Operations Manager (Transit)

Oregoncounties; Oregon (WI); On-site; USD 94,000 - 117,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

15 holidays

Paid time off

Retirement benefits

Health benefits

Comp time

Public service loan forgiveness

Job summary

Yamhill County is seeking an experienced Operations Manager (Transit) to lead the county’s transit division, oversee the provider contract, manage grants and budgets, and coordinate with regional partners to improve mobility and service quality.

This role requires a public administration background, strong leadership, budgeting acumen, and the ability to work with diverse stakeholders. McMinnville-based position offers comprehensive benefits and a collaborative county environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business, or related field required.
• Minimum three years of supervisory experience.
• Knowledge of grant funding and budgeting principles preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee transit provider contract and ensure high-quality operations and maintenance.
• Prepare YCT annual budget and monitor expenditures.
• Coordinate with community partners and advisory groups; represent the County.
• Prepare and submit grant applications and manage contracts.

Skills

Leadership

Public administration

Budgeting

Contract management

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business, or related field

Job description

SALARY $7,873.43 – $9,752.44 Monthly LOCATION McMinnville, OR JOB TYPE Regular Full-Time JOB NUMBER TR26-084 DEPARTMENT County Administration OPENING DATE 08/27/2026 CLOSING DATE 9/11/2026 3:00 PM Pacific

PLEASE NOTE: Salary is dependent on experience Yamhill County typically hires between steps 1-4

Operations Manager (Transit)

Are you a visionary leader ready to shape a modern, connected, and community-focused transit system? Yamhill County is looking for an experienced, dynamic Operations Manager to guide Yamhill County Transit (YCT) into its next phase – and we want YOU to be part of this mission.

WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS:

Public transit is more than buses and schedules – it’s about mobility, opportunity, and community vitality. As our Operations Manager you will oversee the transit provider’s contract. Communicate and coordinate extensively with provider staff to ensure service delivery and maintenance services, adhere to contract goals and standards and provide supervision, direction and training to Transit Division staff. The Operations Manager position has the responsibility of providing grant and project management, preparing and monitoring YCT’s annual budget, representing the County on transit-related advisory groups such as the Yamhill County Transit Advisory Committee (YCTAC), developing and maintaining relationships with various community partners and elected officials, and marketing YCT services and programs.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide recommendations regarding transit policies.
• Establishes long-range goals and plans for the Department.
• Manages the transit service provider’s contract and ensures high-quality delivery of operations and maintenance; completes reviews of transit services provider’s performance measures and makes recommendations when necessary.
• Supervises County staff, sets performance standards, develops, reviews, approves, and implements work plans, timelines, and resource allocations for assigned projects.
• Prepares YCT’s annual budget. Reviews and monitors expenditures to remain within established budgetary limits.
• Manages the selection and procurement process for professional or contractual services.
• Completes annual, periodic, and/or new grant applications; submits grant applications to appropriate state agencies or other funding sources; administers approved projects and reviews grant contracts.
• Coordinates and/or negotiates with governmental agencies, contractors, and consultants regarding projects, consulting engineering services agreements, or inter-jurisdictional agreements; negotiates service contract extensions.
• Prepares and administers the County Transportation System Plan, Capital Improvement Plans, or other appropriate planning documents.
• Prepares and submits required reports and/or billings for regular grant opportunities, including Rural and Small Urban Areas, Federal Capital Funding, Special Transportation Fund, Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund, State Environmental Justice grant, local government contributions, and other funding opportunities that develop.
• Ensures full compliance with federal, state, and local purchasing rules when purchasing goods and services or engaging in grant funded procurement processes.
• Provides oversight of contracts with consultants and contractors to ensure quality of service and compliance with contract goals and standards, including oversight of transit service provider.
• Consult and maintain relationships with community transit partners, including the Confederated Tribes of Grande Ronde, incorporated cities within Yamhill County, local, regional, and state transportation agencies, and any other relevant organizations; attends community meetings as necessary.
• Ensures the Department is prepared for audits and reviews, including reviews by the Federal Transit Administration, the Transportation Safety Administration, and the Public Transit Division of the Oregon Department of Transportation.
• Maintains short-range plans that accomplish goals, such as project schedules, current facility needs, budget, and operations.
• Represents the County on transit-related advisory groups, governmental groups, and transit associations. Serves as the liaison with other local and State transportation offices; attends regional and state-wide conferences and meetings.
• Serves as staff representative to the Yamhill County Transit Advisory Committee and facilitates advisory committee meetings. Prepares agendas and responds to requests and ongoing communication with committee members.
• Prepares and makes presentations to the Transit Advisory Committee, Board of Commissioners, committees, community groups, other agencies, and the media as required.
• Coordinates and performs other projects, functions, and tasks, as assigned.
• Organizes and oversees the annual Remarkable Rider Day event and conducts various marketing campaigns regarding service and programming.

