compensation
New Members - 2% @ 62 benefit formula, 3 year average of highest compensation
How t o Apply:
- Complete an online employment application by 11:59 p.m. o f the listed closing date . A resume will not be accepted in lieu of the application . Incomplete applications will not be considered.
- The Human Resources Department will make reasonable efforts in the recruitment/examination process to accommodate applicants with disabilities upon request . If you have a need for an accommodation, please contact the Human Resources Departmen t at recruitment@samtrans.com .
- SamTrans celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming workplace environment . We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer . Minorities, Women, Persons with Disabilities and Veterans are encouraged to apply.
Below is a summary of the comprehensive benefits provided to District full-time employees:
Health and Welfare Benefits:
- Healthcare Benefits -District employees are offered a choice of healthcare providers under the CalPERS Health Benefits Program.The District will contribute ninety (90) percent towards monthly premiums for full-time employees. Fifty (50) percent for part-time employees.
- Free Dental and Vision Benefits provided - Employer Covers Premiums
- Free Employee Assistance Benefit - Employees are entitled to 5 face-to-face sessions or telephonic or web-video consultations for problem-solving support per incident, per calendar year.
- Flexible Spending Accounts - Pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified Health or Dependent Care expenses.
Retirement Medical Benefits:
- Long Term Disability Insurance - After 90 days of total disability, Administrative full-time employees are eligible for 60% of monthly income covered by the District.
- Health and Wellness - Gyms located at most work locations and discounted Weight Watcher Membership Option.
Holidays and Paid Time Off:
- Paid Time Off - Newly hired employees accrue 6.5 hours bi-weekly when hired (if Exempt 8.5 hours).As you move up in years of service credit, the rate of the amount of PTO accrued will also increase.
- Paid Holidays - The District provides seven paid holidays throughout the year - New Years Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day (July 4th), Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day
- Floating Holidays - District employees can earn up to five (5) floating holidays.
Financial Planning Benefits:
- Pension Benefits through CalPERS -You must have a minimum of 5 years of service to be eligible for this pension.
- CalPERS PEPRA vs. Classic - All employees hired on, or after January 1, 2013, are considered PEPRA members and will contribute 8% of their salary up to the maximum IRS cut-off. All Classic members will contribute 6%
- Deferred Compensation Options - Select to contribute to one or both of our Tax Deferred Compensation Options
- Reliance Standard Life Insurance with 100% premium paid by the District - 1 times annual salary of employee - max $200,000
- Optional Life Insurance - Employees may purchase additional life insurance for themselves and their eligible family members.
Growth and Education Benefits:
- Professional Development - Access to LinkedIn Learning and San Mateo County’s professional training. District Tuition Reimbursement Program - A maximum of $5,250 per year for courses related to your job or career goals with the District.
- Computer Loan Program - Interest-free two-year loan with a maximum amount of $4,000.
Other Amazing Benefits:
- Credit Union - Employees and family members are eligible to join the San Mateo Credit Union and Patelco Credit Union.
- Employee Clean Commute (ECC) - Car/Van poolers and Public Transit riders receive a monthly reimbursement.
- Commuter Benefits - Free Employee Parking; Free Bus Pass for employee as well as children/spouse; Clipper Card/Go Pass Program for Central employees.
For union employees, all of the above benefits are subject to the employee’s Collective Bargaining Agreement. Benefits listed are also subject to change with or without notice and are subject to contract/provider terms and conditions.
Closing Date/Time: 5/19/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
