Design Manager, Arterial Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)

The Metropolitan Council is the regional government for the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area, planning 30 years ahead and providing regional transportation, wastewater, and housing services. The Metro Transit Division operates one of the country's largest transit systems, offering buses, light rail, commuter trains, and resources for carpooling, vanpooling, walking, and biking. The Arterial Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) department plans, designs, and implements high-profile BRT corridor projects, such as the METRO A, B, C, D, and E lines, with active development on the METRO F, G, and H lines.

About the role

As the Design Manager in the Arterial BRT department, you will lead a team responsible for the design of stations, systems, and bus priority treatments on arterial BRT projects. You will manage and coach a growing team of professionals, oversee consultant teams, coordinate with cities, counties, and MnDOT, and provide engineering support during construction. This role contributes to regional prosperity and addresses inequity by expanding the Twin Cities' bus rapid transit network.

Responsibilities

• Supervision / Management:
  • Manage Metro Transit arterial BRT design staff in project engineering activities, including procurement of A/E and consultant services, corridor civil and systems design development, internal/external review of plans and specifications, and procurement of construction contracts.
  • Set clear expectations, develop work plans, manage progress, remove barriers, and coach staff to achieve project goals.
  • Develop positive coaching relationships and maintain ongoing communication with direct reports to support project tasks and ensure accountability.
  • Generate work plans for multiple projects to define capital project staffing budgets for design staff positions.
  • Report progress and barriers to the arterial BRT management team bi-weekly and define strategies to overcome challenges.
• BRT Corridor Project Engineering:
  • Develop scopes of work for engineering services, materials testing, and other consultant contracts, managing interdisciplinary efforts valued at $10-20 million per project.
  • Lead coordination with internal and external stakeholders to communicate BRT project goals, understand needs, and seek consensus in design solutions within budget and schedule.
  • Coordinate with arterial BRT project delivery staff, including Project Managers, Agreements Lead, and Environmental Compliance Lead, to inform design and construction decisions.
  • Develop plans, specifications, estimates, and other design documents for BRT projects, ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
  • Manage design reviews at 0%, 30%, 60%, and 90% completion, tracking and resolving stakeholder comments to ensure buy-in and plan signoff.
• Contract Management:
  • Develop scope and budget for engineering and construction administration services contracts, working with Procurement, Grants, and Finance staff.
  • Administer contract changes, including scope revisions and amendments, and manage scope, schedule, and budget of engineering contracts.
  • Supervise and provide QA/QC oversight on contracts managed by supervised staff to ensure compliance with policies and procedures.
• Procedures:
  • Develop, modify, and ensure compliance with technical policies, procedures, and standards for Metro Transit's BRT project activities.
  • Apply agency procedures to BRT engineering activities and ensure adherence by direct report staff.
  • Develop best practice documentation and project-specific procedures for common BRT issues where existing procedures do not exist.
  • Identify and manage updates to arterial BRT design standards, engaging stakeholders as needed.
• Construction Engineering:
  • Serve or supervise staff serving as contract project manager during the construction phase, coordinating with the Manager, Construction Services.
  • Direct consultant development of Invitation for Bid (IFB) documents and lead procurement and contract award of construction contracts.
  • Review and approve change orders, invoices, schedule revisions, and other contract actions for directly managed projects.
  • Manage interdepartmental coordination with Information Services, Facilities Maintenance, Revenue Operations, Street Operations, Asset Management, and other departments to ensure timely and on-budget project completion.
  • Supervise and provide QA/QC to direct report staff managing engineering on other projects.
• Support Pre-Engineering Project Phases:
  • Serve as BRT engineering subject matter expert for projects yet to enter engineering and early coordination for BRT-ready street construction projects.
  • Review corridor plan documents to identify engineering/constructability risks and advise on early station concepts.
  • Identify future BRT-ready needs on externally-led street construction projects and lead negotiation for early implementation of design needs.
  • Lead development of design document inputs on externally-led projects to coordinate placement of platforms, conduit, wiring, and other station requirements, minimizing rework and maximizing efficiency.

Requirements

Any of the following combinations of experience in multi-discipline engineering or architectural project management of capital construction projects and completed education in Engineering, Architecture, Transportation Planning, or a related industry. Experience must include three (3) years of supervisory experience or project team leadership:

• High School diploma/GED with ten (10) years of experience
• Associate's degree AND eight (8) years of experience
• Bachelor's degree AND six (6) years of experience
• Master's degree AND four (4) years of experience

Qualifications

• Valid driver's license and good driving record.
• Professional Engineering/Architecture registration from the State of Minnesota or ability to obtain such registration within six months of employment.