Port Planning and Grants Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Foth is a 100% member-owned science and engineering consulting firm headquartered in Wisconsin, with over 85 years of success. Our 750 members across 33 locations are dedicated to solving our clients’ toughest science and engineering challenges . Consistently ranked by Engineering News Record in the top 150 firms, we offer a values-based, collaborative, and flexible work environment with professional growth opportunities. If you thrive working alongside a smart and caring team, Foth may be the place for you.

Join our team and experience the Foth difference that contributes to our impressive 92+% member retention rate ! Learn more at foth.com/careers. 

Foth is seeking a Port Planning and Grants Manager to help coastal and waterfront clients connect long-range infrastructure priorities with regulatory requirements and realistic funding strategies. This position can be based in any Midwest Foth office and requires limited travel.

The ideal candidate combines port or transportation planning experience with knowledge of environmental review, infrastructure policy, and public funding programs. This self-starter can work across technical, planning, policy, and client teams, exercise independent judgment, and clearly advise when a project is or is not a strong fit for a funding program.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Advise ports, municipalities, and transportation agencies on long-range infrastructure, capital improvement, and funding strategies
• Evaluate port, freight, rail, roadway, waterway, and multimodal needs to help clients prioritize investments and connect projects to broader transportation plans
• Assess project eligibility, readiness, and competitiveness for federal, state, and private funding programs; recommend alternative funding or project approaches when alignment is weak
• Develop, review, and submit competitive grant applications and supporting documentation in compliance with sponsor requirements
• Manage grant administration through award and post-award reporting, including milestones, deliverables, deadlines, and program metrics
• Lead environmental permitting and regulatory compliance for coastal and waterfront projects, including local, state, and federal approvals
• Conduct or oversee environmental documentation, including NEPA reviews, Environmental Impact Statements, Environmental Assessments, Biological Assessments, and technical reports
• Monitor transportation and maritime policy, regulatory requirements, industry trends, and funding programs to identify client impacts and opportunities
• Build relationships with clients, agencies, funding organizations, government officials, and other stakeholders while coordinating multidisciplinary teams
• Prepare implementation plans, presentations, reports, RFQ/RFP responses, and other client-facing materials

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Transportation Planning, Urban or Regional Planning, Public Policy, Civil Engineering, Environmental Science or Policy, Natural Resources, Maritime Studies, or a related field
• Minimum 7 years of experience in port, freight, transportation, or infrastructure planning; environmental permitting; regulatory compliance; grant development; or related consulting
• Experience translating client priorities into infrastructure, project, policy, or funding strategies
• Demonstrated experience evaluating or pursuing federal, state, or local infrastructure funding opportunities
• Experience coordinating regulatory reviews, environmental compliance, or public-sector planning processes
• Strong project coordination, technical writing, stakeholder engagement, and independent decision-making skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience supporting ports, coastal or waterfront infrastructure, freight systems, or multimodal transportation projects
• Experience with port master planning, capital improvement planning, freight planning, or infrastructure investment strategies
• Familiarity with federal transportation, maritime, infrastructure, and environmental policy and grant programs
• Experience reviewing engineering, architectural, or construction documents and coordinating multidisciplinary project teams
• Established relationships with port authorities, transportation agencies, regulatory agencies, funding organizations, or other public-sector stakeholders

The base compensation range for this position is included in this job posting. Actual compensation will vary based on factors such as relevant experience, geographic location, scope and level of responsibility, and applicable licenses or certifications. In addition to base compensation, eligible members may participate in Foth’s Earned Performance Incentive program and may receive other discretionary bonuses, including On‑the‑Spot recognition awards. Exempt members may also be eligible for quarterly and/or annual incentive opportunities, where applicable.

Eligible full-time and part-time members are offered a comprehensive benefits package, which includes medical, dental, and vision coverage; an employee assistance program; disability coverage; retirement benefits; paid holidays; paid time off; and a variety of voluntary benefit options.

This position may be filled at a different level based on the selected candidate’s qualifications and experience. If this occurs, the compensation range and eligibility for incentive opportunities may vary accordingly.

All Foth Companies are equal opportunity employers, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law. Qualified women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. All locations are tobacco-free.  Subject to applicable state law, all applicants who have received a written offer of employment and a copy of Foth’s Drug and Alcohol-Free Workplace Program Policy, will be required to undergo testing for commonly abused controlled substances. Applicants must complete the required drug testing within two business days of offer acceptance.  Foth will pay for all drug testing, which will be conducted by a licensed independent medical laboratory that follows testing requirements in accordance with applicable state law.

Colorado Residents: In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

Notice to Third Party Recruiters/Agencies: Foth does not accept unsolicited resumes from third party recruiting firms. Absent a signed recruiting agreement coordinated through Foth, Foth reserves the right to pursue and hire candidates without financial obligation to third party recruiters or agencies.

Artificial Intelligence: Foth uses artificial intelligence and other technology-assisted tools in connection with parts of our recruiting and hiring process, including to assist with reviewing application materials, identifying potentially qualified candidates, sourcing candidates, and supporting interview preparation. These tools are used to support, but do not replace, human decision-making, and all employment decisions are made by qualified human reviewers. Where required by law, we will provide additional information regarding the use of these tools, and applicants may contact us with questions or request reasonable accommodation regarding their use.