Cecilia Arritola
Boise
Summary
Results driven professional with strong background in grants/contracts management, strategic planning, budget analysis and project management. Successfully managed multiple grant portfolios, experience in financial analysis. Known for collaborative approach and relationship building with clients.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Grants Management Specialist-Rural/Tribal Advisor
Office of Secretary of Transportation (OST)
03.2023 - Current
- Manage and oversee the technical assistance and capacity building work for 36 tribal and rural communities - Thriving Communities Program.
- My primary role is a Grants Technical Advisor, with a focus in advancing infrastructure priorities for rural and Tribal communities.
- Monitor work plans and cooperative agreements for the capacity builder team and individual communities.
- Managed the grant application process, resulting in a higher success rate and more funds secured.
- Conducted debrief sessions for unsuccessful applicants for the FY '22/FY '23 Thriving Communities Program.
- Conducted grant application review for the Reconnecting Communities Grant Program.
- Conducted debrief sessions for unsuccessful applicants for the FY '22/FY '23 Thriving Communities Program.
- Part of the Proposal Review team for the Reconnecting Communities Institute.
- Conduct a thorough review of all NOFOs, Letter of Interest applications, and supporting grant records.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge on federal regulations related to grants management, ensuring full compliance across all activities.
- Supported program development by identifying new funding (philanthropic, federal, state, non-profit) sources and cultivating relationships with potential funders.
- Participate in ongoing grants management professional development opportunities to stay current with industry trends and best practices.
- Developed strong relationships with communities through regular communication and support
- Coordinate post-award activities such as contract negotiation, implementation planning, and progress monitoring for successful project execution.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams within several departments of DOT to provide grant support to TCP communities, ensure they were receiving the necessary support to advance grants and their infrastructure goals.
- Distribute grant requests for proposals, reviewed responses and recommended acceptance.
Senior Transportation Planner
Idaho Transportation Department
05.2017 - 03.2023
- Coordination with Metropolitan Planning Organizations, Local Highway Districts, Cities, and Counties
- Administer, plan, execute and coordinate planning projects with local agencies
- Provide guidance for all 5 of our Idaho MPOs statewide, provide long range planning support, financial forecasting & budgeting, audits, and project selection for certain types of Federal funding
- Strong role & presence in ensuring a continuing, cooperative, and comprehensive (3C) transportation planning process between ITD, MPO, and the transit operators, through sharing of information
- Manage, administer and implement Corridor Planning projects;
- Analyze existing transportation systems, travel modes and transportation plans;
- Evaluate economic growth potential and forecast requirements in terms of population, employment, transportation costs, and future land use;
- Develop and recommend alternative transportation improvements which best reflect state and community needs;
- Develop and administer consultant agreements and programming documents for expenditures of planning funds;
- Develop and analyze grant applications;
- Establish methods of monitoring and evaluating projects; Local coordination of transportation issues, prioritizing needs and facilitating projects; Prepares agenda items for department board meetings; present on various planning topics as needed
Grants/Contracts Officer - Planning Lead
Idaho Transportation Department
05.2017 - 04.2019
- Administer and monitor behavior safety programs to include the development of media campaigns, grant administration, evaluation & reporting of program outcomes, provide training and technical assistance to sub-recipients.
- Lead and initiate several task forces/committees
- Provide accurate crash data to decision makers, for use in highway safety program funding.
- Develop and implement performance measures in highway safety programs
- Identify safety trends through statistically based problem identification efforts
- Act as liason between the state and federal government and grantors.
- Develop grants/contracts close-out and summarization reports.
- Present at workshops and commission meetings, provide program updates quarterly.
- Provide technical assistance in grant development
- Conduct pre-award conferences and additional training as needed
- Assist in the development and implementation of goals, policies, and priorities relating to accounting and financial management activities
- Develop, monitor and review budgets for all behavioral safety programs
- Research and interpret National Highway Traffic Safety Administration programs as outlined in the Code of Federal Regulations, Policies and Procedures Guidelines.
- Financial management/administration for all highway safety grant programs.
- Planning manager for the Strategic Highway Safety Plan to include: develop and implement strategies for each of the 11 focus areas, act as a liason between committee members, assist with the implementation of individual task forces, provide technical data & information to committees upon request, responsible for successful stakeholder involvement and interaction
Grants/Contracts Officer
Idaho Transportation Department
11.2015 - 05.2017
- Developed contract templates to standardize documentation and ensure consistency across all agreements.
- Managed a portfolio of contracts and grants, ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and company policies.
- Mentored team members, fostering a collaborative work environment and continuous improvement culture within the contracts and grants department.
- Facilitated cross-functional project teams to ensure timely completion of contractual obligations while maintaining quality standards.
- Interpreting laws, regulations, and policies and advising on their requirements to DMV staff
- In this position, I managed all of the consulting and contractor agreements for the IT related projects I was responsible for contract administration of all contract and grant activities
- Evaluating statistical and financial information, technical activities where needed
- Identify contract risks and develop concise mitigation plan and detailed strategies
- Monitor and deliver contract/grants for all DMV focus areas, to include budget/finance
- Establish goals and priorities associated with with DMV contract/grant initiation, management, and close out
- Serve as liason between DMV and Division of Purchasing/ITD
- Provide expertise and leadership in the area of contract management, procurement, and grant development
- Develop, design, and implement a comprehensive contract management protocol that takes into consideration the lifecycle of various contracts and grants
- Provide oversight for all DMV grants to ensure that our agency is complying with state and federal guidelines.
Education
Associate of Arts - Ethnic Studies
Boise State University
Boise05-2028
Skills
- Program Management
- Technical assistance
- Strategic planning
- Budget monitoring
- Sourcing opportunities
- Effective communication
- Project management
- Transportation Planning
- Grants management
- Cultural sensitivity
Certification
- Grants Management Certificate Program (2023)
Secretary's DEI Award (US DOT Equity Team)
The Thriving Communities Program team was honored by Secretary Buttigieg for playing a key role in being part of advancing progress in institutionalizing equity as a core value and practice within DOT.
Languages
Spanish
Limited Working
Timeline
Grants Management Specialist-Rural/Tribal Advisor
Office of Secretary of Transportation (OST)
03.2023 - Current
Senior Transportation Planner
Idaho Transportation Department
05.2017 - 03.2023
Grants/Contracts Officer - Planning Lead
Idaho Transportation Department
05.2017 - 04.2019
Grants/Contracts Officer
Idaho Transportation Department
11.2015 - 05.2017
Associate of Arts - Ethnic Studies
Boise State University
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