Executive Director, Transit Operations & Safety

Skagit Transit; Burlington (WA); On-site; USD 151,000 - 203,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life Insurance

Paid Holidays

Employee Assistance Program

Free Bus Pass

General Leave

PERS enrollment

Voluntary Flexible Spending Account

Job summary

Skagit Transit is seeking a Director of Operations to join the Executive Leadership Team. This senior role provides strategic leadership, direction, and oversight for all public transportation operations, including fixed route, paratransit, microtransit, dispatch, eligibility, and contracted services.

The Director ensures safe, reliable, customer-focused, compliant, and fiscally responsible service delivery.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Transportation Management, Safety Management, Emergency Management, or a related field.
• Seven years of progressively responsible experience in public transportation operations, including responsibility for fixed route and demand response services.
• Five years of senior-level management experience leading supervisors, managers, and multi-disciplinary teams.
• Experience with labor relations, collective bargaining, contract administration, and workforce management.
• Experience managing budgets, operational performance programs, strategic initiatives, and organizational change efforts.

Responsibilities

• Advise the CEO on operational matters, service delivery issues, workforce planning, safety performance, security concerns, risk management, and service improvement opportunities.
• Develop and implement short- and long-range operational strategies that support organizational goals, service reliability, financial sustainability, customer satisfaction, and regulatory compliance.
• Lead special projects, initiatives, and agency priorities assigned by the CEO.
• Establish performance expectations, key performance indicators, and accountability measures for operational departments and programs.
• Champion a culture of safety, accountability, professionalism, innovation, customer service, and continuous improvement.
• Direct and oversee all operational functions, including fixed route, paratransit, microtransit, dispatch, eligibility, contracted transportation services, operations supervisors, and operations management staff.
• Ensure operational effectiveness through the development, implementation, and monitoring of policies, procedures, performance standards, and operational controls.
• Monitor operational performance metrics, service productivity, reliability, ridership trends, customer feedback, and service quality indicators.
• Collaborate with Planning staff regarding service evaluations, route performance, service modifications, and implementation of service improvements.
• Provide executive direction regarding operational impacts of service expansion, service reductions, service redesigns, and major capital projects.
• Oversee contractor performance and ensure compliance with contractual obligations, service standards, agency requirements, and regulatory requirements.
• Provide executive oversight of the agency's Safety and Training Department and Security Program.
• Direct and support Safety and Training Coordinators and Security Supervisors in the development and implementation of safety initiatives and operational training programs.
• Ensure effective implementation of the agency's Safety Management System, Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan, and related safety programs.
• Oversee operator training, refresher training, remedial training, safety certification programs, emergency preparedness training, security training, and other operations-related training programs.
• Ensure proper investigation, reporting, and corrective action associated with accidents, incidents, injuries, security events, and operational disruptions.
• Coordinate emergency preparedness activities and serve in a leadership role during service disruptions, emergencies, incidents, and disaster response operations.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state safety regulations, including requirements established by the Federal Transit Administration, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and other applicable agencies.
• Direct and oversee workforce planning efforts, staffing strategies, employee development programs, succession planning initiatives, and operational workforce needs.
• Participate in collective bargaining, labor-management meetings, grievance investigations, arbitration proceedings, and contract administration efforts.
• Ensure consistent interpretation and administration of collective bargaining agreements.
• Make recommendations and decisions regarding hiring, promotions, discipline, performance management, and termination of personnel in accordance with agency policy.
• Conduct or participate in administrative investigations, disciplinary proceedings, and Loudermill hearings.
• Foster positive employee relations and maintain productive working relationships with labor representatives and employees.
• Develop, administer, and monitor operational budgets.
• Ensure fiscally responsible management of personnel, equipment, contract services, and operational resources.
• Evaluate operational expenditures and identify opportunities for efficiency, cost containment, and resource optimization.
• Review and evaluate operational reports, performance data, financial information, and service metrics to support informed decision-making.
• Represent the agency before community organizations, regulatory agencies, contractors, and industry groups.
• Prepare and present reports, analyses, recommendations, presentations, and supporting documentation to the executive leadership.
• Serve as a key spokesperson regarding operational matters.
• Develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with business partners, law enforcement agencies, emergency responders, regulatory agencies, school districts, human service organizations, transit providers, and community stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with applicable FTA, FMCSA, ADA, PTASP, drug and alcohol testing requirements, labor agreements, agency policies, and all federal, state, and local requirements governing public transportation.
• Ensure operational programs, procedures, and services remain compliant with evolving regulatory requirements and industry best practices.
• Maintain oversight of required operational documentation, reporting processes, audits, corrective action plans, and compliance activities.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Public transit operations

Budgeting & cost control

Regulatory compliance

Safety & security programs

Labor relations

Emergency management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Seven years transit operations

Five years senior management

Job description

Skagit Transit is seeking a Director of Operations to join the Executive Leadership Team. This senior role provides strategic leadership, direction, and oversight for all public transportation operations, including fixed route, paratransit, microtransit, dispatch, eligibility, and contracted services.

The Director ensures safe, reliable, customer-focused, compliant, and fiscally responsible service delivery.