Funding Liaison Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Description

Transportation Funding Analyst/Senior Transportation Funding Analyst/Principal Transportation Funding Analyst

Join OCTA's transportation funding team and help advance multi-modal transportation investments throughout Orange County. The Principal/Senior/Transportation Funding Analyst develops, analyzes, coordinates, and administers complex federal, state, and local transportation funding programs and related activities.

Depending on level, this position manages project funding, evaluates funding eligibility and compliance, develops funding strategies, and works closely with local agencies, funding partners, project managers, and policymakers. At the Principal level, the position provides technical leadership and subject matter expertise, oversees the delivery of local agency grant-funded projects, and mentors team members while helping shape strategies and processes that support OCTA's funding and project delivery goals.

This position may be filled at the Transportation Funding Analyst, Senior Transportation Funding Analyst, or Principal Transportation Funding Analyst level. Level of hire will be dependent upon the successful candidate's education and experience.

Transportation Funding Analyst is an exempt position in Salary Grade 195. Annual Salary: Min - $88,753.60 | Mid - $106,038.40 | Max - $123,302.40.

Senior Transportation Funding Analyst is an exempt position in Salary Grade 205. Annual Salary: Min - $101,275.20 | Mid - $120,307.20 | Max - $139,339.20.

Principal Transportation Funding Analyst is an exempt position in Salary Grade 215. Annual Salary: Min - $111,654.40 | Mid - $132,641.60 | Max - $153,628.80. Salary grade/range and starting salary will be within the applicable range based on qualifications.

This posting will remain open until a candidate is selected.

What You'll Do

• Administer and manage complex multi-modal transportation funding programs and projects involving federal, state, and local funding sources
• Manage project funding, monitor implementation, and track project scope, schedule, cost, expenditures, and funding requirements
• Administer or support calls for projects and assist local agencies in navigating funding requirements and eligibility criteria
• Assess projects and agencies for funding eligibility and ensure continued compliance with program guidelines, grant requirements, and funding terms and conditions
• Research and interpret transportation funding legislation, regulations, formulas, and program requirements and communicate impacts to appropriate stakeholders
• Prepare funding applications, allocation requests, financial programming documents, agreements, reimbursement requests, and required reports
• Develop and maintain program manuals, guidebooks, procedures, training resources, templates, and tools
• Prepare cash-flow analyses and support development of programs of projects to ensure funding availability and alignment with transportation priorities
• Develop and present reports, analyses, recommendations, presentations, maps, charts, and other materials for executive management, the Board of Directors, policy committees, local agencies, and other stakeholders
• Serve as a liaison among OCTA, local jurisdictions, funding agencies, consultants, project managers, and other stakeholders
• Provide technical guidance to local agencies and internal teams regarding funding requirements, project delivery, reimbursement, cooperative agreements, and compliance
• Support financial and grant-related audits and reviews and help resolve complex funding and project delivery issues
• Develop scopes of work, participate in consultant selection, and monitor consultant and contractor performance
• Identify opportunities to improve, streamline, or automate funding administration and payment processes
• Build and maintain relationships with funding agencies to maximize available revenues and promote continued cooperation
• Support annual budget development and other department funding and programming initiatives

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Planning, Engineering, Public or Business Administration, Economics, Management, Social Sciences, Communications, Finance, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Professional experience in transportation, financial analysis, grant writing, grant management, funding program administration, or a related field
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local transportation funding programs, regulations, and compliance requirements
• Demonstrated ability to interpret complex funding requirements and translate them into practical strategies and recommendations
• Strong financial, analytical, research, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects, funding requirements, schedules, and deadlines
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and stakeholder communication skills
• Ability to develop productive relationships with local agencies, funding partners, consultants, policymakers, and internal teams
• Experience preparing reports and presentations for executive, policy, or governing-board audiences
• Ability to provide technical guidance and collaborate effectively across organizational and agency boundaries

Three Career Levels

Transportation Funding Analyst
Typically requires a bachelor's degree in a related field and a minimum of two years of experience in transportation, financial analysis, grant writing, grant management, or a related field. This level supports the administration of funding programs, maintains project and financial information, assists with funding eligibility determinations, processes reimbursements, supports audits, and participates in developing funding recommendations and programming documents.

Senior Transportation Funding Analyst
Typically requires a bachelor's degree in a related field and a minimum of four years of related experience. This level independently administers transportation funding programs, manages project funding, conducts research and analysis, assesses funding eligibility, develops financial programming documents, and prepares funding applications and allocation requests. The Senior Analyst provides technical guidance to management and policymakers, serves as a liaison with local and funding agencies, and develops and presents materials for the Board of Directors, policy committees, stakeholder groups, and other audiences. Experience with funding programs, legislative requirements, or program compliance is desirable.

Principal Transportation Funding Analyst
Typically requires a bachelor's degree in a related field and a minimum of six years of experience in transportation, financial analysis, grant writing, grant management, or a related field. A master's degree is desirable. Working under minimal direction, the Principal Analyst serves as a subject matter expert and technical leader for complex transportation funding programs and grant-funded projects. This level provides advanced guidance to local agencies, management, and executive leadership; analyzes the implications of funding legislation and regulations; oversees project delivery and funding processes; develops strategies and process improvements; and helps ensure effective coordination among OCTA, local agencies, and funding partners. The Principal Analyst also coaches and mentors team members and may supervise staff, support professional development, and prepare performance reviews.

Why You'll Love It Here

• Help shape funding strategies that advance transportation projects throughout Orange County
• Work on complex federal, state, and local funding programs that directly support regional mobility
• Partner with cities, funding agencies, policymakers, and transportation professionals to move projects from funding to delivery
• Apply financial analysis, policy expertise, and strategic thinking to solve complex transportation funding challenges
• Influence improvements to funding, reimbursement, and project delivery processes
• Grow your technical leadership and subject matter expertise while helping develop other transportation funding professionals
• Make a meaningful contribution to transportation investments that benefit communities across the region

Join a team where innovation, integrity, and strategic thinking are valued. Apply now to help maximize transportation funding opportunities and advance projects that improve mobility throughout Orange County.

OCTA is an equal employment opportunity employer that recruits, hires, and promotes qualified people without regard to race, color, religion, creed, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, disability, genetic information, military and veteran status, or other legally protected status.