Manager of Automotive & Equipment Maintenance

San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART); Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 156,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

BART seeks a Manager of Automotive & Equipment Maintenance to lead the NRVE Division, overseeing maintenance, repair, and modification of fleet cars, heavy equipment, high-rail and track-driven gear. The role directs shop operations, fabrications, and vendor coordination in a public transit setting.

The position requires strong leadership, budget oversight, and coordination across shifts, with accountability for safety, quality, and regulatory compliance in a complex public agency environment.

Qualifications

• Five years of automotive and equipment maintenance experience, including supervisory responsibility.
• Two years of administrative and supervisory experience.
• Associate degree in automotive technology is preferred; substitution allowed.
• Must possess a valid California driver’s license and good driving record.

Responsibilities

• Assumes management responsibility for the NonRevenue Vehicle Maintenance Division's services and activities.
• Oversees staffing and operational activities for the division; manages fabrication, welding, and machine shop operations.
• Develops automotive/equipment specifications; monitors bids, procurement, and contract compliance.
• Plans and reviews work plans, assigns projects, and evaluates performance.
• Provides instruction on vehicle maintenance, fabrication, and supply issues; inspects work for compliance.
• Recruits, trains, motivates, and evaluates maintenance staff; administers discipline as needed.
• Manages division budget; forecasts funds for staffing, equipment, and materials; approves expenditures.
• Liaises with other divisions and outside agencies; negotiates sensitive issues.
• Supports the Division Manager with staff reports and committee work.
• Coordinates maintenance activities with other shifts and external groups.
• Attends professional meetings and stays updated on industry trends.

Skills

Leadership

Staff supervision

Budget management

Procurement

Vendor negotiation

Safety programs

Regulatory compliance

Education

Associate degree in automotive technology

Tools

CMMS

Fleet management system

Job description

Pay Rate

AFSCME Pay Grade 21

Step 1: $156,395.20/annually - Step 5: $190,091.20/annually

Note: The negotiable salary offer will be commensurate with education and experience.

Reports To

Sr. Manager of Fleet Management

Days Off

Variable

Who May Apply

All current BART employees and Future BART employees

Current Assignment

San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) is seeking to fill a Manager of Automotive & Equipment Maintenance position in the Non-Revenue Vehicle & Equipment (NRVE) Department.

This managerial position provides leadership and direction for BART’s Non-Revenue Vehicle Maintenance Division, overseeing personnel and operations responsible for the maintenance, repair, and modification of the District’s fleet cars, heavy-duty maintenance equipment, and specialized high-rail and track-driven equipment. The role directs daily shop operations, including fabrication, welding, and machine shop activities, to ensure fleet reliability, equipment availability, and operational readiness. Additional responsibilities include developing vehicle and equipment specifications, evaluating vendor bids and products, coordinating fleet procurement, ensuring contract compliance, and providing technical and administrative support to the Sr. Manager of Fleet Management.

The selected candidate will demonstrate strong leadership, supervisory, administrative, analytical, and organizational skills. Key responsibilities include managing staffing and shop operations, developing employee capabilities, monitoring fleet performance and availability, overseeing work order and asset management activities, managing budgets, and preparing operational reports. A commitment to workplace safety, regulatory compliance, and quality assurance is essential.

Competencies

• Proven leadership of complex fleet maintenance and operations programs.
• Fleet operations experience within a public agency, public transit organization, or similarly complex operational environment.
• Knowledge of computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) and fleet management systems.
• Demonstrated success implementing continuous improvement initiatives in a multi-shift operational environment.
• Proficiency in preventive maintenance scheduling and planning.
• Knowledge of applicable regulatory requirements, including those established by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), as applicable to the operation.
• Familiarity with quality management systems, such as ISO 9001.
• Experience implementing safety programs, maintaining accurate maintenance documentation, supporting audits, establishing performance measures, and driving continuous improvement initiatives are highly desirable.

