Transit General Manager

Racine; Racine (WI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Pension

Vacation leave

Sick Leave

Holidays

Job summary

RYDE Racine seeks a General Manager to oversee daily transit operations and maintenance for the Racine region. You will direct the Transit Department, ensure safe and compliant services, coordinate with the Transit & Mobility Director, and lead large-scale capital projects and procurement to improve performance.

You will build strong relationships with employees, labor representatives, regulators, and external partners while guiding policy development and performance measurement.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience managing daily transit operations, including service delivery, scheduling, safety, fleet, facilities, and maintenance coordination.
• Ability to make independent, sound decisions that support safe, reliable, efficient, and compliant transit operations.
• Strong knowledge of transit operations, regulatory requirements, labor practices, and service delivery standards.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, implement, and evaluate operational policies, procedures, and performance measures.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills with the ability to identify operational issues and implement effective solutions.
• Ability to manage operational budgets, resources, staffing, and competing priorities effectively.
• Experience overseeing operational technology, scheduling systems, timekeeping, and other tools supporting service delivery.
• Ability to manage capital projects and operational initiatives while minimizing impacts to transit service.
• Demonstrated leadership skills with the ability to promote safety, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Ability to build effective working relationships with employees, labor representatives, vendors, regulatory agencies, and community partners.
• Ability to use operational data, ridership trends, and performance measures to improve service reliability, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
• Ability to support long-range service, workforce, fleet, facility, and budget planning in collaboration with the Transit & Mobility Director.

Responsibilities

• Directs and coordinates day-to-day operations of the Transit Department, ensuring safe, efficient, compliant services.
• Develops, implements, and evaluates policies and service standards in consultation with the Transit & Mobility Director.
• Monitors changes in regulations to keep operations compliant and responsive.
• Oversees daily transit operations and coordinates with City departments for compliance with FTA and WisDOT.
• Manages fixed-route service delivery, operator scheduling, ITS software, and timekeeping systems.
• Oversees personnel at the Transit Administrative and Maintenance Garage, ensuring staffing, safety, and accountability.
• Plans quarterly meetings with staff to reinforce compliance, safety, accessibility, and customer service.
• Monitors ridership, performance, and labor matters; communicates issues to the Transit & Mobility Director.
• Represents the department in labor negotiations and with Teamsters Local 200.
• Develops and standardizes procedures and performance measures to improve service quality.

Skills

Transit operations management

Independent decision making

Regulatory knowledge

Policy implementation

Problem solving

Budget management

Operational technology

Capital project management

Leadership

Stakeholder relations

Data-driven decisions

Long-range planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration/Business/Finance/Transportation

Equivalent combination of education and experience

Tools

ITS software

Timekeeping systems

Operational technology

Job description

Job Description

RYDE Racine serves as the public transportation system for Eastern Racine County, providing an extensive network of nearly 700 stops throughout the region. The system stretches from the shores of Lake Michigan west to Interstate 94 and from Four Mile Road in the north to Lake Park and Georgetown in the south, providing convenient, reliable, and accessible fixed-route and paratransit transportation for communities across Eastern Racine County. RYDE Racine provides approximately 1,000,000 rides annually and is supported by a staff of approximately 80 employees dedicated to serving the transportation needs of the community.

POSITION PURPOSE

The General Manager is responsible for overseeing all daily transit operations and maintenance (vehicle and non-vehicle) functions of Racine's transit system. The management functions of the transit system include overseeing the daily operations of fixed-route and paratransit service for the greater Racine region.

Essential Duties

• Directs and coordinates the day-to-day operations of the Transit Department, ensuring services are delivered safely, efficiently, and in compliance with established Federal, State, and local regulations, policies, standards, and procedures.
• Develops, implements, and continuously evaluates operational policies, procedures, and service standards in consultation with the Transit & Mobility Director.
• Monitors changes in Federal and State regulations, guidance, and industry practices to ensure operational activities remain compliant and responsive to evolving transit requirements.
• Oversees daily transit operations and coordinates activities with other City departments to ensure compliance with Federal Transit Administration and Wisconsin Department of Transportation requirements and policies.
• Manages and monitors fixed-route service delivery, including operator scheduling, Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) software, timekeeping systems, and other operational technology and service platforms.
• Oversees transit personnel assigned to the Transit Administrative and Maintenance Garage at 1900 Kentucky Street, providing direction and support to ensure effective staffing, service delivery, safety, and accountability.
• Plans and conducts quarterly meetings with operational staff to reinforce compliance, safety, accessibility, service standards, and customer service expectations.
• Monitors ridership, service performance, operational trends, capital needs, and labor matters and communicates key issues and recommendations to the Transit & Mobility Director.
• Serves as management liaison to Teamsters Local 200, ensuring operational compliance with the collective bargaining agreement and participating in labor negotiations and related activities.
• Develops and standardizes operating procedures and performance measures to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, reliability, and consistency of transit services.
• Evaluates operational workloads, staffing, administrative processes, support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement and recommends changes to enhance service delivery.
• Manages multiple capital projects in partnership with the Transit & Mobility Director, ensuring projects support operational needs and departmental goals established by the Transit Commission.
• Coordinates and contributes to procurement activities for transit projects, equipment, technology, and operational services.
• Participates in Federal and State audits, compliance reviews, inspections, and other regulatory activities as required.
• Represents RYDE Racine on transportation committees and participates in professional transportation associations, particularly those focused on transit operations, service delivery, safety, and mobility.
• Maintains current knowledge of emerging transportation technologies, operational practices, service delivery models, and industry innovations; evaluates their potential application to RYDE Racine's operations.
• Works collaboratively with the Transit & Mobility Director, City departments, employees, labor representatives, regulatory agencies, and external partners to address operational issues and maintain high-quality transit service.
• Performs other duties as assigned in support of the effective and efficient operation of the Transit Department.

Qualifications

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrated experience managing daily transit operations, including service delivery, scheduling, safety, fleet, facilities, and maintenance coordination.
• Ability to make independent, sound decisions that support safe, reliable, efficient, and compliant transit operations.
• Strong knowledge of transit operations, regulatory requirements, labor practices, and service delivery standards.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, implement, and evaluate operational policies, procedures, and performance measures.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills with the ability to identify operational issues and implement effective solutions.
• Ability to manage operational budgets, resources, staffing, and competing priorities effectively.
• Experience overseeing operational technology, scheduling systems, timekeeping, and other tools supporting service delivery.
• Ability to manage capital projects and operational initiatives while minimizing impacts to transit service.
• Demonstrated leadership skills with the ability to promote safety, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Ability to build effective working relationships with employees, labor representatives, vendors, regulatory agencies, and community partners.
• Ability to use operational data, ridership trends, and performance measures to improve service reliability, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
• Ability to support long-range service, workforce, fleet, facility, and budget planning in collaboration with the Transit & Mobility Director.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Public Administration, Business Management, Finance, Accounting, Transportation, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Must have at least five (5) years minimum of transit-related management level experience.

