The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), the regional planning agency for Metro Boston, seeks to hire a Grants Management and Procurement Specialist (hereafter, Specialist) within the agency's Homeland Security Division of its Municipal Collaboration Department.  This individual must be a computer savvy, organized professional with effective communication skills who has solid public procurement and state and /or federal grant experience. The Specialist will work within the MAPC Municipal Collaboration Team on the execution of a variety of federal and state funded public safety grants.  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.
 
About MAPC
MAPC is the Regional Planning Agency (RPA) serving the people who live and work in metropolitan Boston.  Our mission is to promote smart growth and regional collaboration. We are guided by MetroFuture: Making a Greater Boston Region, our regional policy plan for the region, which was adopted in 2008.  We are currently working on a successor regional plan, MetroCommon2050, which we expect to complete by the end of 2021. MAPC's staff includes approximately 100 full-time employees located in downtown Boston in a transit-accessible and bike-friendly office.

While we are waiting for a time when it is safe to open our offices to all employees, interns will be working remotely.  All those applying to this position should be prepared to eventually work a hybrid schedule once our office reopens, with a majority of their work hours taking place in our office.  Candidates must reside in Massachusetts while they are working remotely.

MAPC encourages all of our staff to develop new ideas to make MAPC's planning and policy work more relevant and impactful, and to adapt to changing times.  We strongly support the professional development of each and every staff person, believing their growth to be consistent with the best interests of MAPC and the region.  For more information about MAPC, MetroFuture, and MetroCommon, please visit www.mapc.org.

About the Municipal Collaboration Department
The Municipal Collaboration Department specializes in assisting local governments, public coalitions, and professional associations in establishing and sustaining success through collaborative ventures. Through our Homeland Security Division, MAPC serves as grant recipient for Massachusetts’ four homeland security regions, managing grants from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security via the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS).  With funding through the Massachusetts Department of Public Health - Office of Preparedness and Emergency Management, MAPC also serves as the Sponsoring Organization for the Region 3 Health and Medical Coordinating Coalition (HMCC).  The HMCC is a regional collaborative effort between local Public Health, EMS, Long Term Care Facilities, Large Ambulatory Care Practices, Community Health Centers, and Hospitals to strengthen and promote the emergency preparedness and response capabilities of the region and to share resources.  In addition, MAPC oversees the Metropolitan Mayors Community Safety Initiative (CSI), a collaborative effort of 8 communities in the metropolitan Boston region.  The CSI is funded by EOPSS and brings together regional law enforcement and prevention partners to combat youth violence and gang involvement through law enforcement, job training, and after-school programs.  
 
Our statewide team of experienced professionals staffs the regional homeland security councils, the HMCC, and the CSI and provides planning, procurement, budgeting, reporting, administrative, project development, and contractor, vendor and project management services as partners with these groups.  Our team also provides additional support to the Northeast Homeland Security Regional Advisory Council (NERAC), serving as the program manager and facilitator of that group.  We work with our stakeholders to further public safety and emergency preparedness planning efforts in the region and to implement programs that help make the Commonwealth a safer place to live and work. We collaborate with other MAPC departments, as well as community partners, to promote  smart growth and regional collaboration. We welcome to our staff team intelligent, thoughtful and entrepreneurial professionals who are committed to improving the quality of life in Metro Boston and beyond.

Examples of Duties

This is a process-oriented position, where attention to detail is key.  Duties involve work in the purchase and contract execution of a variety of supplies, equipment, and professional consulting services required by the Massachusetts Homeland Security Regions and the Region 3 Health and Medical Coordinating Coalition (HMCC). Also included in the Specialist’s portfolio is the monitoring of grant finances and the completion of all mandated reporting requirements for the Homeland Security Regions and the HMCC, as well as work on behalf of NERAC in collaboration with two existing staff members that serve as program managers for NERAC.  
 
In addition, the Specialist will work collaboratively with the program manager for the Metropolitan Mayors Community Safety Initiative (CSI), which is a grant funded regional youth violence prevention initiative.  The Specialist will work with the CSI Program Manager to oversee grant finances and accurately complete all mandated reporting requirements.   
 
Specific duties will include:

• Coordinating the public procurement and contract execution process for all homeland security and HMCC grant funded projects (ie. projects to train public safety and emergency preparedness staff, to procure equipment and services, to conduct public safety and emergency preparedness exercises, to research critical security issues, and to establish systems and protocols to enhance public safety) in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws, policies, and procedures and applicable grant requirements;
• Acting as a liaison between vendors and homeland security and HMCC stakeholders;
• Assisting in managing homeland security, HMCC, and CSI budget spending to grant guidelines, monitor and review allocations of funds and grant balances, and ensure appropriate use of funds with timely payment of all vendor invoices;
• Completing homeland security, HMCC, and CSI grant reporting requirements to ensure compliance and responsiveness to grant guidelines and requests;
• Providing general homeland security, NERAC specific, and HMCC inventory tracking support;
• Tracking homeland security performance metrics for grant funded projects

Typical Qualifications

Bachelor's degree and a minimum of 4 years of relevant work experience.  Massachusetts Certified Public Purchasing Official (MCPPO) certification preferred.
 
 The successful applicant will demonstrate all or most of the following skills:

• Knowledge of state and federal government grant processes and systems;
• Prior experience in public purchasing processes and budget management;
• 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 processes and how to work within them in a team environment;
• 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 and MS Outlook.

Supplemental Information

Compensation and Benefits
Starting salary will range from $60,000 to $70,000 depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full-time exempt position. MAPC offers excellent Massachusetts state employee benefits as well as a flexible, supportive, and family-friendly work environment and a commitment to continued professional development.

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 and Affirmative Action 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. For more information on MAPC’s culture of equity, see our  Equity at MAPC page.