Director, Field Operations
Metropolitan Transportation Authority
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority seeks a Director of Field Operations for MTA Bridges and Tunnels, based at Randall’s Island. The role leads emergency management, field operations, and incident response initiatives across the agency’s 24/7 bridge and tunnel network.
The Director translates strategy into executable programs, coordinates with NYPD, NYMTA, and state partners, and oversees training, exercises, and after-action improvements. Telework is allowed one day per week.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in arts/sciences (BA/BS) from an accredited institution.
- Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in emergency management or related field.
- Minimum 5 years of management or supervisory experience in a large organization.
Responsibilities
- Coordinate Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activities during emergencies and major events.
- Lead field operations and coordinate resources across departments and partners.
- Develop and implement emergency management plans, training, and exercises.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
Description
Job Title:Director, Field Operations
Resume Date: October 2, 2026
Department:Security & Operations
Work Location:Randall’s Island
Job Family/ Grade: SAS 008
Earnings Potential:$126,098-$157,623
MTA Bridges and Tunnels reserves the right to remove this posting before the application deadline
MTA Bridges and Tunnels operates the largest bridge and tunnel network in New York City, managing nine crossings that include seven bridges and two tunnels. Serving more than 336 million vehicle crossings each year, this network connects communities across the five boroughs and supports regional mobility. In addition, MTA Bridges and Tunnels oversees the Congestion Relief Zone, working to ensure safe, efficient travel and a more sustainable urban environment. MTA strives to provide a safe and reliable commute, excellent customer service, and rewarding opportunities.
Telework
This position is eligible for telework which is currently one day per week. New hires are eligible to apply 30 days after their effective date of hire.
Job Summary
The Director Field Operations is located within the Security, Operations and Revenue Recovery program/department and provides day-to-day programmatic and operational leadership for assigned functions within the Emergency Management and Planning Unit. Under the direction of the Senior Director, Emergency Management, the Director translates emergency management strategy, policy, and priorities into executable programs, plans, training, exercises, operational readiness initiatives, and field-based activities supporting the agency's mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. The Director is responsible for leading assigned emergency management training and exercise programs, operational readiness activities, situational-awareness processes, field coordination, emergency response initiatives, special-event preparedness, and after-action and continuous improvement activities. The position coordinates resources and activities across B&T departments and with MTA Headquarters, New York City and New York State emergency management and public-safety partners to support the safety, security, resilience, and operational continuity of the agency's 24/7 bridge and tunnel operations and associated facilities. The Director exercises independent tactical and programmatic judgment within established agency policies, emergency management frameworks, and delegated authority. The position provides functional direction, workload coordination, and guidance for assigned staff, initiatives, and program resources and may assume direct managerial responsibilities as the Emergency Management and Planning function expands. During emergencies and major planned events, the Director may serve in an assigned Incident Command System (ICS) role, coordinate Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activities, facilitate resource and stakeholder coordination, and make time-sensitive operational decisions within delegated authority. The Director represents the agency with internal and external partners within the scope of assigned responsibilities and delegated authority and serves as a key operational leader within the Emergency Management and Planning Unit. The Director provides continuity of operational leadership during emergencies, major planned events, or the Senior Director's absence or when authority is delegated, while the Senior Director maintains primary responsibility for overall emergency management strategy, governance, policy, risk oversight, and executive and interagency coordination.
Responsibilities
- Training and Exercises: Develop, coordinate, and lead emergency management training programs, drills, and exercises in accordance with applicable emergency management standards and Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) principles. Identify organizational and employee training needs and ensure personnel maintain required knowledge and proficiency.
- Operational Readiness: Evaluate and maintain readiness of emergency response resources, equipment, facilities, procedures, and personnel. Identify readiness gaps and coordinate corrective actions to strengthen the agency's ability to respond to emergencies and planned events.
- Exercise Evaluation: Lead exercise planning, execution, evaluation, and after-action activities and incorporate identified improvements into training, plans, and operational procedures.
- Emergency Operations: Coordinate assigned agency Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activities during emergencies, disasters, and major planned events and facilitate coordination of personnel, resources, and operational information.
- Incident Response: Serve as an assigned unit or section leader within the Incident Command System (ICS) during major events and emergencies, providing operational direction and coordinating assigned personnel and resources within delegated authority.
- Field Coordination: Lead field-level implementation of emergency management plans and procedures and coordinate with B&T operational units to support timely response, protective actions, resource deployment, and continuity of operations.
