Continuous Improvement Specialist

RTD - Regional Transportation District of Denver, CO (RTD); United States; On-site; USD 60,000 - 84,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee benefits

Job summary

RTD - Regional Transportation District in Denver, Colorado seeks a dedicated Specialist to advance continuous improvement across operations and maintenance, leveraging data analysis to identify gaps and drive sustainable actions.

You will work with frontline staff, supervisors, and leadership to promote standard work, support corrective actions, and embed improvement principles within daily routines across the organization.

Qualifications

• Associates degree required, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Two years of experience in Engineering, Operations, Quality, or Business preferred.
• Valid Colorado driver license or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire.
• Certifications related to continuous improvement (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma Yellow/Green Belt, ASQ CQIA/CQA, PMP) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate continuous improvement activities by helping teams identify performance gaps, risks, and inefficiencies, and support development of corrective and preventive actions.
• Conduct process reviews, observations, and assessments to evaluate effectiveness, compliance, and opportunities for improvement across operations and maintenance.
• Collaborate with supervisors and cross-functional teams to resolve process issues and enhance service delivery.
• Track improvement initiatives and maintain records of milestones and outcomes.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Facilitation

Collaboration

Data analysis

KPI development

Education

Associates degree or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

At Regional Transportation District (RTD), We make lives better through connections! When you join RTD, you will be among dedicated employees exhibiting RTD's values of passion, respect, diversity, trustworthiness, collaboration, and ownership. RTD is committed to an inclusive and diverse workplace. As part of our diversity value statement, we encourage our employees to honor diversity in thought, people, and experience. Come join RTD on this great journey to be the trusted leader in mobility, delivering excellence and value to our customers and community.

RTD Employee Benefits: https://www.rtd-denver.com/careers/benefits (RTD Represented Employee Benefits: Please refer to the Labor Agreement included in the above link for details.)

This position advances continuous improvement practices across RTD’s operations and maintenance functions to enhance safety, reliability, efficiency, and service quality. This role identifies process gaps, analyzes performance data, facilitates root cause analysis, and supports sustainable improvements aligned with organizational policies, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices. Working collaboratively with frontline staff, supervisors, and leadership, the Specialist promotes standard work, applies continuous improvement methodologies, and helps teams translate data and observations into actionable solutions. The position conducts targeted reviews of operational processes, supports corrective and preventive actions, and tracks implementation to ensure long‑term effectiveness. Additional responsibilities include supporting KPI development, performance measurement, trend analysis, and cross‑departmental initiatives that embed continuous improvement principles into daily operations. The role requires strong analytical, facilitation, and collaboration skills to influence change and foster a culture of continuous improvement across RTD.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

ESSENTIAL: Process Review and Analysis Facilitate continuous improvement activities by helping teams identify performance gaps, risks, and inefficiencies, and supporting development of corrective and preventive actions. Conduct process reviews, observations, and assessments to evaluate effectiveness, compliance, and opportunities for improvement across operations and maintenance. Analyze operational, maintenance, and quality performance data to identify trends, recurring issues, and systemic improvement opportunities; support KPI development and reporting. Promote standard work, process consistency, and data‑driven decision‑making, and support documentation of procedures, process changes, and improvement actions. Collaboration and Implementation Collaborate with supervisors, cross‑functional teams, contractors, and external partners to resolve process issues, integrate improvement principles into projects, and enhance service delivery. Participate in improvement‑related committees and initiatives while fostering strong cross‑departmental relationships and supporting a fair, inclusive work environment. Track improvement initiatives, milestones, and outcomes, verifying effectiveness through follow‑up reviews and maintaining accurate records. Support staff training and knowledge‑sharing on continuous improvement tools, quality concepts, and performance improvement practices. OTHER: All job‑related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

