Director of Planning and Grants

Overview

The Duluth Transit Authority (DTA) is currently seeking to fill a Director of Planning and Grants position. The DTA is an award-winning transit agency that provides safe, convenient, and affordable public transit service (fixed route and paratransit) within the Twin Ports of Duluth, MN and Superior, WI and its surrounding areas. We transport just under 3 million passengers annually by way of our 75+ bus fleet and we employ approximately 180 team members. The Director of Planning and Grants is a pivotal role responsible for performing professional-level analytical and technical studies in support of programing and transit planning, coordination, and operational goals. The position requires a strategic thinker who can navigate complex funding landscapes and has an understanding of urban planning and project management principles. The ideal candidate also brings outstanding written and verbal communication skills that will be utilized when interacting with internal and external stakeholders, including the general public, DTA’s public Board of Directors and the senior leadership team. The Director of Planning and Grants provides leadership in the application for and the administration of Federal, State and Local grants; the development of transit service models; and assistance with various State and Federal reports.

The DTA offers an exceptional compensation and benefits package, including:

• Competitive Salary
• Health insurance-fully paid monthly premiums for employee and family
• Dental Insurance-fully paid monthly premiums for employee and family
• Vision Insurance-fully paid monthly premiums for employee and family
• Low $500 health insurance deductible per person annually; $2500 max out of pocket spend for individual, $5000 max out of pocket spend for family.
• Life insurance-fully paid monthly premiums for employee
• Long term disability insurance
• Paid holidays
• Paid vacation
• Paid sick time
• Money Purchase Pension-company match of 12% of annual salary
• Access to Minnesota Deferred Compensation Plan
• Free bus passes for employee and immediate family
• Training and Career Development Opportunities
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account (FSA)

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Directs the development, implementation, and/or analysis of short and long-range transit plans, area studies, performance metrics, and other transit planning and facility studies.
• Performs service performance analyses for DTA bus service, routes and stops.
• Prepares service performance reports and develops recommendations.
• Performs field work, public outreach, and surveying as needed to gather information to support transit planning activities.
• Directs bus stop improvement activities.
• Prepare and submit of grant applications for service expansions.
• Develop and submit applications and proposals for grants to Federal, State, and Local funding agencies. Administration of all funding received through capital grants.
• Develop and maintain a capital projects list, including the local Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP).
• Assists in agency reviews and audits.
• Assists the Finance Director with preparation of the annual operating budget.
• Assists the General Manager in matters dealing with local, state and federal governmental agencies and bodies.
• Represents the DTA in working with the MPO and units of local governments.
• Attends community events outside of regular hours to represent the DTA as needed.
• Works with Scheduling to improve transit service.
• Works with Marketing to establish long range marketing goals.
• Works with Procurement and Project Managers on capital projects.
• Provides timely responses to customer inquiries and complaints.
• Monitors and ensures compliance with local, state and federal laws.
• Maintains and fulfills ongoing and emergent reporting requirements and data requests.
• Prepares all reports as necessary. Reviews all reported data to determine the goals and needs of the public transit system. Makes presentations to the Board and standing committees
• Serves as a DTA representative on boards, committees and commissions as may be required.
• Performs other related duties as may be required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Four-year degree in Planning, Public Administration or related study.
• Minimum of three years of experience in mass transit or transportation planning.
• Good written and oral communication skill, with experience in public speaking.
• Knowledge of federal transit and/or transportation funding programs.
• Organized, plans time, sets priorities and meets critical deadlines.

Starting pay range:  $65,000 – $95,000 per year