Operations Manager

Southeast Area Transit District; New London (CT); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

SEAT in Connecticut is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to oversee the safe, reliable, and customer-focused delivery of its fixed-route and demand-response services. The role directs daily operations, deploying and supervising operators, dispatchers, supervisors, and vehicles, in close collaboration with Maintenance and Administration.

The ideal candidate will balance safety with service reliability, workforce management, and compliance, while leading a professional, accountable team in

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in transportation, public administration, business, or related field.
• Five years of progressive public transportation or operations experience preferred.
• Supervisory or management experience in a transportation environment preferred.
• Experience in a unionized environment preferred.
• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and transit scheduling/dispatch/reporting systems.
• Valid driver’s license; CDL may be required based on responsibilities.
• Ability to respond to emergencies and work irregular hours when needed.

Responsibilities

• Direct and oversee daily fixed-route and demand-response transit operations.
• Supervise Transit Supervisors, Dispatchers, Bus Operators, and other staff.
• Monitor service delivery, staffing, vehicle availability, and schedule adherence.
• Coordinate operator scheduling, daily assignments, overtime, and coverage.
• Respond to disruptions, accidents, emergencies, and detours.
• Coordinate with Maintenance on vehicle availability and service needs.
• Participate in recruitment, onboarding, training, and performance processes.
• Ensure compliance with collective bargaining agreements and policies.
• Investigate safety and customer-service concerns and implement corrective action.
• Promote safety procedures and ADA compliance; support reporting to GM.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

Analytical thinking

Microsoft Office

Adaptability

Ability to learn systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in transportation/public administration/business/related field

Equivalent combination of education and experience

Tools

Transit scheduling software

Dispatch systems

Fleet management software

Job description

SEAT is seeking an experienced and motivated Operations Manager to oversee the safe, reliable, efficient, and customer-focused delivery of the District's fixed-route and demand-response transportation services.

The Operations Manager directs daily transportation operations, including the deployment and supervision of operators, dispatchers, supervisors, vehicles, and other operating resources. The position works closely with Maintenance and Administration to ensure service reliability, regulatory compliance, effective workforce management, and responsive customer service.

Essential Responsibilities

• Direct and oversee daily fixed-route and demand-response transit operations.
• Supervise Transit Supervisors, Dispatchers, Bus Operators, and other assigned Operations personnel.
• Monitor service delivery, staffing, vehicle availability, schedule adherence, and operating conditions.
• Coordinate operator scheduling, daily assignments, overtime, and staffing coverage.
• Respond to service disruptions, accidents, emergencies, severe weather, detours, and other operational events.
• Coordinate vehicle availability and service requirements with the Maintenance Department.
• Participate in employee recruitment, onboarding, training, evaluation, counseling, and disciplinary processes.
• Administer applicable provisions of collective bargaining agreements and District personnel policies.
• Investigate significant operational, safety, and customer-service concerns and implement appropriate corrective action.
• Promote compliance with District safety procedures and applicable federal, state, and local requirements.
• Support compliance with ADA requirements and established fixed-route and demand-response service procedures.
• Monitor operational performance and prepare reports and recommendations for the General Manager.
• Promote a professional, accountable, safety-focused, and customer-oriented work environment.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in transportation, public administration, business administration, management, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant experience.
• Five years of progressively responsible experience in public transportation, transportation operations, fleet operations, dispatch, logistics, or a related field preferred.
• Supervisory or management experience in a transportation environment strongly preferred.
• Experience working in a unionized environment preferred.
• Experience with fixed-route and ADA/demand-response transportation is highly desirable.
• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and the ability to learn and effectively utilize transit scheduling, dispatch, communications, and reporting systems.
• Valid driver's license required. Commercial Driver's License (CDL) may be required based upon operational responsibilities.
• Ability to respond to significant operational emergencies and work evenings, weekends, holidays, or irregular hours when operationally necessary.

Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate will be a hands-on transit professional who can balance safety, service reliability, employee accountability, labor relations, customer service, and operational efficiency. The individual must exercise sound judgment under pressure, communicate effectively at all levels of the organization, and provide consistent leadership in a fast-paced public transportation environment.

Equal Employment Opportunity

SEAT is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers qualified applicants without regard to any status protected by applicable federal or state law. Reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable law.