- Crisis Leadership: Make time-sensitive tactical and programmatic decisions within established emergency management plans, policies, ICS responsibilities, and delegated authority and escalate significant risks or issues to the Senior Director and agency leadership as appropriate.
- Emergency Management Planning: Develop, maintain, and implement comprehensive emergency management plans, annexes, procedures, and operational protocols addressing all-hazards incidents, including natural and human-caused disasters, pandemics, terrorism, infrastructure disruptions, severe weather, and planned events.
- Situational Awareness: Lead processes for monitoring weather, infrastructure conditions, traffic impacts, security concerns, external hazards, and other conditions affecting agency operations. Develop and disseminate timely situational-awareness reports and essential elements of information (EEIs) to support leadership decision-making.
- Preparedness: Translate established emergency management priorities into actionable preparedness initiatives and coordinate implementation across affected B&T departments and facilities.
- Risk Reduction: Conduct and coordinate risk assessments and identify vulnerabilities affecting agency facilities, infrastructure, operations, personnel, and customers. Implement approved mitigation strategies to reduce identified risks.
- Resilience and Continuity: Implement continuity of operations (COOP), resilience, and recovery initiatives and coordinate corrective actions designed to strengthen organizational preparedness and operational continuity.
- Recovery: Support implementation of recovery strategies following emergencies and incidents, including restoration of operations, infrastructure, resources, and critical services.
- Special Events: Lead or coordinate emergency preparedness, field operations, and response planning for major and special events, including the NYC Marathon, Five Boro Bike Tour, and other planned or ad hoc events.
- Stakeholder Coordination: Develop and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external partners, including MTA Headquarters, NYC Emergency Management, NYPD, NYS emergency management partners, public-safety agencies, and other stakeholders.
- Interagency Coordination: Coordinate emergency management activities, exercises, response operations, and preparedness initiatives with external partners to support an integrated response and common operating picture.
- After-Action and Corrective Actions: Lead collaborative after-action reviews following emergencies, exercises, training activities, and major planned events. Identify deficiencies, develop corrective actions, assign responsibility, and track implementation.
- Program Management: Manage delegated emergency management programs, initiatives, projects, and work plans and ensure activities are completed in accordance with established priorities, schedules, and performance objectives.
- Program Maturity: Evaluate program capabilities, identify gaps and emerging risks, and recommend improvements to training, preparedness, response, field operations, planning, and continuity programs.
- Reporting: Develop and maintain program performance measures, reporting templates, and status reports and provide timely updates to the Senior Director and leadership.
- Leadership: Serve as the operational second-in-command to the Senior Director, Emergency Management, providing day-to-day leadership and coordination for delegated Emergency Management and Planning Unit activities.
- Staff Direction: Provide functional direction, task assignments, workload coordination, and guidance to assigned analysts, specialists, and other personnel. May exercise direct supervisory responsibility as the organizational structure expands.
- Delegated Authority: Represent the agency in meetings, exercises, emergency activations, and other activities within delegated authority.
- Continuity of Leadership: Serve as Acting Senior Director when specifically delegated or during the Senior Director's absence, consistent with established authority and organizational protocols.
- Strategic Implementation: Support the Senior Director in developing annual priorities and program maturity initiatives by providing operational insight, performance information, risk assessments, and recommendations.
- Performs other duties as assigned
- Complies with all policies and standards
- May be required to work hours outside regular work hours, as applicable
- Observes the work performed by contractors, as applicable
- Reviews invoices and approves them if the work has contractual standards, as applicable
- Addresses performance issues with the contractor, when possible, as applicable
- Escalates issues to other parties when needed, as applicable
- Bachelor’s degree in arts/sciences (BA/BS) from an accredited institution in Emergency Management, Homeland Security, Public Administration, Criminal Justice, Security Management, Disaster Management, Emergency Services, Transportation, Project Management, or a related field. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
- Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in emergency management, emergency preparedness, disaster response, crisis management, operational readiness, continuity planning, public safety, transportation operations, security, or a closely related field.
- Minimum 5 years of management or supervisory experience with responsibility for programs, operations, personnel, or emergency response activities in a large, complex, multi-faceted organization.
- Demonstrated experience developing, implementing, or evaluating emergency management plans, training programs, exercises, response protocols, operational readiness initiatives, or related programs.
- Demonstrated experience coordinating emergency preparedness or response activities across multiple internal departments and external public-safety, emergency management, governmental, or interagency partners.
