Transportation Operations and Maintenance Manager

Job Summary

The Bellevue Transportation Department, an APWA‑accredited agency, seeks a motivated leader for the Transportation Operations and Maintenance Manager position. Reporting to the Assistant Transportation Director for Mobility Operations, the manager will lead an experienced team responsible for streets and traffic signal maintenance, coordinate joint maintenance projects with Utilities, Parks, and Fleet Maintenance, and oversee emergency response to wind, snow, and ice events. The role includes supervision of a superintendent, three Working Crew Chiefs, a Senior Business Analyst, and a Program Manager, overseeing a total staff of approximately 43 full‑time employees represented by the Teamsters and IBEW unions. All work is performed out of the Bellevue Service Center.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Manages personnel, performance issues, disciplinary measures, and the evaluation of subordinates.
• Establishes performance goals for direct reports and supports the development of goals for all field staff.
• Serves as primary representative for management from the Transportation Department with the Teamsters and IBEW unions.
• Recruits, selects, supervises and evaluates technical and maintenance staff; provides general direction, ensures problem resolution, sets priorities, establishes workloads, and supports decision‑making.
• Establishes and maintains a working environment conducive to positive morale, individual style, quality, creativity, and teamwork.
• Recommends policies and procedures; ensures effective implementation and adherence.
• Responds to complaints from the public and other agencies; provides quality teamwork and customer service to internal and external customers.
• Develops, monitors, and manages operation budgets for the Streets and Signal maintenance teams.
• Oversees procurement, contract management and cost control; ensures fiscal responsibility and alignment with capital planning.
• Oversees development of employee safety programs.
• Oversees development of risk management strategies.
• Provides technical expertise and leadership in the functional area; solves complex maintenance and system issues.
• Coordinates with the Transportation Department design team managers to develop design practices that support long‑term maintenance.
• Serves on the Transportation Department’s Strategic Team with other department managers.
• Works under the general supervision of the Transportation Department Assistant Director for Mobility Operations.
• Exercises supervision over technical, maintenance, and administrative staff directly and through subordinate supervisors.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of: civil engineering principles, practices, and methods related to transportation infrastructure construction and maintenance; applicable city policies, laws, and regulations; quality improvement methodologies; public budgeting process.
• Skills: conflict resolution and negotiation; identifying emerging issues and implementing new approaches; advanced leadership and management practices; organization and planning in fast‑paced environments; effective oral and written communication; negotiation with employees, business units, agencies, and the public; planning, organizing, and monitoring activities according to priorities and deadlines; providing leadership, counsel, motivation, and constructive performance reviews; anticipating and resolving problems before crises arise; redefining departmental direction in response to changing city needs; developing and maintaining productive relationships with elected officials, community leaders, advisory boards, media, and the public; understanding and navigating the city’s political environment.

Education and Experience Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited two‑year college or university with a degree related to construction management or transportation operation and maintenance disciplines.
• Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in field operations and/or maintenance, including supervisory or lead‑worker experience.
• Or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Physical Demands

The position requires walking, talking, hearing, computer use, and manual handling of tools or controls. Vision requirements include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. Employees may need to push, pull, lift, or carry up to 20 pounds. The office environment is moderately quiet; field environments can be moderately loud. Reasonable accommodations are available for individuals with disabilities.

Schedule

This is a full‑time, exempt, non‑union position. After an orientation period, a hybrid work schedule is available, with remote work subject to departmental operational needs and discussed during the selection process. Full‑time remote work is not offered. Employees must reside in Washington State and be within reasonable commuting distance to Bellevue City Hall.