Chicago, IL, US, 60602
Agency : Department of Transportation
Closing Date/Time: 08/21/2023
Salary: $4,765 - 8,295 MONTHLY
Anticipated Salary Range: $4,765 - $6,265 MONTHLY
Job Type: Salaried Full Time
County: Cook
Number of Vacancies: 1
Plan/BU: NR916 - Protech Teamsters
*This position is covered by the Revolving Door Prohibition policy.
Apply online here
Agency Mission Statement
The Illinois Department of Transportation is seeking to hire a Statewide Transit Capital Project Manager.
The IDOT team works diligently to provide safe, cost-effective transportation for Illinois in ways that enhance quality of life, promote economic prosperity and protect our environment. We are problem solvers and leaders, constantly searching for innovations and improvements in support of our commitment to providing the best multimodal transportation system for Illinois.
Our team fosters a culture of inclusivity. We value diversity and hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards as we work together for a common purpose. Team members frequently collaborate with colleagues and others outside the department to best meet customer needs.
The department offers extensive training and career advancement opportunities. Employees also receive a robust benefit package including:
- Monday-Friday work schedule
- Flexible work schedules are available in many program areas.
- Health, Life, Vision, and Dental Insurance
- Pension Plan
- (10) Weeks paid Maternity/Paternity Leave
- Deferred Compensation Program and other pre-tax benefit programs (Medical/Daycare)
- Employees earn (12) paid Sick Days annually.
- New Employees earn (10) paid Vacation Days their first year of service and can earn up to (25) paid Vacation Days annually.
- Employees earn (3) paid Personal Days annually.
- (13-14) paid holidays annually (based on start date)
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Employee Assistance Program and/or mental health resources
We invite qualified applicants to apply to become part of our team. We are confident that you will take pride in serving Illinois and its residents and visitors.
Job Responsibilities
This position is accountable for grant administration of public transportation capital improvement projects in the state of Illinois, excluding the northeastern region and the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) service area.
Capital grants administered: 25 - 30
Annual capital projects assisted: 30 - 45
Annual grant funds administered: $45 million
This position reports to the Section Chief Transit Capital – Statewide. There are no subordinates reporting to this position.
The Office of Intermodal Project Implementation (OIPI) is responsible for the state funding and oversight of public transportation projects that will improve public transportation needs throughout Illinois. The Statewide Capital Section is responsible for the review and analysis of public transportation capital improvement projects and recommendation of approval and administration of transit capital grant programs to the various counties, municipalities, and mass transit districts throughout the state of Illinois, excluding the northeastern region and providers in the RTA service area. These grants typically fund facility maintenance and/or construction, vehicle procurement, and equipment purchases necessary to provide a safe and efficient statewide public transportation system. In addition, the Statewide Capital Section provides technical assistance to grantees regarding federal and state program compliance guideline requirements.
Typical challenges faced by the incumbent include monitoring the implementation of on-going statewide capital projects regarding various procurement activities; understanding the sources of transit funding in the region and ensuring compliance with state and federal guidelines and procurement regulations; and monitoring the status of capital project implementation. Additional challenges include timely review and analysis of contracts, amendments, and invoices and development of recommendations to management for resolution of funding and project implementation issues. Typical problems faced by the incumbent prior to grant approval include coordinating capital grant budgets and scopes with various funding agencies, providing instructions and assistance in the preparation of state grant application materials, analyzing project justifications and need, evaluating projects for funding eligibility, and prioritizing projects that meet state objectives. Typical problems in administering capital grant projects include ensuring compliance with state and federal guidelines; ensuring project implementation is consistent with approved scope and budget; and addressing issues, including grantee procurement issues, that arise during project implementation. The major challenge for the incumbent regarding the capital program is to ensure that grant funds are used for eligible expenses and that projects are implemented within state mandated timeframes and departmental policies.
(Job Responsibilities continued)
The incumbent is personally responsible for day-to-day field and grant responsibilities for the transit capital assistance grants administered throughout the state of Illinois, excluding the northeastern region and the RTA service area. Project management may include a review and analysis of applications, concurrences, correspondence, contracts, and payment documentation to determine appropriate action to be taken. The incumbent is personally responsible for reviewing and analyzing capital grant applications regarding cost, justifiable needs, state grant requirements, departmental policies, and funding availability. The incumbent recommends grant approval and prepares grant agreements. This position manages approved projects by ensuring compliance with state requirements. Additionally, s/he analyzes and recommends changes to project budgets, processes requests for pre-bid and pre-award concurrence, and reviews expenditures submitted. S/He manages the grant through the final close-out and audit process and is responsible for maintaining accurate project records. The incumbent produces reports on various subjects relating to capital projects involving transit operations, finances, and procurements as well as state funded programs. S/He maintains computer programs necessary for the management of data related to these reports which must be recorded and organized for analysis of a wide variety of issues. Other responsibilities include onsite reviews of project facilities, equipment
use, and construction activities. S/He also participates and contributes to the annual review and update of the internal transit procedures manuals. The incumbent also represents the department at selected meetings on capital improvement projects. The incumbent may be called upon to perform special high priority assignments related to OIPI activities.