- Significant experience managing complex programs or initiatives within a government agency, transportation organization, public-safety organization, or other highly complex operational environment.
- Knowledge of emergency management principles and practices, including mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery, continuity of operations, risk reduction, and operational resilience.
- Working knowledge of the Incident Command System (ICS), National Incident Management System (NIMS), and Emergency Operations Center (EOC) operations.
- Demonstrated ability to assess rapidly changing conditions, synthesize complex information, identify operational risks, prioritize actions, and make sound time-sensitive decisions in high-pressure environments.
- Proven leadership ability, including providing functional direction, assigning work, coordinating workloads, developing staff, and promoting accountability and continuous improvement.
- Proven ability to collaborate with a broad range of stakeholders and drive outcomes across organizational and functional boundaries.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare concise, accurate, and professional reports, briefings, situational-awareness updates, and other materials for senior-level leadership under tight deadlines.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and document management software.
- Ability to work effectively in a high-profile, high-pressure environment and respond appropriately to changing operational conditions
- Must be available to respond on-site to emergencies, disasters, and major planned events and participate in emergency response activities.
- Must be available to work flexible hours, including nights, weekends, holidays, and other non-standard hours, as required by operational needs.
- Must be able to participate in a 24/7/365 on-call rotation or emergency response coverage schedule, as assigned.
- Must possess a valid driver's license and be able to travel between B&T facilities and other locations as required.
- Master’s degree in arts/sciences (MA/MS) Emergency Management, Homeland Security, Public Administration, Security Management, Disaster Management, or a related field.
- Demonstrated ability to develop, implement, and evaluate emergency management plans, response procedures, operational readiness programs, and incident response activities.
- Demonstrated program management skills, including the ability to establish priorities, coordinate resources, monitor performance, manage competing priorities, and drive initiatives to completion.
- Knowledge of emergency management and operational technology platforms such as WebEOC, Everbridge, Power BI, Tableau, and Visio
- Knowledge of bridge, tunnel, transit, tolling, transportation, or other critical infrastructure operations.
- Experience working in a 24/7 operational environment.
- Knowledge of applicable federal, State, and local emergency management laws, regulations, standards, and best practices.
- Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) credential or certified business continuity practitioner.
- Completion of FEMA Independent Study Courses -- NIMS - IS 100, 200, 700 and 800.
Other Information
To be eligible for consideration for a new role, current MTA employees must complete at least one year of service in their current role prior to applying. Additionally, eligibility to interview is contingent upon maintaining a satisfactory record of job performance, attendance, and disciplinary conduct.
Pursuant to the New York State Public Officers Law & the MTA Code of Ethics, all employees who hold a policymaking position must file an Annual Statement of Financial Disclosure (FDS) with the NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (the “Commission”).
MTA Bridges and Tunnels is governed by the Civil Service Rules and Regulations administered by the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS).
How To Apply
For Internal Applicants:Log in to the My MTA Portal, click on the My Job Search tile, select the Careers link, search for the desired position, click Apply, and follow the on-screen instructions.
For External Applicants:Visitwww.mta.info, click the “Careers” link located in the footer under the "The MTA" section, then click on “See All Open MTA Positions”. Search for the desired position, click Apply, and follow the instructions.
Comprehensive Benefits & Total Rewards Package
- Commuting Made Easy – Enjoy a complimentary MTA transportation pass, plus access to tax-advantaged commuter benefits to maximize your savings.
- Premium Health Coverage at Low Cost – Access high-quality individual, family and domestic partner healthcare, dental, vision and life insurance plans.
- Secure Your Future – Build long-term financial security through pension plans and retirement savings accounts designed for eligible employees.
- Generous Time Away – Recharge with substantial paid time off and comprehensive holiday schedules that support your personal and family commitments.
- Holistic Support Services – Access our dedicated Work Life Services team and Office of the Chaplains unit for personal guidance and support when you need it most.
- Learning & Development Program – Advance your career through structured professional development opportunities, skills training, and leadership programs tailored to support your growth within the organization.
- Educational Investment – Pursue your career goals with in-house training and professional development, tuition reimbursement support, and partnerships with educational institutions.
- Employee Assistance Programs – Comprehensive support services to help you navigate life's challenges with confidence and resources.
- Discounts & Perks – Take advantage of MTA employee discount programs offering savings on products and services.
- Connect & Belong – Join our vibrant Employee Resource Groups to build meaningful connections, share experiences, and contribute to an inclusive workplace culture.
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