This position requires flexibility and availability to support a 24-hour, multi-shift maintenance operation. The Manager is expected to provide 24/7 on-call support for fleet and shop operations, coordinate emergency response activities during critical incidents, and work off hours: either Swing or Grave Shift schedule varying hours as needed to meet operational requirements.

Responsibilities

1. Assumes management responsibility for assigned services and activities of the NonRevenue Vehicle Maintenance Division including the maintenance, repair and modification of all District automotive and maintenance equipment including fleet cars, light, medium and heavy-duty maintenance equipment and high-rail and track driven apparatus.
2. Oversees and coordinates the organization, staffing and operational activities for the Non-Revenue Vehicle Maintenance Division; manages the fabrication, welding and machine shop; develops automotive and equipment specifications; monitors material and parts supply.
3. Manages and participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies and priorities for assigned programs; recommends and administers policies and procedures.
4. Monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; recommends, within departmental policy, appropriate service and staffing levels.
5. Prepares automotive and equipment specifications; reviews submitted bids from contractors and vendors; recommends selection and coordinates procurement of automotive and equipment fleet; evaluates products; monitors contracts to ensure compliance.
6. Plans, directs, coordinates and reviews the work plan for assigned staff; assigns work activities, projects and programs; reviews and evaluates work products, methods and procedures; meets with staff to identify and resolve problems.
7. Provides instruction and advice regarding vehicle maintenance, repair, fabrication and supply issues; inspects work performed; ensures all work complies with District and mandated standards.
8. Selects, trains, motivates and evaluates maintenance personnel; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline and termination procedures.
9. Oversees and participates in the development and administration of the division's annual budget; participates in the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials and supplies; monitors and approves expenditures; implements adjustments.
10. Serves as the liaison for the Non-Revenue Vehicle Maintenance Division with other divisions, departments and outside agencies; negotiates and resolves sensitive and controversial issues.
11. Provides staff assistance to the Division Manager, Maintenance Support; participates on a variety of committees; prepares and presents staff reports and other correspondence as appropriate and necessary.
12. Coordinates automotive and equipment maintenance activities with those of other shifts, divisions and outside agencies and organizations.
13. Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of automotive and equipment maintenance.

Education

An Associate degree in automotive technology or a closely related field from an accredited college or university.

Experience

Five (5) years of (full-time equivalent) verifiable automotive and equipment maintenance and fleet administration experience which must have included at least two (2) years of administrative and supervisory experience.

Substitution

Additional experience as outlined above may be substituted for the education on a year for-year basis. An Associate degree in automotive technology is preferred.

Other Requirements

Must possess a valid California driver’s license and have a satisfactory driving record. Must have sufficient mobility to inspect the work of others.

Knowledge of

• Operational characteristics, services and activities of comprehensive automotive and equipment maintenance program.
• Materials, tools and equipment used in the maintenance, repair and modification of automotive and heavy equipment.
• Fleet management and administration including evaluation, specification, assignments and equipment disposal.
• Principles and practices of an automotive equipment preventative maintenance program.
• Principles and practices of bid specifications, review, selection and evaluation.
• Principles and practices of procurement, purchasing, ordering and requisitioning.
• Operating characteristics of track and high rail apparatus/vehicles.
• Principles and practices of budget preparation and administration.
• Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation.
• Related Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations.

Skill in

• Managing, supervising and coordinating automotive and equipment maintenance services.
• Selecting, supervising, training and evaluating staff.
• Developing and managing service supply contracts.
• Developing equipment specifications and evaluating products and bids.
• Interpreting and explaining District's maintenance policies and procedures.
• Preparing clear and concise administrative and financial reports.
• Analyzing problems, identifying alternative solutions, projecting consequences of proposed actions and implementing recommendations in support of goals.
• Researching, analyzing and evaluating new service delivery methods and techniques.
• Interpreting and applying Federal, State and local policies, laws and regulations.
• Communicating clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.