Manager, Grant Reimbursement

The final salary will depend on the candidate's qualifications. Those with 8 years or more of required experience can expect offers up to the midpoint of the salary range. Metra provides full pay ranges so candidates can consider their growth potential.

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Qualified veterans who meet the minimum requirements will receive outreach during the recruitment process in accordance with Federal and State laws, including the Illinois Veterans Preference Act. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an interview or job offer. The most qualified candidate will be selected.

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.

Grant Management & Corporate Quality Assurance is divided into three primary sections: Grant Administration, Project Implementation, and Corporate Quality Assurance. Grant Administration includes the Grant Applications and Grant Reimbursement teams. Grant Applications coordinates program-level information for each project and submits applications for capital, operating, and demonstration grants to appropriate funding agencies. Grant Reimbursement requests reimbursement from funding agencies for capital expenditures, closes out capital project grants, performs monthly and annual reconciliations of reimbursements to capital expenditures, and provides information for audits and funding agency reviews. Project Implementation administers approved project budgets, scopes, and schedules, obligates funding for contracts, provides financial oversight and reports project progress to the funding agencies. Corporate Quality Assurance administers Metra's Quality Assurance oversight program to ensure compliance with the Federal Transit Administration's Quality Management System and to identify opportunities for continuous improvement.

Reporting to the Director, Grant Administration, the Manager Grant Reimbursement will manage activities and records pertaining to reimbursement requests of financial assistance grants with a cumulative multi-billion dollar value, including managing preparation of financial information to support weekly FTA grant drawdowns and monthly requisitions of funds for reimbursement of capital expenditures made under federal/state/regional/local agency grants. Manage the preparation of financial information to support grant activities pertaining to cash receipts and cash flow forecasting. Prepare quarterly Federal Financial Reports for each Federal grant in accordance with FTA grant management requirements and additional periodic financial reports for other granter agencies. Manage and participate in developing and implementing division goals, objectives, policies, and priorities; recommend and administer policies and procedures and appropriate service and staffing levels; coordinate the work plan and manage staff. Coordinate activities with executive staff, other departments, and outside agencies and participate in strategic and policy analysis.

The primary duties include: Manage the services and activities pertaining to reimbursement requests of financial assistance grants with a cumulative multi-billion dollar value. Quickly resolve Grantor's requests for additional information and adjustments, ensuring Metra receives timely payments to facilitate good cash positions. Manage and monitor weekly Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grant draw downs and monthly requisitions of funds for reimbursement of capital expenditures made under federal/state/regional/local agency grants in order to meet established cash flow needs. Control high-level capital budgets for active and completed grants to comply with requirements related primarily to grant management (grant reporting, modifications and close-outs, record retention and access, etc.). Manage quarterly Federal Financial Reports process for each Federal grant in accordance with FTA grant management requirements and manage monthly, quarterly, and annual financial status report preparation and submission to other outside agencies in compliance with all federal, state, and local rules, regulations, and requirements. Review and approve all capital budget revisions and closeouts of capital projects and grants, ensuring Cost and Revenue Budgets are reconciled and all reimbursement requests have been processed. Approve time off, coordinate staff schedules, fill vacancies as necessary, and ensure compliance with departmental and company policies and objectives. Decide/implement staffing decisions, performance evaluations, and performance improvement, disciplinary, and/or termination procedures. Promote safe work practices and maintain and foster a safe work environment. Perform otherrelated duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

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

1. Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Economics or in lieu of degree, any combination of education and experience may be substituted for the required degree that equals four (4) years in finance and accounting in public transportation industry preferably in grant development, administration or the public sector.
2. In addition to #1, must have five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in financial and operation analysis, preferably in the transportation industry or public sector.
3. One (1) year of direct supervisory experience required that includes day-to-day employee management, assigning tasks, providing guidance and training, monitoring performance, conflict management, budgeting, hiring, discipline and/or termination.
4. Knowledge of federal/state grant procedures, federal/state/local planning, capital program and grant development and implementation processes.
5. Knowledge of accounting principles.
6. Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, with emphasis on Excel.
7. Attention to detail.
8. Contentiousness.
9. Must possess strong critical thinking skills.
10. Ability to solve complex problems.
11. Must have excellent analytical skills.
12. Must have strong interpersonal and communication (oral/written) skills.
13. Ability to stand, walk, and/or sit, for extended periods of time.
14. Must be able to operate a vehicle.
15. Must be willing to travel within Metra's 6-county region.
16. Must be available to work flexible hours in the early morning, late afternoon, evenings, or weekends.

Metra employees in an active review period under the current discipline policy or who have documented attendance or performance issues will not be considered and/or selected for this position.

Please note: Regardless of any state laws that legalize marijuana, Metra prohibits applicants and employees' use or possession of marijuana (or marijuana paraphernalia), or having detectable amounts of marijuana in their bodies, including synthetic and/or non-synthetic substances such as THC for any reason for preemployment screening purposes, while on duty, subject to duty, on Metra property, or in Metra work equipment and vehicles.

Metra is committed to ensuring that our career website and recruiting process are accessible to all individuals. For general assistance, please contact talentacquisition@metrarr.com. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, participate in interviews, complete any pre-employment testing, or engage in any other aspect of the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to the Reasonable Accommodations Committee at RAC@metrarr.com.

Metra is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. It is our policy to fill vacant positions with qualified candidates without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, gender identity, disability, or any protected categories, assuming an individual can perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation.