Transit Communications Leader, Grade 18

Montgomery County Government; Gaithersburg (MD); On-site; USD 64,000 - 101,000; Full time

Job summary

Montgomery County Government's Department of Transportation is seeking a Transit Communications Leader to monitor system-wide transit conditions, issue instructions, and coordinate with Transit Bus Operators and Coordinators to maintain on-time service.

The role requires strong judgment, the ability to work independently, and experience using CAD and other operations software to track and report service data, ensuring passenger safety and reliability across Ride On.

Qualifications

• One year as Transit Coordinator with Montgomery County or three years as Transit Bus Operator.
• Experience monitoring transit conditions and entering/reconciling data.
• Ability to coordinate with public/private agencies and maintain safety.

Responsibilities

• Monitor system-wide transit operations, traffic, weather, and road conditions.
• Maintain two-way communication with bus operators and coordinators, issuing guidance.
• Develop action plans for detours, overtime, or redeployment to resolve issues.
• Coordinate actions with public/private agencies to restore service and safety.
• Enter, track, and report transit information using CAD and other software.
• Respond to inquiries from operators, coordinators, and public as needed.

Skills

Transit operations monitoring

Interagency coordination

Clear communication

Independent work

Operational decision making

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Computer-aided dispatch (CAD) systems

Job description

THIS IS AN INTERNAL ONLY JOB POSTING, AVAILABLE TO CURRENT MONTGOMERY COUNTY GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES.

1. Current Montgomery County Government employees;
2. Montgomery County employees who were affected by a reduction-in-force and currently have RIF priority rights;
3. Active Montgomery County local fire and rescue department volunteers with at least 50 points under the length of service award program (LOSAP); or
4. Active Project SEARCH Interns or former Montgomery County Government Customized Employment Public Interns, or Project SEARCH Interns within 24 months of completion of internship.

This Position is ONLY Open to Montgomery County Government Employees.

The salary range above represents this position’s earning potential. The anticipated hiring range for this position will be $64,104 to $100,832, based on the candidate’s qualifications and experience.

WHO WE ARE

The mission of the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is to move people and connect places with seamless, equitable transportation options that are safe, environmentally responsible, and support economic growth and vibrancy in Montgomery County. The Department has five divisions: Highway Services, Parking Management, Transit Services, Traffic Engineering and Operations, and Transportation Engineering. We are a large organization with over 1,200 employees and a dedicated County budget of $300 million.

The Division of Transit Services coordinates transit services in Montgomery County. Transit fulfills an essential mobility mission for the County, connecting people, communities, workplaces, educational institutions, recreational opportunities, and many other destinations. The Division employs 850+ people and operates nearly 400 buses on 80+ fixed routes throughout Montgomery County. The Division plans, schedules, and manages the County's Ride On bus system, consisting of County-owned and operated buses. Ride On carries roughly 18 million riders annually.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We are seeking a highly responsive, detail-oriented professional with experience in monitoring transit and traffic conditions, assessing issues, and devising practical, system-wide solutions to maintain safe, on-time bus service. The ideal candidate brings strong skills in interpreting operational information, coordinating with public and private agencies, and using computer-aided dispatch and reporting systems to enter, track, and reconcile transit data. This person excels at fostering effective working relationships with bus operators, coordinators, supervisors, and external partners, communicating clearly in fast-moving situations and exercising sound judgment when adapting plans or procedures. The role requires someone who can work independently, prioritize tasks in real time, and gather the information needed to make timely operational decisions—ensuring service continuity, passenger safety, and adherence to established guidelines and procedures.

The Transit Communications Leader will support the County’s transit operations by continuously monitoring service conditions, assessing factors that affect safety and timeliness, and implementing informed operational decisions in real time. They will maintain coordinated communication with Transit Bus Operators and Transit Coordinators; develop and issue instructions to address service-disrupting situations; collaborate with public and private agencies to restore or maintain service; and use specialized software systems to track, record, and report transit information. This work ensures reliable public transportation service, enhances passenger safety, and upholds operational standards across the Ride On network.

Tasks Include

• Monitoring and assessing system-wide transit operations, including traffic, weather, and road conditions that influence safe and timely bus service
• Maintaining continuous two-way communication with Transit Bus Operators and Transit Coordinators, providing operational guidance, and issuing instructions as circumstances evolve
• Developing and implementing individualized and system-wide action plans - such as route detours, overtime assignments, or redeployment of buses to resolve service-impacting issues
• Coordinating planned actions with representatives of public and private agencies to restore normal transit service and ensure passenger safety
• Entering, tracking, and reporting transit-related information using computer-aided dispatch systems and other operational software
• Responding to inquiries from Transit Bus Operators, road coordinators, other transportation systems, and occasionally members of the public.
• Performs related duties as required.

Experience

One (1) year of experience as a Transit Coordinator with Montgomery County or three (3) years of experience as a Transit Bus Operator.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent (GED or High School Proficiency Examination)

Substitution

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.

License

Possession and maintenance at all times of a valid Class "B" (or equivalent) Commercial Drivers' License (CDL), with air brakes and passenger endorsements, from the employee's state of residence.

Work Environment

Work is performed in an operations center that is temperature-controlled, appropriately lighted, and ventilated.

Physical Demands

A Transit Communications Leader multi-tasks at a command console for extended periods by monitoring a range of factors and conditions (including weather, traffic, construction, accidents, Ride On breakdowns and service disruptions in other transit systems), responding to multiple visual and audio inputs (from Bus Operators, 'road coordinators', operators of other systems, etc.), considering several variables (on deployment of buses and Bus Operators), and using various communications equipment to exchange information and direct the work of Bus Operators. A Transit Communications Leader must be able and comfortable using video displays, a keyboard, a radio and other communications-electronics equipment on a regularly recurring basis.

Medical Protocol

This position requires successful completion of a pre-employment medical evaluation, which includes a limited physical examination and drug screening.

The applications of those individuals meeting the minimum qualifications will be reviewed to determine the extent, relevance of training, and experience in the following areas:

• Experience working with the different traffic/transit conditions throughout Montgomery County and the impact of the presenting issues/conditions upon Bus Operators, passengers, and equipment involved.
• Experience in quickly devising solutions that are based on judgment and reflect the best possible whole-system solutions.
• Experience coordinating with other public and private agencies.
• Experience using various computer software programs to enter, track, and report a variety of transit information.