Deputy Director or Director, Office of Disability Policy & Planning

Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA); Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 162,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension/401(k) match

Hybrid work

Transit benefits

Paid holidays

Parental leave

Flexible Spending Account

PSLF

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) seeks a Deputy Director or Director, Office of Disability Policy and Planning, to lead disability policy across the CTA, Metra and Pace region. You will shape ADA compliance, accessibility programs, and fare policies, while coordinating with Service Boards and external partners to ensure equitable transit access.

The role demands strategic leadership, policy expertise, and proven management experience. Hybrid work environment in the Chicago area.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Social Service, Psychology, Communications or related field.
• Master’s degree required for Deputy Director; desirable for Director.
• Certification in ADA compliance or accommodations preferred.
• Extensive leadership and supervisory experience in transit or public service.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and monitor the department’s annual budget and workplan.
• Oversee ADA accessibility policies across CTA, Metra, and Pace.
• Ensure minimum accessibility standards for vehicles, stations, and communications.
• Direct programs serving people with disabilities and other special populations.
• Oversee customer service operations and issue escalation processes.
• Build collaborative relationships with disability and community organizations.
• Lead ADA Advisory Council and engage with Service Boards and Directors.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Policy development

Regulatory alignment

Interpersonal

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business or related field

Master’s degree

Tools

ADA compliance certification

Job description

The Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA), formerly the Regional Transportation Authority, was created by the Illinois General Assembly and Governor JB Pritzker to make transit across northeastern Illinois work for riders as one regional transit system. NITA is seeking to fill a critical role with the newly formed Deputy Director or Director, Office of Disability Policy and Planning position for the Office of Disability Policy and Planning department. This leadership role oversees all activities associated with setting disability policies for the region, complying with ADA Paratransit Certification, and reduced/free Fare Programs. This role is responsible for directly or indirectly improving processes, ensuring state/federal compliance, coordinating with internal and external partners, and ensuring equitable access to public transportation.

NITA sets regional fares, service standards, and schedules across the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra, and Pace; plans and funds regional capital investment; and oversees the performance and finances of the three Service Boards serving riders across Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties.

As of September 1, 2026, NITA has expanded authority under Public Act 104-0457. People who join NITA now will help build the systems, policies, and partnerships that shape regional transit for years to come.

Accountabilities include but are not limited to:

• Develop, implement, and monitor the department’s annual budget and workplan, aligning resources with strategic priorities and compliance requirements. Strategize and provide input on Service boards’ budgets as it relates to disability policy and planning.
• Oversee the development, coordination, and implementation of regional ADA accessibility policies, ensuring compliance with federal and state mandates across all service boards (i.e., CTA, Metra, and Pace).
• Ensure the consistent application of minimum accessibility standards for vehicles, stations, facilities, digital communications, and operator training.
• Direct effective management and continuous improvement of federally and state-mandated programs serving people with disabilities, seniors, and other special populations, including ADA Paratransit Certification, Travel Training, and reduced/free fare programs.
• Oversee the performance monitoring and quality assurance processes to ensure all programs meet defined standards and service expectations.
• Manage and optimize the operation of Fare Programs, ensuring compliance with all relevant regulations, eligibility decisions are made timely, effective coordination with external partners and vendors, and equitable access to public transportation.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with organizations serving people with disabilities, seniors, and marginalized populations.
• Develop, implement, and manage the NITA ADA Advisory Council, ensuring community input, informs of policy, program design, and service delivery.
• Partner with Service Board staff and Boards of Directors to address performance, operational issues, compliance, and develop new initiatives.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures to efficiently handle customer information requests, complaints, and dissemination of travel information.
• Oversee all customer service operations, including improving processes for issue escalation, ensuring contactors are in compliance, and continually monitoring overall performance.
• Foster a work culture that’s focused on achieving measurable objectives by coaching staff, strengthening interagency relationships, and supporting your team. Supports the Agency’s Equal Employment Opportunity policies, goals and objectives.
• Perform other duties and assist in special projects as required or assigned.

The ideal candidate must have the following:

• The knowledge, skills, and abilities equivalent to a Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Social Service, Psychology, Communications or a related field required.
• Master's Degree is required for Deputy Director role and desirable for Director role.
• Certification in ADA compliance or accommodations preferred.
• Deputy Directors must have more than ten (10) years’ experience in transportation, public accessibility policy, social services, or customer service required. Directors must have seven to ten (7 - 10) years’ experience.
• Deputy Directors must have a minimum of five (5) years of demonstrated supervisory/management experience and Directors must have a minimum of three (3) years’ experience.
• Experience in transit operations is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across multiple external organizations.
• Deep understanding of ADA requirements and state/federal accessibility standards.
• Experience working directly with people with disabilities.
• Experience managing procurements, contracts, and intergovernmental agreements (IGAs) for program operations preferred.

Skills

• Strategic leadership: Capable of setting clear vision and direction, motivating teams, and guiding complex initiatives to achieve organizational goals.
• Policy development and regulatory alignment: Experienced in crafting, implementing, and evaluating policies to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
• Equity-centered service philosophy: Committed to ensuring that transit is accessible, fair, and inclusive for all community members, particularly underserved populations.
• Interpersonal: Ability to build trust, navigate differing perspectives, and develop productive working relationships across diverse internal, governmental, and community stakeholders.

NITA offers a highly competitive benefits package:

• Pension plan or 401(k) salary match provided by NITA at no cost to you
• 401(k) and/or 457 plan options
• Hybrid work environment and flexible work schedules
• Transit benefits to support your commute
• Twelve paid holidays and one floating holiday
• Competitive personal leave package
• Parental leave
• Flexible Spending Account
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Employee Assistance Program

A Deputy Director role typically offers salaries near $187,068 and shall consider a Director tier for candidates who fit the director role typically at salaries near $162,668. NITA offers competitive salaries with the possibility of a higher offer for highly qualified candidates. (The final scale of the classification for this position will be based upon the selected candidates demonstrated experience and qualifications.)

For more information about NITA, visit our website at https://nita.illinois.gov/.

Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-NITA employment while employed at NITA, or within one year immediately after ending NITA employment, the employee may be required to notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (“OEIG”) or may be subject to a fine.