Transit Operations Manager

About the role

The Transit Operations Manager oversees the daily operation, regulation, compliance, and long-term planning of Charlottesville Area Transit (CAT) within the Operations Division. The position is under limited supervision and reports to the Assistant Director of Transit Operations.

Responsibilities

• Plans, manages, monitors, schedules, and directs work performance of staff, making final decisions on hiring, disciplinary actions, performance evaluations, setting program/work objectives and realigning work and staffing as needed in accordance with established personnel policies and procedures.
• Supervises, coaches, trains, motivates, assigns work activities, evaluates performance, and overall management of subordinate staff; interviews, selects, and administers disciplinary action to subordinate employees, in accordance with established personnel policy and procedures. Establishing professional standards for work quality, quantity, performance, and accountability.
• Makes decisions regarding employee performance and compliance with safety standards by reviewing time records, GPS data, bus and facility video footage, direct observation, and communication with staff to ensure duties are performed safely and efficiently.
• Ensures operators meet uniform and equipment standards, and hold appropriate licensing, training, and certifications.
• Manages, enforces, develops, and implements written policies and procedures.
• Ensures daily service needs are met, including re-assignment of personnel, re-routing of vehicles, and dispatching additional drivers/vehicles as needed.
• Collects, tracks, and analyzes operational data (e.g., mileage, ridership, driver/bus hours, financial reports, etc.) compiles reports for performance monitoring, cost analysis, and forecasting, including required submissions to state and local systems.
• Communicates with operators, other supervisors, and dispatch via two-way radio or phone to report traffic conditions, vehicle issues, or passenger/stakeholder concerns.
• Develops, evaluates, recommends, and implements routes, schedules, and service plans, including adjustments for service interruptions, school closures/delays, inclement weather, or emergencies.
• Maintains office technology by coordinating or implementing new software and updates, assisting employees with day-to-day technical issues, and supporting skill development to ensure effective use of systems.
• Maintains a safe and clean work environment.
• Assists in the preparation, control, and monitoring of division budget and makes recommendations on budgetary needs.
• Assists subordinate supervisors in developing and conducting pre-service and in-service training.
• Identifies potential safety hazards and reviews preventable accidents/incidents to provide feedback for drivers to be incorporated into daily operations, procedures, and training.
• Responds to bus accidents/incidents, following established procedures and completing post-accident investigations and documentation.
• Enforces departmental safety and work procedures and provides on-going employee training in City policies, safety procedures, including job safety, state required materials, local safety guidelines, and the recognition and elimination of hazards.
• Performs all requirements and has knowledge of Department of Transportation and Federal Transit Administration requirements for transit bus operation and VA State School Bus requirements.
• May support ADA compliance by monitoring stops, stations, and transfer locations to ensure they meet federal, state, and local accessibility standards.
• May coordinate with the City’s ADA Coordinator to address service delivery complaints and implement necessary changes.
• May ensure division supervisors are trained to recognize ADA-related system deficiencies and take appropriate action to maintain compliance.
• Performs additional duties to support operational requirements as apparent or assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in public, business, or transportation administration AND three (3) years of responsible supervisory or management experience in public transit operations or a closely related field.
• Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in public, business, or transportation administration AND five (5) years of responsible supervisory or management experience in public transit operations or a closely related field.
• High School diploma or GED AND seven (7) years of responsible supervisory or management experience in public transit operations or a closely related field.

Qualifications

• Required to successfully pass a pre-employment background check, pre-employment drug screen (Virginia Department of Transportation), pre-employment physical, and a pre-employment DMV driving record review.
• Must have a valid appropriate driver’s license issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia or ability to obtain one by employment start date and maintain an acceptable driving record in accordance with City criteria.
• Required to possess a Class B Virginia Commercial Driver’s license with passenger, school bus, and air brake endorsement within ninety (90) days of start date.
• Satisfactory completion of a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Clearinghouse Query may be required.
• Subject to Federal DOT drug and alcohol testing regulations.
• May require possession of CPR and First Aid certifications or the ability to obtain within three (3) months of employment start date.
• May require possession of a School Bus Trainer Certification or obtain within six (6) months of start date.
• Required to successfully complete the Virginia Department of Education training curriculum.
• Required to successfully pass the EB.001 School Bus Driver Application for Physician Certificate annually.