Description

The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) seeks to hire a Grants and Procurement Specialist (hereafter, Specialist) to oversee vital public safety, preparedness, and health related federal grants across Massachusetts. This position will provide an excellent opportunity for responsibility, learning, and career growth. The Specialist will partner with the Municipal Collaboration Department’s Director and other members of the team in the oversight and execution of grant management activities, as well as work with the Procurement Services Manager on special public purchasing projects. This position is an integral part of an interdisciplinary team that works to advance public safety and procurement initiatives throughout the Commonwealth. 

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 our regional plan, MetroCommon2050: Shaping the Region Together. MAPC’s staff includes approximately 100 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.
 
About the Municipal Collaboration Department

The Municipal Collaboration Department specializes in assisting local governments 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). 
Serves as the Sponsoring Organization for the Region 3 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. 
The Municipal Collaboration Department also specializes in assisting local governments, public coalitions, and professional associations in establishing and sustaining success through collaborative ventures. One of the Department’s core programs is the establishment and management of collective purchasing contracts for a range of goods and services critical to municipal functions. The Department administers contracts for public safety and public works vehicles and equipment used by cities and towns throughout New England, has procured a range of transportation and mobility devices and services, as well as worked with school districts on the procurement of healthy food for schools. Procurements that support the agency’s mission of smart growth and regional collaboration are always a priority.  

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.
  

Responsibilities (including but not limited to)

The Grants and Procurement Specialist will oversee the development and implementation of federally funded projects that serve to advance emergency preparedness and homeland security efforts across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This is a position where attention to detail and the ability to multitask 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). The Specialist will work with other members of the team to ensure each completed project is in compliance with all federal and grant specific requirements. Also included in the Specialist’s portfolio is the monitoring of grant finances and the completion of reporting requirements for the Homeland Security Regions and the HMCC. In addition, the Specialist will work collaboratively with other members of the MAPC Municipal Collaboration Team on various procurements on behalf of the agency and MAPC’s stakeholders that serve to advance MAPC’s mission.   
 
Specific duties will include:

Oversee public procurement and contract execution processes for all homeland security and HMCC grant funded projects in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws, policies, and procedures and applicable grant requirements. This includes projects to train public safety and emergency preparedness staff, projects focused on the procurement of equipment and services, and projects to develop and exercise public safety and emergency preparedness plans;
Manage homeland security and HMCC budget spending to grant guidelines, monitoring and reviewing allocations of funds and grant balances;
Review all vendor invoices and requests from municipal departments for backfill and overtime reimbursement for accuracy before payments are made and ensure appropriate use of funds with timely payment of all vendor invoices and reimbursement requests;
Complete homeland security and HMCC grant reporting requirements to ensure compliance and responsiveness to grant guidelines and requests;
Develop policies and procedures for grant funded equipment;
Oversee general homeland security and HMCC inventory tracking;
Oversee the tracking of homeland security performance metrics for grant funded projects; 
Serve as a resource for procurement related matters for the agency by:Advising MAPC staff and stakeholders on state and federal procurement requirements and procedures;
Conducting specialized procurements on behalf of the agency and relevant stakeholders in areas such as school food, transportation, and clean energy;
Reviewing bids and proposals for responsiveness to minimum procurement requirements; and
Build excellent relationships with public safety and health and medical leaders, as well as other stakeholders, at the local, state, and federal levels to enhance emergency preparedness and procurement activities that support cities and towns and advance MAPC’s mission.
Evening events, occasional weekend events, and travel throughout Massachusetts (approximately 1-2 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 for travel, including MBTA passes, a Zipcar account, and BlueBikes membership. 

Qualifications

Candidates for this position should have a Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience OR a Master’s degree and 1 year 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 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, MS Outlook and Adobe.
Per MAPC COVID-19 Vaccine Policy, all employees including remote employees must be fully vaccinated. This position will require the selected candidate to show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19, including up to date boosters.  MAPC will consider reasonable extensions or accommodations as required by law. 

Compensation and Benefits
The salary ranges from $67,000-$77,000 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 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.