TSI Grant Program Administrator

SALARY: $75,940.08 - $89,356.80

LOCATION: 33 N. High St. Columbus, OH 43215

BENEFITS:

• Medical, Vision, Dental
• Supplemental and Life Insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Discounts
• COTA Bus Pass
• Wellness Initiatives
• On-Site Chair Massage
• On-Site Health Coach
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Student Loan Repayment Program
• Public Pension through OPERS & Ohio Deferred Compensation

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Transit Supportive Infrastructure (TSI) Grant Program Administrator is responsible for managing and overseeing grant programs that fund transit infrastructure projects designed to improve access to public transit, support sustainable transportation modes, and enhance community mobility. The TSI Administrator will work with Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC), government agencies, and other stakeholders to coordinate and manage grant application processes, manage the development and maintenance of the 5-Year TSI Capital Improvement Plan, oversee the distribution of funding, and ensure timely post-award reporting. The role also includes monitoring project progress, facilitating reviews, and ensuring that audits are completed in accordance with applicable guidelines.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Lead and manage the Transit Supportive Infrastructure (TSI) Grant Program, serving as the primary coordinator between COTA, Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC), local municipalities, and other stakeholders to ensure alignment with program objectives;
• Oversee the full grant lifecycle, including the monitoring the annual application process, facilitating internal reviews, legal and financial approvals, and the formal submission to COTA Board of Trustees;
• Ensure timely and compliant disbursement of grant funds, coordinating closely with MORPC and internal finance teams to monitor project expenditures, collect financial documentation, and produce accurate financial reports;
• Maintain comprehensive documentation for all awarded grants, including agreements, disbursement records, progress updates, compliance reports, and project closeout files;
• Act as COTA's primary point of contact for grant recipients and program partners, providing policy guidance, and ongoing support to ensure clear communication and compliance throughout the grant period;
• Coordinate field audits and project monitoring, working with third-party firms and internal staff to evaluate on-the-ground progress and adherence to approved project scopes and timelines;
• Track and evaluate grant-funded project outcomes, including milestones, deliverables, and performance indicators, ensuring projects meet defined objectives and contribute to community mobility improvements;
• Monitor grant budgets and financial performance, ensuring that spending aligns with approved allocations and program requirements, while preparing financial projections and identifying any variances;
• Support program transparency and continuous improvement by preparing regular reports for leadership and stakeholders, highlighting key performance metrics, success stories, challenges, and recommended enhancements; and
• Contribute to the development and refinement of program policies and procedures, using data analysis, audit findings, and stakeholder feedback to improve program efficiency, equity, and impact.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Support the development of outreach and informational materials for the Transit Supportive Infrastructure Grant Program to increase public awareness and engagement, including participation in occasional evening or weekend events;
• Travel to conduct site visits, participate in stakeholder meetings, and represent the program at local, regional, and national conferences to support project oversight, collaboration, and knowledge sharing; and
• Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• Requires a Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Public Administration, Urban Planning, or a related field required (Master's degree preferred), with at least five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in grant management, government/non-profit accounting, or a related field;
• Must have proven experience managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders and budgets; and
• Must have knowledge of federal/state/local grant programs.

LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS:

• None

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Possess strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and coordinate complex tasks across departments and stakeholders;
• Strategic thinking, with the ability to balance long-term planning with short-term problem-solving and program responsiveness;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear, concise reports and effectively communicate with a wide range of stakeholders using various formats;
• Possess strong analytical, research, and problem-solving abilities, with the capability to define issues, evaluate options, and implement practical solutions within established policies and procedures; and
• Must have a solid understanding of financial management practices, including budgeting, tracking expenditures, preparing reports, and ensuring compliance with funding requirements.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

This position requires exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body and the following additional physical abilities:

• Mental Acuity: Ability to make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes.
• Speaking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word including the ability to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately and concisely.
• Talking 1: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word including those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Visual Acuity 2: Including color, depth perception, and field vision.

COTA has the right to revise this position description at any time. This position description does not represent in any way a contract of employment.