Chief Operating Officer

About the role

Nestled along the dramatic shores of Lake Superior, Duluth, Minnesota, offers an exceptional quality of life—combining a vibrant, welcoming community with world-class outdoor recreation, rich culture, and an incredible place to call home. As the next Chief Operating Officer of the Duluth Transit Authority (DTA), you will lead an already high-performing, agile agency recognized for operational excellence, strong service reliability, and steady ridership growth following our transformative system redesign. You aren't coming in to fix a broken network; you are stepping onto a solid operational foundation ready to be propelled into its next era of innovation.

All Transit Ranks Duluth #4 of 131 similarly sized metro areas. Ridership has grown over 45% since 2021. Only 15 of 320 eligible transit agencies rank higher than the DTA in performance categories, putting us in the top 5%. As COO, you will be a part of bold, cutting-edge projects—from advancing high-frequency corridors into full Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) to deploying next-generation transit technology and modern ticketing systems. This is a rare executive opportunity to command significant operational influence, lead a high-achieving team, and drive mobility forward in a city where your work makes a visible, daily impact.

Responsibilities

• Work with the CEO to determine the goals and needs of the Operations division.
• Implement programs and communicate solutions to attain stated goals.
• Administer company policy and monitor bus operator performance.
• Ensure that an adequate labor force projection is accurate.
• Accurately maintain all necessary records and assure the union contract is correctly interpreted and that its provisions are fairly and consistently applied.
• Prepare all reports as necessary. Review internal and external communications.
• Review data to determine the goals and needs of the division.
• Monitor the bus service delivery system and ensure that the public is receiving quality bus service that is safe, comfortable, on time, and efficient.
• Handle all Union relations and issues.
• Administer the FTA-required Safety Sensitive Drug and Alcohol testing program.
• Serve as a member of the company contract negotiating team for unionized employees. Conduct negotiations in accordance with fair labor practices.
• Assist in the development and management of the divisional budget.
• Represent the company at community functions and events as needed.
• Serve as a DTA representative on boards and committees as required.

Requirements

• Education or experience in mass transit, transportation, logistics, public administration, urban planning, or related field.
• Minimum of five years’ experience in personnel administration, labor relations, and operations management.
• Ability to coordinate, direct, supervise, and evaluate the work of subordinates and maintain confidentiality.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a diverse workforce.
• Ability to apply collaborative work strategies and gain the cooperation of all levels of employees.
• Ability to develop new or alternate methods, procedures, and policies which result in improved effectiveness, efficiency, and/or cost-savings.
• Ability to write, prepare, and proofread comprehensive written reports; establish and maintain positive working relationships with agency personnel, union representatives, board of directors, and the general public.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to exchange and/or convey information, receive work direction, and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of employees, committees and groups; and to diffuse situations/conversations that have escalated beyond normal limits.
• Organized, plans time, sets priorities, and meets critical deadlines.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, increasing based on paratransit experience.
• 12% match of salary to a company-sponsored money market pension.
• Training and Career Development Opportunities.
• Health insurance: full paid monthly premiums for employee & family, $500 deductible per person, max of $1,500 per family.
• Dental Insurance: fully paid monthly premiums for employee & family.
• Vision Insurance: fully paid monthly premiums for employee & family.
• Life insurance: fully paid monthly premiums for employee.
• Access to Minnesota Deferred Compensation Plan, a 401(k) and a Roth IRA.
• Free bus passes for employee and immediate family.
• Paid vacation.
• Paid sick time.
• Relocation assistance.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Flexible spending account (FSA).