Supplemental Information

The City of Racine is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

City Employee Benefits - 2026

• Health Insurance
• 92.5% of the Premium is paid by the City of Racine - either single or family.
• Centivo administers the PPO Plans that are offered. You can chose from two high-deductible health plans and one low-deductible health plan, with two different networks offered.
• CVS Caremark administers our prescription plan
• Payment of $50 per month to employees who waive health coverage
• Health Savings Account (H.S.A.)
• A Health Savings Account (H.S.A.) is a tax beneficial savings account that can be used in conjunction with a qualified High – Deductible Health Plan. The funds put into an H.S.A. may be used on future, eligible health care expenses without any taxation. The City makes a prorated, one-time contribution to an employee’s Health Savings Account, with the amount of the contribution determined at the time of hire.
• The maximum contribution amounts are determined by the IRS each year.
• Racine Employee Health & Wellness Center
• The Employee Health and Wellness Center run by Ascension Wisconsin is available to you and your dependent(s) if enrolled in the medical insurance
• It provides comprehensive services including clinic visits, health coaching, and preventative exams and health screenings.
• Life Insurance
• City provides one unit equal to your annual earnings
• Employee may buy additional insurance – each unit is equal to your annual earnings.
• Maximum additional life insurance is four units; For a total of five (5) units at the maximum coverage.
• Cost depends on age and annual salary
• Spouse and Dependent Life Insurance is available – maximum coverage is $20,000 for spouse and $10,000 for dependents, cost is $3.20 per month or half for $1.60/month
• Pension
• Wisconsin Retirement System, the contribution rate for 2026 is 14.4% Funded 50% by the City of Racine and 50% by the employee.
• Rates can change per year depending upon what is approved through WRS.
• Vacation
• Less than 4 years of continuous service – 96 hours
• At least 4 years but less than 9 years of continuous service – 136
• At least 9 years but less than 14 years of continuous service - 176
• At least 14 years but less than 21 years of continuous service - 216
• At least 21 years of continuous service – 256
• You may carry over up to 80 hours into the next year.
• During the first calendar year of employment, new employees shall earn vacation on a prorated basis based on the new employee’s start date.
• Holidays
• 13 paid holidays, 12 scheduled and 1 floating
• Sick Leave
• Accrues at the rate of 1 day per full month worked.
• Casual Days
• You can earn up to 4 casual days based off the amount of sick time that you have accrued.
• You are also eligible for an additional casual day if you use 16 hours or less of sick time in the preceding year.
• Dental Insurance
• MetLife administers our dental plan with two options available to employees (Basic plan or Advanced plan). Employees pay the premium with a pre-tax payroll deduction.
• The City of Racine pays for the Basic Employee premium if you are enrolled in the medical insurance.
• Vision Insurance
• Superior Vision administers our vision plan with one option. Employees pay the premium with a pre-tax payroll deduction.
• Flexible Spending Plans
• Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts administered by Health Equity.
• The maximum contributions are determined by the IRS each year.
• Short Term Disability Policy
• Automatically enrolled in a short-term disability insurance policy through MetLife, excludes Water and Wastewater Utility Employees.
• 70% of annual income, up to 13 weeks with a maximum benefit of $2,000 weekly.
• Employee Assistance Program
• The City of Racine offers an employee assistance program through Advocate Aurora.
• Parental Leave
• 320 hours of paid parental leave, if eligible for FMLA. Water and Wastewater Utility employees are eligible for 80 hours.
• Deferred Compensation
• Provided through Nationwide, Security Benefit (RPA/The Standard) or Wisconsin Deferred Comp.
• Supplemental Insurance
• Provided through AFLAC Funded by payroll deduction
• Accident, Hospital & Cancer policies are available
• Tuition Reimbursement
• $4,000 per year, or 80% of the employee's total tuition cost, whichever is lower.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• The PSLF Program promotes full-time public sector employment. Public Employees, may qualify for public service loan forgiveness after making 120 payments toward their student loans while working full-time in public service. This means that nurses, policeman, firefighters, public health, and government employees can be eligible for participation. The Forgiveness Program was designed uniquely to provide relief to those who are doing the best for our communities every day. To find out if you qualify for a forgiveness program call 866-706-5005.
• Wellness Incentive
• Employees, spouses, and retirees covered by the City health insurance plan who complete the Wellness Incentive requirements are eligible to receive $200, spouses receive $100.
• Fitness Reimbursement
• Employees, spouses, and retirees covered by the City health insurance plan are eligible for 50% reimbursement of their annual membership fee up to a maximum of $200 per household.
• Reimbursement also includes fitness classes and weight reduction programs.
• City of Racine Residency
• City of Racine employees that are non-represented are eligible for a 4% per hour pay differential if you provide proof that you are City of Racine resident.
• City of Racine residency pay differential rates are different for:
• Racine Police Association – 3% differential rate
• Local 321 Firefighter Union – 3% differential rate
• Transit Union – 2% differential rate
• You can receive additional City contribution into your H.S.A. account if you are a City of Racine Resident. Residency contributions are based on what

Additional information about the City’s comprehensive benefits package can be found on the following website; Active Employees - City of Racine - Human Resources Department