Operations Manager

Southeast Area Transit District; Preston (CT); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

SEAT is seeking an experienced 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 deployment and supervision of operators, dispatchers, supervisors, and vehicles, and coordinates with Maintenance and Administration to ensure service reliability, regulatory compliance, and responsive customer service.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Five years of progressively responsible experience in public transportation or related field.
• Supervisory or management experience in a transportation environment preferred.
• Experience in a unionized environment preferred.
• Experience with fixed-route and ADA/demand-response transportation desirable.
• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and ability to learn scheduling and reporting systems.
• Valid driver's license; CDL may be required based on responsibilities.
• Ability to respond to significant operational emergencies and work outside normal hours.

Responsibilities

• Direct and oversee daily fixed-route and demand-response transit operations.
• Supervise Transit Supervisors, Dispatchers, Bus Operators, and other Operations personnel.
• Monitor service delivery, staffing, vehicle availability, schedule adherence, and conditions.
• Coordinate operator scheduling, daily assignments, overtime, and staffing coverage.
• Respond to service disruptions, accidents, emergencies, detours, and other events.
• Coordinate vehicle availability with the Maintenance Department.
• Participate in recruitment, onboarding, training, evaluation, and disciplinary processes.
• Promote compliance with ADA requirements and safety procedures.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Organizational skills

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving

Microsoft Office

Transit scheduling systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in transportation

Equivalent combination of education, training, and experience

Tools

Transit scheduling systems

Dispatch systems

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.