REQUIRED Associates degree required, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience. Two (2) years’ experience in Engineering, Operations, Quality, or Business is preferred. Must have a valid Colorado driver license or the ability to obtain it within 30 days of hire. PREFERRED Bachelor's degree Certifications related to continuous improvement or quality (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma Yellow/Green Belt, ASQ CQIA/CQA, PMP) are preferred. Two (2) years of experience supporting continuous improvement, process improvement, quality management, operations, or maintenance within a transit, transportation, or operational environment is preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Knowledge of regulatory frameworks relevant to transit operations (e.g., FTA, OSHA, FRA) and how they shape process design, compliance, and operational practices. Understanding of continuous improvement principles, problem‑solving techniques, and process improvement methodologies. Knowledge of operations and maintenance workflows in transit or industrial environments, including regulatory and policy considerations. Proficient in performance measurement, KPI development, data analysis, and data‑driven decision‑making. Ability to evaluate performance data, identify trends, and translate findings into practical, actionable improvement recommendations. Strong facilitation, collaboration, and communication skills for supporting teams through improvement efforts and cross‑departmental initiatives. Ability to influence without authority, support change management, and build trust with frontline staff, supervisors, and leadership. Proficiency using data systems and reporting tools to support performance analysis and improvement tracking. Experience applying continuous improvement methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, PDCA, or root cause analysis in an operational or maintenance environment. Experience working in transit, transportation, utilities, manufacturing, or other asset‑intensive industries. Familiarity with maintenance management systems, asset management systems, or operational data platforms. Experience facilitating cross‑functional improvement workshops, Kaizen events, or structured problem‑solving sessions. Experience developing KPIs, dashboards, or performance reports to support data‑driven decision‑making. Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite. Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing. Ability to use sound judgment. Ability to manage time and workload effectively, including planning, organizing, and prioritizing with attention to detail. OTHER: An equivalent combination of education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those required by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodations. Worker is subject to varying inside and/or outside temperatures, which may include extreme heat (temperatures above 100 degrees) or extreme cold (temperatures below 32 degrees). Work is performed both inside and outside. Subject to weather. Ability to independently travel between multiple locations as required by operational needs.

CAREER MAP

Based on job performance, experience, education and position availability the next step on the career map for this position may be: Manager, Quality Management Systems

Pay Range

Pay Range: $59,796.00 - $84,462.00 Annual

EEO POLICY AND ADA ACCOMMODATIONS

RTD is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. All applicants will be considered for employment regardless to the race, sex, disability status or any other characteristic protected by law and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. RTD is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, pre‑employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, promotions, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require a reasonable accommodation, please reach out to our Employment ADA Coordinator Kris Frazier at [e-mail], or the Talent Acquisition team [e-mail]. To learn more or see our EEO policy, please visit our EEO page at: https://www.rtd-denver.com/open-records/reports-and-policies/eeo-policy RTD posts a compensation range that represents a good faith estimate of what RTD anticipates paying for the position at the time of posting. Starting salary is based on the candidate’s relevant and verified education, training and work experience. Applicants should submit all relevant and verifiable education, training and work experiences at the time of application. RTD provides public transportation services in an eight-county region centered in Denver, Colorado. As a public agency, employees are dedicated to serving the public and providing for the transportation needs of over 3.1 million area residents as well as visitors to the region. Services include bus, rail, shuttles, ADA paratransit services, demand‑responsive services, vanpools, and more. The agency’s dedicated workforce epitomizes RTD’s mission of making lives better through connections. In 2024, the system had more than 65 million boardings, a number that has seen year‑over‑year increases since 2020. RTD employs over 3,100 people and has an operating budget of $1.5 billion. Together, RTD employees work hard to keep this region moving day and night. RTD is committed to full equal opportunity and affirmative action for all applicants and employees. Equal opportunity ensures all qualified applicants and employees are treated fairly and not discriminated against with regard to the individual’s race, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, political affiliation, or political philosophy. RTD participates in E‑Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I‑9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. If E‑Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers can only use E‑Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I‑9.