Yamhill County offers very generous employee benefits:

• HOLIDAYS – 15 paid holidays per year.
• PAID TIME OFF – 19.5 days of Flexible Earned Time (FET) accrual in the first year (based on an 8‑hr day).
• RETIREMENT – Employer contributes 6% of salary to PERS Individual Account Plan and over 16% into the PERS Pension Fund.
• HEALTH – Full health benefit offerings for employees and their qualifying dependents. The county contributes over $27K annually towards employees medical, dental and vision plans. The employee premiums start as low as $70.13/month for PPO and $0 monthly for HMO for 2025 to 2026 plan year.*
• COMP TIME – Transit Manager typically has a set schedule, however when working over 40 hours in a week is required, you will earn comp time.
• PSLF – Qualifying employer for public service student loan forgiveness.

*Subject to the AFSCME Collective Bargaining Agreement (7/1/2023 – 6/30/2026).

Our Community

Yamhill County has approximately 109,000 residents and is a very desirable place to live in the heart of the Willamette Valley wine country. Yamhill County is home to Linfield University and Chemeketa Community College in McMinnville and George Fox University and Portland Community College in Newberg. Yamhill County is centrally located in the Willamette Valley, within proximity to the Oregon Coast, the Portland and Salem metropolitan areas, and the Oregon Cascade Mountains. Wide varieties of indoor and outdoor recreation opportunities are available. We have the benefits, appeal and superior quality of life found in a small-town community, while enjoying active social and cultural lifestyles found in larger metropolitan areas.

Required information

Under the provisions of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, any person hired or rehired is required to provide evidence of identity and eligibility for employment. Yamhill County does not offer VISA sponsorships. The County verifies the valid work authorization of each employee using Form 1-9 and the E-Verify Program.

Yamhill County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and values diversity.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply. Applicants are considered for employment based on their qualifications without regard to race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital or veteran status, medical condition or disability, or any other factor prohibited by law or regulation. Veterans are encouraged to apply. Do not include information or photos that would identify those personal traits. Documents included with this identifying information will be removed from the application packet.

Some positions require a criminal history check and a review of driving record. All County positions require regular, prompt, and consistent attendance.

Accommodation Under the Americans with Disabilities Act

Reasonable accommodation is available to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in the selection process for this recruitment. To obtain confidential assistance, please contact Human Resources at 503-474-4901 or via email at Human_Resources@yamhillcounty.g.

Veterans’ Preference

Under Oregon law ORS 408.225-408.238, veterans who meet the minimum qualifications for a position may be eligible for hiring preference. If you think you may qualify, please complete and attach all the following:

Supporting Documentation- (Refer to VA Preference form for list)

• Veteran’s Hiring Preference Preference Hiring Form-PD

If you need assistance with completing an application for employment or with obtaining a Veteran’s Hiring Preference Form, please contact Human Resources at 503-474-4901 or via email at Human_Resources@yamhillcounty.g.

Status of Your Application

Please note that Yamhill County communicates with all candidates via e-mail. If you "opt out" or "unsubscribe" from e‑mail notifications from NEOGOV, it will impact our ability to communicate with you about job postings.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• State and federal grant funding programs and budgeting principles.
• Principles, practices, techniques, public contract management.
• Operations analysis and service planning, including scheduling and service design.
• Marketing and promotion of public services.
• Federal, state, and local laws and regulations pertaining to procurement and grant management.
• Leadership principles for small teams and teams of contractors.
• Effective, accurate communication, both orally and in writing.
• Organizing work, setting priorities, and meeting critical time deadlines.
• Resolving conflict and applying problem-solving techniques to resolve issues.
• Effective techniques of personnel management, administrative and supervisory techniques, and workflow management.
• Identifying and engaging stakeholders; soliciting and acting upon feedback.
• Developing, cooperative working relationships and partnerships.
• Effectively administer special projects and contractual agreements and ensure compliance with stipulations.
• Develop and implement goals, objectives, policies, procedures, work standards, and internal controls for the Department and assigned program areas.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and professional working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Effectively and efficiently use spreadsheets, County ERP and EPM, and word processing software.
• Work varied days and hours, including weekends as necessary.

View the complete list of required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities here Class Spec Detail

Minimum Experience and Training/Other Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited school in public administration, business, or a related field, with a minimum of three (3) years of supervisory experience.

Any satisfactory combination of experience and training which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the above duties. Prior training and experience must include supervision and management responsibility.

Preference is given to those with previous experience in public transportation.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

Secure and maintain a driver’s license valid in the state of Oregon, or an acceptable alternative means of transportation. May be required to drive a County vehicle. Employees authorized to operate a private vehicle on County business are required to carry a valid driver’s license and liability insurance minimums as outlined in ORS 806070.

Employment offer is contingent on successful completion of a background check.

Work Environment/Physical Demands

The incumbent typically works in an office environment and uses a computer, telephone and other office equipment as needed to perform duties. The noise level in the work environment is typical of that of an office. Incumbent may encounter frequent interruptions throughout the workday.

The employee is regularly required to sit, talk, or hear; frequently required to use repetitive hand motion, handle or feel, stand, walk, reach, bend, and lift up to 20 pounds.

Contact with the public in office environments may risk exposure to irrational/hostile behavior, contagious diseases, or contact with domestic animals.

Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor. This job description does NOT constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the organizational needs and requirements of the job change.

The job specification requirements stated are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform this job successfully. Any satisfactory equivalent combination of experience and training which ensures the ability to perform the work may substitute for the above so that the employee will possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.