Vice President, Vehicle Maintenance

Chicago Transit Authority; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 185,000 - 205,000; Full time

Job summary

The Chicago Transit Authority is seeking a senior executive to plan, direct, and coordinate the principal planning and operating functions of the Bus and Rail Maintenance operations, programs, activities and personnel. This role balances budget targets with ridership goals and elevates customer focus while reducing safety problems through improved security and fewer service delays.

The position requires extensive executive-level management, strong leadership, and the ability to interact with

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree plus ten (10) years of experience implementing vehicle maintenance programs, of which five (5) years is in a supervisory or management role, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Possess extensive managerial experience at the executive level.
• Must maintain Rail Safety and Incident Commander cards.
• Must possess a valid driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Oversees the programs, procedures and objectives to ensure high quality bus and rail maintenance services are provided in a safe, efficient and expeditious manner.
• Establishes and executes programs to meet Authority objectives and develops an organization that will hold accountable and effectively administer the responsibilities and functions of Maintenance areas.
• Confers with and assists the Chief Transit Officer in formulating longer‑term goals and objectives and in the administration of policies and programs.
• Develops and administers a uniform concept of management ensuring that personnel within each of the divisions possess a comprehensive understanding of assigned responsibilities.
• Coordinates all bus and rail maintenance operations activities to insure peak service levels are met twice a day.
• Responsible for maintaining sufficient security levels in order to protect customers, employees and facilities.
• Meets and interfaces with the public and the media as well as various levels of management from other transit jurisdictions and representatives from various governmental agencies and develops and fosters relationships which will be beneficial to the Authority.
• Keeps Chief Transit Officer, Mechanical Officers and General Managers apprised of information and performance indicators relative to special projects, plans and programs as assigned.
• Keeps abreast of new developments and advancements within the areas of Bus and Rail Maintenance.
• Hires, trains, develops, monitors, and evaluates performance of staff. Reviews and recommends personnel actions for approval.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Communication

Project management

Team building

Strategic planning

Operations management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

SALARY

$185,000 - $205,000

POSITION SUMMARY

Plans, directs and coordinates the principal planning and operating functions of the Bus and Rail Maintenance operations, programs, activities and personnel. Balances the need to meet budget marks and improve ridership while moving the organization toward a customer focus. Eliminates safety problems through increased security and minimization of service delays.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversees the programs, procedures and objectives to ensure high quality bus and rail maintenance services are provided in a safe, efficient and expeditious manner. Oversees communication between the incident site, management and responding personnel during planned and unplanned service disruptions and equipment issues.
• Establishes and executes programs to meet Authority objectives and develops an organization that will hold accountable and effectively administer the responsibilities and functions of Maintenance areas.
• Confers with and assists the Chief Transit Officer in formulating longer‑term goals and objectives and in the administration of policies and programs. Performs duties of the Chief Transit Officer in the Chief Transit Officer's absence.
• Develops and administers a uniform concept of management ensuring that personnel within each of the divisions possess a comprehensive understanding of assigned responsibilities.
• Coordinates all bus and rail maintenance operations activities to insure peak service levels are met twice a day.
• Responsible for maintaining sufficient security levels in order to protect customers, employees and facilities.
• Meets and interfaces with the public and the media as well as various levels of management from other transit jurisdictions and representatives from various governmental agencies and develops and fosters relationships which will be beneficial to the Authority.
• Keeps Chief Transit Officer, Mechanical Officers and General Managers apprised of information and performance indicators relative to special projects, plans and programs as assigned.
• Keeps abreast of new developments and advancements within the areas of Bus and Rail Maintenance.
• Hires, trains, develops, monitors, and evaluates performance of staff. Reviews and recommends personnel actions for approval.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

• Mechanical Officer – Bus
• Mechanical Officer – Rail
• Senior Manager, Administration
• Executive Assistant

CHALLENGES

• Maintaining required service and maintenance levels under adverse conditions; i.e. weather, construction and staffing.
• Improving operation efficiencies in all areas by providing the necessary tools and skills to keep updated.
• Minimizing service delays, especially during unforeseen incidents or events.
• Keeping abreast of new developments and advancements within the field of Vehicle Maintenance.

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree plus ten (10) years of experience implementing vehicle maintenance programs, of which five (5) years is in a supervisory or management role, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Possess extensive managerial experience at the executive level.
• Must maintain Rail Safety and Incident Commander cards.
• Must possess a valid driver's license.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Requires sitting for extended periods of time, standing, visual acuity, manual dexterity, and fingering for working with computer keyboards.
• Must be capable of walking elevated structures and rail yards.
• Must be able to work around energized 600‑volt DC electrical current, moving trains and equipment.
• Service Area Requirement: Exempt (Non‑Union) employees must live within the boundaries of the CTA Statutory Service Area either at the time of employment or within six months of beginning employment at CTA.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Detailed knowledge of principles, policies, and practices of vehicle maintenance and related programs.
• Detailed knowledge of the operations, services, and activities of comprehensive maintenance, installation, and repair programs.
• Detailed knowledge of pertinent local, state and federal laws, rules, regulations, and collective bargaining agreements.
• Detailed knowledge of the methods and practices in budget planning and administration.
• Detailed knowledge of the principles of team building, motivation, delegation, and conflict resolution.
• Detailed knowledge of the methods and principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
• Strong leadership skills.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Strong written and oral communication skills for directing and supervising the work of managerial, professional, technical and clerical staff.
• Strong organization, financial, presentation and operational skills.
• Ability to manage and think on a large scale over multiple projects.
• Ability to drive results by identifying and resolving significant problems within scope of responsibility.
• Ability to deal professionally, courteously, and tactfully with the public and coworkers.
• Ability to analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of Authority and departmental goals.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• General office environment.
• Required to travel to various CTA, vendor, and transit property locations.
• Subject to normal garage/shop hazards such as noise, dust, grease, moving vehicles, etc., when visiting field locations.
• Subject to weather conditions when visiting field locations.
• This position is considered a "C‑List" position under the "Revolving Door" prohibition within the State Officials and Employees Act (5 ILCS 430/5‑45), which contains a number of post‑employment restrictions CTA employees in C‑list designated positions must follow. Among other requirements listed in this statute, CTA employees in C‑list designated positions are required to follow State notification procedures to the Office of the Executive Inspector General prior to acceptance of any applicable non‑State employment or may be fined significant penalties.

EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, AND MATERIALS UTILIZED

• Standard office equipment.
• Personal computer and related software.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER STATEMENT

CTA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. No employee or applicant for employment will be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, ancestry, age, unfavorable military discharge, disability or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws; except where a bona fide occupational qualification exists. CTA will make reasonable accommodations for the known disabilities of otherwise qualified applicants for employment as well as its employees, unless undue hardship would result. If you require an accommodation in the application or hiring process, please contact [e-mail] prior to the submission of your application or upon notification of your actual test date. CTA will work with you to determine if an accommodation can be provided.