Ohio Small Urban Specialist

Ohio Transit Risk Pool

Job Description: Small Urban Specialist

Part-Time/Temporary

Hourly rate commensurate with experience.

Position Summary

• The Ohio Small Urban Specialist works in close coordination with the Small Urban Coordinator and Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and small urban transit agencies across the state. The Small Urban Specialist is responsible for providing technical assistance, federal compliance, financial management, procurement, strategic planning, data reporting, and grant administration. The Small Urban Specialist works to improve and strengthen the performance, operations, and efficiency of Ohio’s Governor’s Apportionment (GA) small urban transit systems in tandem with the NEORide Executive Director and Small Urban Coordinator and other assigned personnel. The Small Urban Specialist also maintains professional relationships with OTRP, ODOT, OPTA and other service providers necessary for the efficient management of the coordinator’s activities.

Position Requirements

• The Small Urban Specialist shall, at a minimum, have an associate’s degree, but a bachelor’s degree in urban planning, public administration, transportation, or related field is preferred. No prior experience is required, but prior experience at a Public Transit or with governmental agencies in Ohio is preferred.

The Small Urban Specialist shall have the ability to:

• Communicate verbally and in writing.
• Act in a self-directed and independent manner.
• Legally operate a motor vehicle.
• Physically navigate member sites.
• Occasionally lift up to 40 pounds (paper, office supplies, etc.)
• Utilize PC’s and software applications including word processing, financial management/accounting, spreadsheets, databases, information systems, desktop publishing, Microsoft teams and e-mail, etc.
• Understand office terminology, practices, procedures and equipment. Coordinate and develop presentations and conduct information gathering and networking sessions on job specific topics.
• Is comfortable performing Public Speaking and Networking duties.
• Is able to travel within the State of Ohio and to other Public Transit Locations or conferences in the U.S.

In addition, The Ohio Small Urban Specialist shall be or shall become skilled/knowledgeable in the following areas:

• FTA programs, including Section 5307 Governor’s Apportionment, Transit Asset Management (TAM) Plans, Triennial Reviews, NTD reporting, and federal compliance circulars
• Ohio funding programs, including the Urban Transit Program (UTP), Ohio Transit Partnership Program (OTP2), and Ohio Workforce Mobility Partnership (OWMP) Program
• Transit Operations, Capital Budgeting, Grant Management \& Planning
• Grant Applications and Reporting especially related to FTA and ODOT programs.
• Management, and Tracking of Local and Statewide Transportation Improvement Programs
• Procurement and Contracting
• Understanding procurement thresholds and federal requirements
• Develop coordinated procurement processes allowing for shared information across multiple transit agencies (both small urban and beyond).
• Operational Data Collection and Reporting, including National Transit Database
• Marketing and Public Engagement
• Compliance with FTA Regulations and Policy Development.
• Technology: Scheduling/Dispatching expertise and technical assistance
• Training Opportunities

The Small Urban Specialist expected to work weekdays between 8 AM and 5 PM. The Small Urban Specialist will spend approximately 75% of their time in an office environment with the additional 25% divided between walking/navigating, standing, operating a motor vehicle, attending meetings, or doing collaborative meetings and working off-site. The Small Urban Specialist must be able to remain stationary for long periods of time; occasionally move about inside of an office to access filing cabinets, office machinery, and other tasks; constantly operate a computer and other office machinery; share accurate information with clients, and co-workers both in person and electronically; and occasionally work in outdoor weather conditions. A flexible work schedule may be permitted, subject to the approval of the NEORide Executive Director, provided it can be consistently maintained and meets the needs of NEORide and OTRP. Requirements to work more than a 40-hour workweek will be rare but may include extra hours on weekdays or weekends as circumstances require.

General Duties and Responsibilities

1\. Work onsite at least 75% of the time with assigned small urban transit authority(ies).

2\. Makes decisions and operates in accordance with established NEORide and OTRP policies and procedures. Proofreads and independently composes correspondence with small urban agencies, ODOT, and other required governmental agencies.

3\. Prepares reports, presentations, and summaries as needed or required.

4\. Assists Small Urban Public Transit Agencies with Technology deployments, scheduling and dispatching software, federal asset management, maintenance prevention software, and accounting and finance software.

5\. Perform other duties as assigned by the OTRP CEO and NEORide Executive Director.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

6\. Provides onsite compliance and technical assistance to Small Urban Public Transit Agencies.

7\. Analyze FTA Triennial Review findings and assist agencies in corrective actions to prevent repeat deficiencies.

8\. Provide subject matter expertise on applicable FTA and state grant programs, criteria, and timelines.

9\. Support Small Urban Agencies with procurement and contracting processes, policies, and clauses, as well as identifying cooperative purchasing opportunities.

10\. Track and report federal and state funding status, including drawdowns, unobligated, obligated, and committed funds.

a. Federal programs: Section 5307, 5339, and 5310

b. State programs: UTP, OTP2, and OWMP

11\. Facilities meetings between Small Urban Transits and ODOT personnel when necessary.

12\. Oversees grant management and assists with grant writing. Works with Small Urban Transit Agencies to identify grant opportunities.

13\. Provides or organizes training and documentation for Small Urban Transits when necessary for relevant issues.

Job Type: Part-time

Expected hours: No more than 34 per week

Work Location: Remote