The incumbent must follow state policies and procedures relating to public transportation programs but has flexibility in setting priorities for accomplishing daily activities. In instances where new policy or precedent could be set by the incumbent’s action, consultation with and approval from the Section Chief of Transit Capital - Statewide is required.
Internal contacts include staff of the OIPI, Office of Highways Project Implementation, Office of Planning and Programming, Office of Chief Counsel, Office of Finance and Administration, and Office of Legislative Affairs. External contacts include representatives of Department of Central Management Services, various municipalities, transit providers, planning agencies, and the Federal Transit Administration. Occasional in-state travel with overnight stays is required.
The effectiveness of this position is measured by the ability of the incumbent to effectively and efficiently administer public transportation capital improvement grant projects for the state of Illinois, excluding the northeastern region and the RTA service area.
Principal Accountabilities
1. Assists and directs grant applicants in the development of grant applications.
2. Evaluates capital grant application documents to assess merit and identify problems and makes recommendations to the Section Chief of Transit Capital - Statewide for grant approval or other actions.
3. Prepares correspondence necessary for the management of applications, grant contracts, and payment documentation for assigned grants.
4. Maintains computer information systems necessary for the management of statewide transit capital project data.
5. Promotes the implementation of capital projects and monitors all project activities. Provides guidance regarding compliance with state and federal grant requirements.
6. Evaluates requests for payment of grant funds to ensure conformity with the approved project budget and standard accounting principles.
7. Prepares special reports and spreadsheets as requested.
8. Reviews and evaluates grantee procurement processes to ensure compliance with state and federal procurement rules.
9. Participates and contributes to the annual review and update of the internal transit procedures manuals.
10. Performs duties in compliance with departmental safety rules. Performs all duties in a manner conducive to the fair and equitable treatment of all employees.
11. Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Position Requirements
- Education/Experience:
- Completion of bachelor’s degree majoring in business administration, accounting, finance, management, planning, or public administration, OR
- Completion of two years of college plus two years of experience with managing transportation project/grants, analyzing budgets, reconciling funds, managing procurement compliance, or a combination thereof, OR
- Six years of experience with managing transportation project/grants, analyzing budgets, reconciling funds, managing procurement compliance, or a combination thereof
- Valid driver’s license
- Occasional statewide travel with overnight stays
Position Desirables
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills
- Ability to visualize, articulate, and solve complex problems
- Ability to plan and adapt as the needs and funding availability change
- Proficient in Microsoft Office applications
- Ability to manage and analyze large amounts of data
Work Hours: 8:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M. Monday - Friday
Work Location: 69 W. Washington, Ste. 2100 Chicago, IL 60602
Office: Office of Intermodal Project Implementation/Bureau of Transit Capital
Agency Contact: DOT.CONTACTHR@ILLINOIS.GOV
Job Family: Transportation; Fiscal, Finance & Procurement
Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during State employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior to accepting any such non-State employment offer, notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (“OEIG”) or may be subject to a fine.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Use the “Apply” button at the top right or bottom right of this posting to begin the application process.
If you are not already signed in, you will be prompted to do so.
State employees should sign in to the career portal for State of Illinois employees – a link is available at the top left of the Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon.
Non-State employees should log in on the using the “View Profile” link in the top right of the Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon. If you have never before signed in, you will be prompted to create an account.
If you have questions about how to apply, please see the following resources:
State employees: Log in to the career portal for State employees and review the Internal Candidate Application Job Aid
Non-State employees: on Illinois.jobs2web.com – click “Application Procedures” in the footer of every page of the website.
Seasonal and temporary workers should use a personal e-mail address when applying for jobs.
The main form of communication will be through email. Please check your “junk mail”, “spam”, or “other” folder for communication(s) regarding any submitted application(s). You may receive emails from the following addresses:
- donotreply@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com
- systems@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com
This position is a union position; therefore, provisions of the relevant collective bargaining agreement/labor contract apply to the filling of this position.
All applicants who want to be considered for this position MUST apply electronically through the illinois.jobs2web.com website. State of Illinois employees should click the link near the top left to apply through the SuccessFactors employee career portal.
Applications submitted via email or any paper manner (mail, fax, hand delivery) will not be considered.