Project Manager, Baltimore Greenway Trail Network

About Us

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) is the nation’s largest trails organization—with a grassroots community more than 1 million strong—dedicated to building a nation connected by trails, reimagining public spaces to create safe ways for everyone to walk, bike and be active outdoors. Founded in 1986, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's national office is located in Washington, D.C., with regional offices in California, Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania. For more information, visit www.railstotrails.org. Connect with RTC @railstotrails on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Job Summary

RTC seeks an enthusiastic trail and active transportation advocate and organizer to serve as the Project Manager for the Baltimore Greenway Trails Network (BGTN). The BGTN is working to create a 35-mile world-class network of urban trails that link together the diverse neighborhoods, cultural amenities, and outdoor resources of Baltimore City. This is an excellent trail development opportunity for a strategic-thinking, advocacy-minded and creative candidate who enjoys collaborating with a variety of stakeholders at all levels. Working knowledge of Baltimore City stakeholders, government and politics is a plus.

The Project Manager will be engaged in all aspects of project planning and implementation to support the completion of the BGTN—with a focus on gathering diverse perspectives and promoting trails as tools to improve the quality of life for residents, while supporting already adopted public plans and strategies related to Baltimore’s built environment. This position reports to the Mid-Atlantic Director, Trail Development.

Job Location

This position is located in our Baltimore Field Office (located at the Impact Hub) and is eligible for hybrid work schedule in accordance with RTC’s policies. Proof of vaccination is required for all staff.

Job Duties

Responsibilities include the following:

Coalition/Relationship Building: Strong relationships are key to the success of the BGTN. This position will be responsible for regular coalition-building activities, including:

• Maintaining and building upon existing relationships with a broad range of residents and local leaders within Baltimore’s diverse neighborhoods, as well as professionals representing local and state government entities, nonprofits, the environmental/conservation sector, transportation organizations, local businesses, anchor institutions and land developers, community development organizations, and the local planning and design community
• Identifying new potential partners and implementing relationship-cultivation activities to ensure a robust coalition moving forward

Project Management, Planning and Advocacy: To ensure project sustainability, a significant portion of this position is dedicated to managing multiple, but related, projects, grants, and advocacy initiatives. Typical duties include:

• Implementing regular coalition meetings to ensure healthy engagement with the BGTN by both coalition partners and the public
• Managing subcontractors and volunteer designers working on conceptual designs and project implementation strategies
• Supporting the Director and Development team in the preparation of fundraising and grant materials related to the BGTN
• Working closely with city offices and community development corporations to implement interrelated strategies and tactics associated with the BGTN and the city’s Green Network Plan; may include programs, public events and other activities related to community mobilization and engagement
• Working closely with RTC staff to utilize communications, mapping, research, and support resources to support work related to the BGTN
• Work closely with policy team and TrailNation Director to advocate for public funding designated for the BGTN

Community Engagement and Advocacy: Keeping residents informed and engaged with accurate information about the BGTN is essential to growing and maintaining a grassroots base of supporters to demonstrate public support for trail and active transportation projects. Some examples of this aspect of the work include:

• Hosting community events and charrette-style meetings individually or with RTC staff and external partners in key trail-corridor gaps
• Maintaining a schedule of, and attending, existing community events, festivals and gatherings to promote the BGTN, build community support and grow RTC’s list of grass roots and community activists
• Engaging with our growing list of contacts through social media, blog posts email, newsletters, etc. with support from the RTC communications team
• Presenting and communicating to diverse groups in a variety of different situations, including conferences, webinars, speaker series, public engagement meetings, press releases, interviews, meetings with elected officials, and more

Equitable Development Planning and Advocacy: Collaborating with Baltimore City to lead and implement an equitable development planning process that ensures that community voices are leading the development of the Baltimore Greenway.

Grant Writing Support and Development/Fundraising Collaboration: Financial support is a key factor that enables RTC to continue this work and ensures the growth of this project. This position will be responsible for helping coordinate fundraising efforts that will propel this work. Some examples include:

• Collaborating on grant writing, both large and small in scale with trail development, development, policy departments, and external partners on grant applications, presentations to funders, and meetings with existing and potential funders. Examples can include federal ARPA grants, state grants, and local grants from nonprofit organizations & foundations (NPO’s)
• Facilitating the distribution of mini-grants and pass-through donations to local organizations and nonprofits.

Supervisory Responsibilities

May supervise one part-time, seasonal programmatic staff person.

Basic Qualifications and Personal Attributes

Qualified candidates will have a proven track record five years’ experience within one or more of the following areas of work: trail/bike-ped/transportation advocacy, organizing and planning; community development; public administration; natural resource planning; and economic development.

The successful candidate will be a strategic thinker with the ability to manage multiple tasks and a widely varied workload. Candidate will also have excellent skills in building and maintaining collaborative and strategic relationships with a variety of stakeholders, such as local and state government officials and agencies; transportation, planning, economic development, conservation, and health organizations; residents; and community-based nonprofits.

