Finance and Contracts Specialist II

Description

The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) seeks to hire a Finance and Contracts Specialist II (hereafter, Specialist II) within its Municipal Collaboration Department. The Specialist II will assist the Department Director in the contract management and budgetary oversight of a variety of federal grants the Department implements. Specific duties include detailed monitoring of grant budgets, processing of contracts and purchase orders, reviewing invoices and reimbursement requests, as well as grant specific financial reporting at both the state and federal levels. The Specialist II will also have the opportunity to assist Departments throughout MAPC with similar tasks as needed. This position will provide an excellent opportunity for responsibility, learning, and career growth. The Specialist II is an integral part of an interdisciplinary team that works to advance public safety initiatives, as well as to bridge the digital divide, throughout the Commonwealth.

About MAPC

MAPC is the Regional Planning Agency (RPA) serving the people who live and work in metropolitan Boston. Our strategic priorities involve sustainable development, advancing equity, regional collaboration, and creating a climate-friendly region. We are guided by our regional plan, MetroCommon2050: Shaping the Region Together. MAPC’s staff includes approximately 120 full-time employees located in downtown Boston in a transit-accessible and bike-friendly office.

MAPC has a hybrid schedule, combining time in the office with remote work. Employees must reside within a commutable distance from MAPC’s Boston office.

MAPC strongly supports the professional development of every staff person, believing their growth to be consistent with the best interests of MAPC and the region. We encourage all our staff to develop new ideas to make MAPC’s planning and policy work more relevant and impactful, and to adapt to changing times.

This is an opportunity to work in a dynamic, interdisciplinary, and innovative environment with professionals who are committed to building a more sustainable and equitable future for everyone who lives and works in Greater Boston. For more information about MAPC or MetroCommon2050, please visit www.mapc.org.

The Municipal Collaboration Department specializes in assisting local governments to work more efficiently at the local level, and to work regionally by partnering with each other and private entities such as hospitals and public safety associations to make our communities safer. Our statewide team of experienced professionals provides planning, procurement, budgeting, reporting, administrative, project development, and contractor, vendor and project management services for the following initiatives:

• Serves as fiduciary for the Commonwealth’s four homeland security regions and associated regional advisory councils, managing grants from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security via the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS). MAPC provides additional support to one of these councils, the Northeast Homeland Security Regional Advisory Council (NERAC), serving as the program manager and facilitator of that group.
• Serves as the Sponsoring Organization for theRegion3 Health and Medical Coordinating Coalition (HMCC), a regional collaborative effort designed to strengthen and promote emergency preparedness and response capabilities of the region’s health entities and to share resources. This work is funded through the Massachusetts Department of Public Health - Office of Preparedness and Emergency Management.
• Implements MAPC’s Apartment Wi-Fi Program, which is funded by the Massachusetts Broadband Institute at the MassTech Collaborative under the Municipal Digital Equity Partnership, to support public housing agencies and affordable housing developers to build free access Wi-Fi networks for residents.

We welcome intelligent, thoughtful, and entrepreneurial professionals who are committed to improving the quality of life in Metro Boston and beyond.

Responsibilities (including but not limited to)

The Specialist II will be responsible for assisting the Department Director with contract management and financial monitoring duties for the federally funded programs identified above. This oversight includes budget monitoring, reconciliation, and reporting, as well as the processing and review of contracts, purchase orders, and invoices related to these programs. This is a position where attention to detail and the ability to multitask is key. The Specialist II will work with other members of the team to ensure grant spending is in compliance with all federal and grant specific requirements and will also be responsible to lend their expertise in these areas to other MAPC Departments as needed.

Specific duties will include:

• Monitor progress on budget spending;
• Draft contracts and purchase orders, using provided templates;
• Review invoices, reimbursement requests from municipal departments for approved activities, and other grant specific financial documentation for accuracy before payments are made and/or to ensure appropriate use of funds; and
• Complete financial grant reporting requirements to ensure compliance and responsiveness to grant guidelines and requests.

Evening events, occasional weekend events, and travel throughout Massachusetts (approximately 1-4 times per month) are a responsibility for this position. MAPC does not require that you have a vehicle; however, you must have a valid driver’s license and/or the ability to arrange transportation to meetings in different parts of the region. MAPC provides support fortravel, including MBTA passes, a Zipcar account, and BlueBikes membership.

Qualifications

Candidates should have a Bachelor’s degree and at least 3 years of progressive experience, including project management experience, OR a Master’s degree in a relevant field plus 2 years of related experience, including project management experience, OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Knowledge of federal government grant processes and systems;
• Ability to proactively set priorities and multi-task without compromising attention to detail;
• Excellent time management, organizational, and project management skills;
• Ability to analyze and solve problems independently in a resourceful and innovative manner;
• Understanding of multi-step financial processes and how to work within them in a team environment;
• Knowledge of federal and state financial regulations and budgets and how they interface;
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines;
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal);
• Ability to work with a wide variety of stakeholders;
• A professional demeanor and a positive “can do” attitude, with high customer service standards;
• Willingness to perform administrative functions as needed, such as filing, photocopying, and database management; and
• Advanced computer skills including working with MS Word, MS Excel, MS Outlook and Adobe.

Compensation and Benefits

How to Apply:

Apply online at www.mapc.org/jobs. The position is open until filled, and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume. Candidates selected to interview will be asked to submit three (3) references plus a sample of relevant writing or work product. Candidates must have legal authorization to work in the USA and a valid driver's license and/or the ability to arrange transportation to meetings in different parts of the region. MAPC participates in E-Verify, which is a federal program that helps us to determine work eligibility in the United States.

MAPC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that a staff with a range of perspectives, experiences, and skillsets strengthens our work. We are committed to building a more equitable workplace that allows staff with diverse backgrounds and identities to thrive, grow, and lead.