Principal and Senior Grants Analyst Opportunities

The San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans) is currently hiring for either a Principal Grants Analyst or a Senior Grants Analyst. These positions will support SamTrans, the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (Caltrain), and the Transportation Authority (TA) by performing professional-level work in grant management, fund programming, and financial analysis for both capital and operating programs.

Both positions will report to the Manager, Grants and Fund Programming and will be responsible for identifying and securing funding opportunities, preparing and submitting grant applications, and monitoring the financial status of grant-funded projects. The selected candidates will also ensure compliance with federal, state, and regional funding regulations and collaborate with internal divisions and external funding partners.

Depending on qualifications and experience, candidates may be considered for either the Principal or Senior Grants Analyst role. 

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Principal Grants Analyst:

• Lead the research, analysis, and development of funding strategies to support the District’s long-term capital and operating needs.
• Oversee the preparation, writing, and submission of complex grant applications to federal, state, and regional funding agencies.
• Serve as the District’s primary liaison with internal divisions and external funding partners, advocating for the District in fund programming forums.
• Provide direction and oversight of the capital planning process, ensuring that capital planning documentation is aligned with funding programs.
• Manage the full lifecycle of grant-funded projects, including compliance with scope, timeline, budget, and reporting requirements.

Senior Grants Analyst:

• Analyze project budgets and financial information to determine both short-term and long-term grant and funding needs.
• Assist with the preparation and submission of grant applications, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations.
• Coordinate with internal staff and external agencies to ensure grant requirements are met and funding agreements are processed.
• Provide analytical support in the development of grant strategies and fund programming for the District’s capital and operating projects.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
Principal Grants Analyst:

• Prepare and submit complex capital and operational grant applications, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local requirements.
• Monitor and manage financial status, scope, and progress of assigned grant-funded projects, ensuring all milestones and compliance are met.
• Act as a lead in coordinating with federal, state, and regional funding agencies, ensuring timely submission of reports and responses to audits or inquiries.
• Lead the development of strategic partnerships with internal departments and external funding partners to secure additional funding.
• Provide leadership and oversight in advocating for the District’s funding needs during programming processes.

Senior Grants Analyst:

• Monitor grant expenditures to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of funding agreements.
• Prepare reports and presentations related to grant applications, project funding, and capital planning.
• Provide analytical research on new funding opportunities and prepare recommendations for securing additional grants.
• Assist in coordinating with staff across the District to ensure grant-funded projects are delivered on time and within budget.
• Maintain detailed records of grant applications and awards and assist in the preparation of responses to compliance inquiries.

SUPERVISION: Works under the general supervision of the Manager, Grants and Fund Programming, 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:
 
Principal Grants Analyst:

• Bachelor’s degree in Transportation/Urban Planning, Business Administration, Public Policy, Economics, or a related field.
• Four (4) years of full-time progressively responsible experience in planning, project management, or professional-level grant management, including analytical and budgetary support for projects.
• In lieu of a degree, equivalent work-related experience that demonstrates the skills and experience necessary to perform the role will be considered.
• A graduate degree in a relevant field may be accepted in lieu of one (1) year of required experience.

Senior Grants Analyst:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Planning, Public Policy, Economics, or a related field.
• Three (3) years of progressively responsible professional experience in administration, analysis, or budget management related to grant funding.
• In lieu of a degree, equivalent work-related experience that demonstrates the skills and experience necessary to perform the role will be considered.
• A graduate degree may be accepted in lieu of one year of required experience, and internship experience may also be considered toward the required level of experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Principal Grants Analyst:

• Knowledge of funding programs and experience in transportation/transit capital planning and fund programming.
• Experience with life cycle grant processing and management, including compliance with Federal, State, and local regulations.
• Knowledge of financial, statistical, and comparative analysis techniques.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including experience with complex grant writing.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to lead the development of a robust grant funding program.

Senior Grants Analyst:

• Knowledge of federal, state, and regional funding programs, with experience in capital budgeting and fund programming.
• Experience in grant processing and management, including compliance with grant requirements.
• Public sector experience, especially within transportation or transit industries.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) applications such as PeopleSoft.
• Strong written, verbal, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

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• San Mateo County Transit District

• 650-508-6308