Other qualifications include:

• Demonstrated advocacy experience related to public planning, transportation, or the built environment
• Strong people and group-facilitation skills and experience with coalition building
• Understanding of Baltimore’s neighborhoods, and familiarity with the historical and political landscape of economic, housing and community development.
• A solid understanding of the process of moving a trail plan from concept to design-build phase
• Advanced project management skills and experience, including setting short- and long-term planning goals in line with program priorities and available resources; taking multifaceted projects plans from conception through to completion, and the ability to develop/manage complex budgets
• An understanding of the relationship between advancing policy decisions and building community support
• Outstanding oral and written communication and strong interpersonal skills
• Excellent presentation and facilitation skills, with a demonstrated ability to develop strategic approaches for stakeholder involvement and meeting facilitation
• Consensus-building skills, with the ability to read an audience and be decisive
• Ability and willingness to participate in outdoor park and trail programming either with project partners or as the lead
• Experience supporting grant writing
• Twice a month travel to DC Headquarters to collaborate with staff

The following qualifications are preferred but not required:

• A bachelor’s degree in urban/transportation planning, conservation planning, economic development, public health, or a related field (A master’s degree in related fields may be substituted for the required years of experience.)
• Proficiency in GIS
• Proficiency in Excel
• Familiarity using design software for presentations and materials preparation
• Experience working with or for local government

Work Environment

Normal office setting with low to moderate noise level.

Employer's Rights

RTC reserves the right to revise, change or reclassify this job description at any time in accordance with RTC’s business needs. This job description is by no means an implied contract.

How to Apply

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. To apply, please email careers@railstotrails.org with the following:

• The position you are applying for in the subject line

• A résumé (as a separate attachment)

• A cover letter that includes a brief statement about your personal background or experiences that demonstrate your potential to contribute to RTC’s commitment to create an inclusive and diverse workplace.​

Grant Analyst I, Metra Rail

Description

 

Metra is one of the largest and most complex commuter rail systems in North America, serving Cook, DuPage, Will, Lake, Kane, and McHenry Counties. The agency is linking communities in Northeastern Illinois by providing safe, reliable, and efficient commuter service.

 

Financial Affairs is headed by the Chief Financial Officer and divided into five groups: Information Technology; Treasury; Accounting, Budget, Management Analysis and Contracts; and Grant Management. The core mission of these groups is to provide accurate financial information so that Metra can run its business efficiently. Together these departments employ approximately 160 people.

 

Reporting to the Director, Grant Administration, the Grant Analyst 1 will support the Grants Management division and will research and analyze project data to complete local, state, and federal grant applications for capital grant funding; review and edit grant agreements and amendments; prepare and submit progress and statistical reports; and ensure compliance with all agency and governmental rules, regulations, and standards related to grant awards for transit agencies.  The primary duties include manage all phases of the grant award process; determine available funding sources from the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) and non-FTA are properly aligned; collaborate with departments on project funding needs; and build grant applications and amendments based on project specifications, scope, schedule, and budget information. Capture the essence of the project to generate a summary to effectively communicate the needs of, and uses for, potential grant funding; and ensure the summary is acceptable to the FTA. Evaluate and clarify project information to ensure project meets eligibility criteria and information is accurate prior to grant application submission; develop processes for delivering funding to projects following awards; enter awarded funding data into planning and financial systems; maintain and reconcile systems containing grant award information; and prepare funding release documents. Develop accurate project listings and materials for inclusion in the FTA's annual Program of Projects publication; and cross-reference project budget information and capital project identifiers to be entered into the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) database. Review and edit terms and conditions of grant agreements and amendments to ensure compliance with FTA and funding agency regulations; and identify other relevant local, state, and federal guidance, rules, regulations, and laws that might impact funding. Perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

 

Candidates can expect salary offers that range from the minimum to the mid-point of the salary range. Metra provides full pay ranges so candidate can consider their growth potential.

 

Metra is a railroad employer subject to the provisions of the Railroad Retirement Tax Act, not the Social Security Administration.

Requirements

 

1. Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Public Administration, Transportation Planning, Urban Planning, or related discipline, or in lieu of a degree, any combination of education and experience may be substituted for the required degree that equals four (4) years in grant administration, implementation, or financial analysis.
2. In addition to #1, must have two (2) years of experience in grant administration managing local, state, or federal grant programs and contracts, or data compilation and analysis.
3. Familiarity with Federal funding sources and programs.
4. Familiar with accounting principles and practices and financial management procedures and systems.
5. Working knowledge of practices and principles of grant programs preferably for transportation or capital planning projects, including the application and administration processes.
6. Familiar with local, state, and federal regulations governing grant funding for transportation projects such as the FTA Circulars 5337 State of Good Repair Grants and 5307 Urbanized Area Formula Program Grants.
7. Strong qualitative and quantitative analysis and research skills.
8. Strong qualitative and quantitative analysis and research skills.
9. Detail oriented with strong organizational, planning, and time management skills.
10. Excellent oral and written communications and interpersonal skills to establish and maintain effective relations with all levels of management, employees, external vendors, and organizations to foster teamwork.
11. Ability to manage projects and handle moderately complex issues and problems.
12. Ability to build relationships and work collaboratively with various teams.
13. Ability to prioritize, manage multiple tasks and assignments, and meet deadlines.
14. Ability to collect, tabulate, and analyze project data and proposals.
15. Ability to maintain budget spreadsheets with funding scenarios that utilize multiple funding sources.
16. Ability to stand, walk, and/or sit, for extended periods of time.

Apply here: https://cta.cadienttalent.com/index.jsp?POSTING_ID=97891167076&locale=en_US&SEQ=jobDetails&applicationName=MetraKTMDReqExt