Deputy Administrator, Commuter Services Board

Maryland Department of Transportation; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 121,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Maryland Transit Administration is seeking a Deputy Administrator, Commuter Services Board, an executive role within the DOT framework. This position oversees board governance, reporting, and strategic advisory functions to advance MTA's mission across agencies and with external partners.

The role requires strong executive management, stakeholder engagement, and coalition-building, with responsibilities spanning advisory oversight, governance, and cross-functional leadership to deliver major

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in public administration, government relations, political science, business administration, communications, planning, engineering, or a related field.
• Fifteen (15) years of experience in public transportation, transportation planning, operations, or related areas, with senior management experience.
• U.S. Armed Forces service may be substituted for education/experience per policy.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Agency Representation: lead as an executive representative with stakeholders and partners.
• Board Reporting & Decision Support: manage board reports, budget reviews, and timely materials.
• Cross-Functional Coordination & Implementation: coordinate with ops, planning, finance, legal, and project leadership.
• Stakeholder & Government Relations: build relationships with officials, riders, groups, and boards.
• Strategic Advisory & Issue Management: identify issues needing board/executive attention and advise on actions.
• Reports Directly to Executive Leadership: provide high-level support to the Administrator.

Skills

Executive leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Coalition-building

Strategic communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Maryland Transit Administration

Join the Team That Moves Maryland!

Now Hiring: Deputy Administrator, Commuter Services Board (DOT Executive VII) (8033)

(Executive Service)

Salary Range: $120,722 - $190,376 annually

Estimated Hiring Range: $156,171 - $169,047 annually, based on qualifications and experience.

Are you ready to take on a career where your work directly impacts the lives of thousands of Marylanders every day? Do you thrive in fast-paced environments, enjoy solving real-time challenges, and feel motivated by meaningful public service?

If so, the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) wants you on our team.

The Deputy Administrator will serve as an executive leader within the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) and as the agency's executive liaison to the newly established Commuter Services Advisory Board. The position is responsible for fostering collaboration and communication across agency departments to advance MTA's mission while overseeing board governance and operations. Responsibilities include facilitating the administrative, strategic, cross-functional, and interagency work required to support informed board decision‑making.

Success in this role requires strong executive management, stakeholder engagement, and coalition‑building skills. The Deputy Administrator will regularly engage with the Governor's Office, the Maryland General Assembly, the Secretary's Office, advocacy groups, and local government representatives. The position oversees official board processes, records, and reporting, ensuring compliance with the Maryland Open Meetings Act. Additional responsibilities include supporting board and subcommittee actions on major plans and priorities, and exercising independent judgment in resolving agency issues, directing follow‑up, and advancing implementation of MTA's and the boards' goals.

The Deputy Administrator, Commuter Services will be responsible for facilitating informed advisory oversight by the Commuter Services Advisory Board. This includes collaborating with senior MTA staff to inform the Advisory Board about operational metrics, service delivery, contractual relationships, capital projects, and rider satisfaction. Additionally, this position will advance strategic plans and initiatives for commuter service for board review and input including but not limited to the MARC Growth and Transformation Plan and future major projects initiatives like the Silver Spring Turnback and Amtrak joint benefit projects. This position will also work with MTA's planning team to advance efforts to improve commuter bus service, information sharing, and coordination throughout the state. The position will also ensure collaborative review of MTA's commuter service capital and operating budgets within defined timelines.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Agency Representation: Supports MTA's mission, vision, goals, and core values while demonstrating executive leadership and serving as a visible agency representative with internal and external stakeholders, government officials, advocacy organizations, and the business community.
• Board Reporting & Decision Support: Leads board-related reporting, budget reviews and approvals, and other time‑sensitive processes by coordinating with subject matter experts to develop accurate data, recommendations, presentations, and clear, decision‑ready materials that meet accessibility and reporting requirements.
• Cross-Functional Coordination & Implementation: Partners with operations, planning, finance, legal, communications, external affairs, and project/program leadership to prepare strategic matters for board consideration and ensure board directives and approved actions are assigned, tracked, escalated, and implemented timely.
• Stakeholder & Government Relations: Develops and maintains productive relationships with elected officials, jurisdiction partners, riders, advocacy groups, board members, and other stakeholders while addressing sensitive inquiries, resolving complex issues, supporting advocacy efforts, and representing MTA programs, policies, and priorities.
• Strategic Advisory & Issue Management: Identifies emerging operational, financial, policy, and stakeholder issues requiring board or executive attention; exercises delegated to a decision‑making authority; advises the Administrator on risks and recommended actions; and supports board committees, work groups, special initiatives, and other strategic priorities.
• Reports Directly to Executive Leadership: This position reports directly to the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) Administrator, providing high‑level support and carrying out key responsibilities and priorities on behalf of the Administrator.

This position directly supports MTA's mission by strengthening governance, coordination, and accountability for Baltimore's core transit services. As the executive liaison to the Baltimore Core Transit Service Board, the Deputy Administrator helps align Board priorities, agency operations, capital investments, service delivery, and stakeholder engagement so MTA can provide safe, reliable, accessible, and customer‑focused transit service to the communities it serves.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in public administration, government relations, political science, business administration, communications, planning, engineering, or a related field or discipline.

Experience: Fifteen (15) years of experience in public transportation, transportation planning, transportation operations, public administration, government, public policy, infrastructure delivery, or a closely related field where customer service, community engagement and value‑based service were necessary. *At least five (5) years of the required experience must have included senior management experience or administrative and supervisory responsibility.

*Selective Qualification recruitments are utilized when the position requires specific or additional bona fide occupational qualifications (knowledge, skill, or ability). No substitution is allowed for a selective qualification.

• U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as defined under the Minimum Qualifications may be substituted for the required education and experience on a year‑for‑year basis.

Licenses & Certifications

Employees in this classification may be assigned duties that require operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator's license valid in the state of Maryland.

Additional Information

Managers should foster a positive safety culture by leading with integrity and establishing departmental safety practices and procedures for all employees. Managers should attend and participate in safety meetings and adhere to and enforce all safety rules, policies, regulations, and personal protective equipment requirements to support a safe and healthy working environment. Ensure employees are properly trained and provided with personal protective equipment to conduct their job functions in a safe manner. Report hazards, unsafe acts, near misses, injuries, and accidents immediately to the Office of Safety. Collaboratively work to mitigate reported hazards in a timely manner. Conduct safety risk assessments and/or job hazard analyses as needed.

To support a safe and healthy work environment, employees must refrain from willful violations of safety rules and procedures, reckless and negligent behavior, involvement in criminal activities, and the misuse of drugs or alcohol. Failure to adhere to this requirement may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination. May only perform work for which they have the appropriate safety training.

Reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities will be provided as requested.

The incumbent in this position is not a member of a covered bargaining unit.

The Maryland Department of Transportation is not sponsoring new employees in application of the H-18 Visa at this time due to budgetary constraints. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Federal regulations prohibit H1B Visa candidates from paying sponsorship fees; all sponsorship fees must be assumed by the potential employer.

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WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

MTA does not discriminate based on age, ancestry, color, creed, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, mental or physical disability, national origin, race, religious affiliation, belief or opinion, sex, or sexual orientation, or any other protected status.

Issue Date: 09/09/2026