Deputy Chief Operating Officer (Vehicle Maintenance & Engineering)

OhioX; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 134,000 - 158,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Vision and dental insurance

Paid parental leave

Employee discounts

COTA bus pass

Wellness initiatives

On-site chair massage

On-site health coach

Tuition reimbursement

Student loan repayment program

OPERS pension and Ohio Deferred Comp

Job summary

Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) is seeking a Deputy Chief Operating Officer to lead strategic direction and oversee operational performance, safety, and customer-focused services. The role may oversee fixed route transportation, scheduling, and maintenance functions across multiple departments.

The DCOO will translate strategic priorities into measurable results, collaborate across the organization, and advance initiatives to improve reliability, efficiency, and service quality while

Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor's degree in Transportation, Business Administration, or related field.
• Ten (10) years of senior leadership in fleet operations, vehicle engineering, and/or preventive maintenance programs.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction and oversee safe, dependable operations.
• Lead operational planning, readiness, staffing, performance recovery, and continuity.
• Coordinate cross-functional decisions with other leaders and ensure accountability.
• Drive fleet modernization and sustainability initiatives.
• Represent the agency in external forums and ensure rider accessibility and customer experience.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Safety culture

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Transportation, Business Administration, or related field

Job description

Salary: $133,972.80 - $157,601.60

Location: 1600 McKinley Ave Columbus, OH

Benefits:

• Medical, Vision, Dental, Supplemental and Life Insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Discounts
• COTA Bus Pass
• Wellness Initiatives
• On-Site Chair Massage
• On-Site Health Coach
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Student Loan Repayment Program
• Public Pension through OPERS & Ohio Deferred Compensation

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Deputy Chief Operating Officer (DCOO) is responsible for the strategic direction, operational performance, safety, reliability, fiscal stewardship, workforce effectiveness, and continuous improvement of departments and services assigned by the Chief Operating Officer (COO). The DCOO translates COTA's strategic priorities into measurable results by leading various teams and collaborating across the organization to deliver safe, accessible, efficient, and customer-focused public transportation and supporting operations. The position may oversee any combination of fixed route transportation, scheduling, operations control, workforce training, paratransit, on demand and micro transit, customer care, vehicle maintenance, engineering, facilities, materials management, or other operational functions as designated by the COO.

Performs duties that advance COTA's Strategic Plan and reflect the organization's core values of safety, empowerment, accountability, teamwork, and service, and support the mission of Moving Every Life Forward.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Operational Leadership

• Provide strategic direction, set priorities and hold assigned departments accountable for safe, dependable, efficient and responsive operations.
• Lead operational planning, readiness, staffing, performance recovery, incident response business continuity, and service or asset availability as applicable to assigned functions.
• Coordinate cross-functional decisions and handoffs with other DCOOs and agency leaders; resolve issues without shifting accountability between departments.
• Advise the COO on emerging operational risks, resource needs, service impacts, and strategic decisions.

Safety, Compliance & Risk

• Promote a safety-first culture and implement applicable COTA policies, safety management practices, regulatory requirements, and corrective actions in partnership with the agency's designated safety and compliance functions. Ensure assigned operations meet applicable federal, state, local, ADA, labor, environmental, procurement, and asset related requirements.
• Direct preparedness for emergencies, severe weather, major incidents, and continuity of essential operations.

Strategic Planning & Innovation

• Collaborate with the COO to develop and implement strategies that enhance service reliability, operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
• Drive fleet modernization and sustainability initiatives, including transition to low- and zero-emission vehicles.
• Lead process improvements and adopt emerging technologies to improve scheduling, maintenance, and service delivery.

Financial, Asset & Contract Stewardship

• Develop, administer, monitor and manage operating and capital related budgets with a focus on fiscal responsibility, transparency, and alignment with strategic priorities.
• Monitor service performance metrics, ensuring cost-effective operations and continuous improvement.
• Present clear financial and operational forecasts, variances, risks and recommended corrective actions to the COO.

People Leadership & Labor Relations

• Provide leadership and mentorship to department directors and managers, fostering a high-performing, inclusive, and engaged workforce.
• Lead, coach, develop, and evaluate directors and managers; establish clear roles and responsibilities; and support succession planning to promote leadership and business continuity.
• Promote a culture of safety, collaboration, accountability, and innovation.
• Build constructive labor-management relationships and apply collective bargaining agreements and employment policies in partnership with Human Resources and Labor Relations.

Community & Stakeholder Engagement

• Represent COTA in external forums, industry associations, and with community stakeholders.
• Ensure decisions consider rider accessibility, customer experience, equitable service, and community needs.
• Partner with regional agencies, municipalities, and mobility providers to expand access and improve service delivery.

MINIMUM EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• Requires a bachelor's degree in Transportation, Business Administration, or related field and ten (10) years of experience providing senior leadership in fleet operations, vehicle engineering, and/or preventive maintenance programs. An equivalent combination of education and experience in business or transit operations will also be considered.

COTA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. All employment decisions are based on job needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, age, genetic information, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status