Illinois Department of Transportation
Classification: Technical Manager III
Salary Range: $4,670 - $8,295
Position Title: Transit Operating Project Manager- Northern
Union Position: Yes
Position Number: PW413-23-80-602-00-01
IPR#: 40711
Office/Central Bureau/District/Work Address:
Division of Public and Intermodal Transportation/JRTC
100 W. Randolph, Ste 6-600
Chicago, Illinois
Technical Applications (PM 1080) must be received by the Bureau of Personnel Management, Room 113, 2300 South Dirksen Parkway, Springfield, IL 62764 (Fax# 217/557-3134) by Monday, January 11, 2016, 4:30 p.m. Please include address, daytime phone and position for which applying if not already listed on application. Applicants will be notified in writing to schedule interviews.
Description Of Duties:
This position is responsible for the review and analysis of public transportation operating assistance applications, budgets, contracts, and payment requisitions in the northern portion of the state of Illinois, which includes the RTA region. This position provides assistance to urban and rural communities with grant related issues, technical assistance, and meeting the federal and state progam compliance requirements. In addition, this position is responsible for assisting the Section Chief of Transit Operating - Northern in managing the day-to-day oversight, reporting, analysis and compliance activities associated with the state and federal operating grant assistance programs.
Special Qualifications:
The following criteria is required:
- Valid driver’s license
- Travel throughout Northern Illinois with occasional overnight stays
- Knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to completion of four years of college preferably with courses in accounting, finance, business administration, transportation planning or related field and at least three years of relevant work experience
- Understanding of financial management and general accounting principles, public transportation operations and governmental grant programs
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Proficient in Microsoft Word, Power Point and Excel
Position Purpose
This position is responsible for the review and analysis of public transportation operating assistance
applications, budgets, contracts, and payment requisitions in the northern portion of the state of Illinois, which
includes the RTA region. This position provides assistance to both urban and rural communities with various
populations with grant related issues, technical assistance, and meeting the federal and state progam
compliance requirements. In addition, this position is responsible for assisting the Section Chief of Transit
Operating - Northern in managing the day-to-day oversight, reporting, analysis and compliance activites
associated with the state and federal operating grant assistance programs.
Dimensions
Operating Grants Administered (annual): 10-15
Total
Grant Funds Administered (annual): $50-100 Million
Nature and Scope
This position reports to the Section Chief of Transit Operating - Northern, as do the Transit Operating Program
Manager, and two additional Transit Operating Project Managers. There are no subordinates reporting to this
position.
This position is accountable for the day-to-day project management and compliance oversight of operating
assistance grants to both rural and urbanized grantees that provide public transportation in the northern areas
of the state. The incumbent may also provide technical assistance to the grantees regarding federal and state
program compliance guidelines and requirements. The grants managed by the incumbent are numerous and
typically involve eligible operating expense issues associated with the Department’s operating assistance grant
programs in rural and urbanized areas.
The greatest challenges to this position are to manage a large number of grants to various public
transportation providers, and to ensure grantees are utilizing the grant funds for eligible cost activities, and
operating within state and federal program guidelines. Typical grant management problems confronting the
incumbent include: monitoring compliance with federal/state requirements, ensuring grantee adherence to
budget and scope limitations, reconciling issues related to eligible cost and requisition issues, and obtaining
and analyzing necessary operating data for federal and state reporting requirements.
The incumbent is personally accountable for the Division’s principal review of annual applications for operating
assistance grants. This review will address issues of compliance with federal/state requirements as well as
make an assessment whether the proposed project is necessary, beneficial and cost effective. After review
and approval, the incumbent ensures that federal/state regulations are followed by the grantee, grantee actions
are consistent with the grant application and grant contract documents, all grantee reporting requirements are met, and all requisitions are complete, accurate and justified.
The incumbent maintains accurate grant and
accounting records of all grant actions and funds disbursed through the grant. The incumbent may be called
upon to perform special high priority assignments related to the division activities or other tasks as assigned.
The incumbent evaluates matters of a sensitive and complex nature and offers recommendations to the
immediate supervisor for resolution and is responsible to implement the agreed upon course of action. The
incumbent is constrained by departmental regulations and federal/state policies and procedures relating to
public transportation programs.
As a project manager, this position has contact with divisional staff, representatives of the Offices of Planning
and Programming, Finance and Administration, Chief Counsel and Office of Communications. Externally the
incumbent has contacts with consultant firms, local public and private transportation agencies, local/state
officials, not-for-profit agency representatives, Human Services Transportation Coordinators, Rural Transit
Assistance Center, the Federal Transit Administration, the public and vendors. These tasks often require the
incumbent to travel, sometimes overnight, and make presentations to transit officials and providers.
The effectiveness of the position can be measured by the ability of the incumbent to provide proper and timely
management of operating assistance grant activities by understanding these programs, communicating
relevant information to grantees, promptly and accurately processing grant and payment documents, and work
cohesively with all Department and grantee staff.
Principal Accountabilities
1. Assists and directs grantees in the development of grant applications, contracts, payment requisitions,
as well as audit schedules and data reporting requirements.
2. Evaluates operating grant application documents to assess merit and identify deficiencies.
3. Evaluates completed grant applications; makes recommendations to the immediate supervisor for grant
approval or other actions.
4. Prepares correspondence and documents necessary for the management of applications and grants
assigned to the incumbent.
5. Monitors all project activities and provides guidance on compliance with all grant requirements.
6. Evaluates request for payment for accuracy and to ensure conformity with the approved grant funding
as well as state and federal program requirements.
7. Maintains thorough and accurate records and data management in accordance with Division policy and
procedures.
8. Performs duties in compliance with departmental safety rules. Performs all duties in a manner
conducive to the fair and equitable treatment of all employees.
9. Performs other duties as assigned.