SENIOR PLANNER / GRANTS ADMINISTRATION

Job description

Reports To: Planning Director

FLSA Status: Exempt

POSITION SUMMARY

The Senior Planner / Grants Administrator advances the mission, strategic initiatives, and long-term mobility goals of Chatham Area Transit Authority (“CAT”) through professional transit planning, capital project coordination, grant development, and regulatory compliance activities.

Under the direction of the Planning Director, this position assists with the development and implementation of short-range and long-range transit plans, capital improvement initiatives, grant applications, service analyses, and special studies. The position supports CAT’s multimodal transportation planning efforts and coordinates with regional, state, and federal stakeholders to improve public transportation services throughout the region.

The Senior Planner / Grants Administration serves as CAT’s representative on assigned committees, public meetings, and planning forums while providing technical expertise related to transit planning, infrastructure development, grants administration, and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) compliance requirements.

This position also provides leadership in identifying funding opportunities, managing grant-funded initiatives, coordinating capital projects, and ensuring compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The Planning Department is responsible for transit planning, scheduling, grants administration, capital programming, infrastructure planning, and intergovernmental coordination. The department develops CAT’s short-range and long-range transportation plans, administers planning studies, manages grant programs, and supports system modernization and operational growth initiatives.

CAT CORE VALUES

All employees are expected to model and uphold CAT’s Core Values:

Safety – Prioritize the safety of passengers, employees, and the public.

Integrity – Act ethically, honestly, and transparently.

Customer Service – Deliver courteous, responsive, and professional service.

Accountability – Take ownership of commitments, actions, and outcomes.

Innovation – Pursue creative solutions and continuous improvement.

Teamwork – Collaborate respectfully across departments and with stakeholders.

Employees are expected to treat passengers, employees, and stakeholders with dignity and respect while supporting a workplace culture of professionalism, inclusion, and operational excellence.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The following duties are representative of the position and are not intended to be all-inclusive.

Long-Range Planning

Assist in the development of CAT’s 5-Year Transit Development Plan (TDP), Transit Master Plan, Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA), and other strategic initiatives.

Conduct feasibility studies for expansion of transit services and infrastructure.

Analyze ridership trends, demographic shifts, mobility patterns, and operational performance data.

Develop service recommendations and planning alternatives for fixed-route, paratransit, microtransit, park-and-ride, commuter, and emerging mobility services.

Coordinate with local governments, regional planning agencies, Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), and community stakeholders on transportation planning initiatives.

Support multimodal transportation planning and integration efforts.

Short-Range Planning

Perform service evaluations and operational analyses.

Recommend route modifications, scheduling changes, stop enhancements, and service adjustments.

Conduct cost-benefit analyses and prepare service performance reports.

Support implementation of service changes and operational initiatives.

Participate in public meetings, hearings, and stakeholder engagement activities.

Grants Administration & Funding Development

Research, identify, and pursue local, state, and federal funding opportunities.

Prepare and administer grant applications and supporting documentation.

Manage grant development activities from application through award execution and closeout.

Coordinate grant submissions through applicable FTA and grant management systems including TRAMS.

Maintain grant databases, milestones, reporting requirements, and supporting documentation.

Prepare reimbursement requests, grant reports, and compliance documentation.

Evaluate project costs, benefits, and funding strategies for management review.

Coordinate with Finance, Procurement, Operations, and Legal regarding grant-funded projects and compliance obligations.

Capital Program & Project Management

Support development and implementation of CAT’s Five-Year Capital Improvement Program (CIP).

Assist with management of assigned capital and infrastructure projects.

Coordinate activities involving contractors, consultants, architects, engineers, and internal stakeholders.

Monitor project schedules, budgets, deliverables, and risk mitigation strategies.

Ensure compliance with project specifications, procurement requirements, and grant obligations.

Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Compliance

Support CAT compliance with applicable FTA regulations, circulars, grant requirements, and federal guidance.

Assist with National Transit Database (NTD) reporting and performance metrics.

Coordinate planning and compliance activities related to:

Title VI

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)

Environmental Justice

Civil Rights

Buy America requirements

Procurement standards

Maintain records necessary for Triennial Reviews, State Management Reviews, audits, and grant monitoring activities.

Ensure federally funded projects comply with all applicable federal, state, and local requirements.

Public Engagement & Agency Coordination

Represent CAT at regional, county, state, federal, and community meetings.

Participate in MPO Technical Coordinating Committee (TCC) and related planning committees as assigned.

Coordinate with community organizations, consultants, elected officials, and stakeholders.

Prepare and deliver presentations to CAT leadership, governing boards, public agencies, and community groups.

Support CAT public outreach and community engagement initiatives.

General Responsibilities

Work strategically in support of departmental and organizational goals.

Maintain effective working relationships with employees, stakeholders, and the public.

Ensure accessibility needs of passengers and employees with disabilities are addressed in accordance with ADA and FTA requirements.

Stay informed regarding evolving transportation trends, planning methodologies, and funding opportunities.

Perform additional duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in one of the following or related fields:

Urban or Regional Planning

Transportation Planning

Public Administration

Civil Engineering