Assistant Director of Transportation

SUMMARY

The Assistant Director of Transportation plays a pivotal role in overseeing and enhancing the day-to-day operations of GRTC’s transit services, ensuring high standards of quality assurance, operational efficiency, and positive labor relations. This position directly supervises lead supervisors/managers and transportation supervisors, holding them accountable to established expectations while fostering a supportive and morale-boosting environment.

Operating with significant autonomy, the Assistant Director serves as a critical partner to the Director of Transportation and maintains a secondary reporting relationship with the COO. In this capacity, the Assistant Director establishes and monitors key performance indicators (KPIs), steps into supervisory roles as needed, and assumes full leadership responsibilities as Acting Director during the Director’s absence. The role is central to driving strategic improvements, promoting effective leadership, and ensuring a cohesive and high-performing Transportation Department.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Operational Oversight:

1. Support the Director of Transportation in managing daily activities within the department.
2. Manage and lead approximately 30 transportation supervisors and two lead transportation supervisors, ensuring proper training and performance standards are met.
3. Prepare and oversee supervisors’ work schedules and yearly vacation selections, submitting them for approval.
4. Monitor and evaluate supervisory staff to maintain operational excellence and adherence to policies.

Quality Assurance and Control:

1. Develop and implement quality assurance measures to maintain high service standards.
2. Establish and monitor KPIs such as on-time performance, supervisor response times, headway management, and absenteeism.
3. Conduct regular reviews of operational processes, identifying and implementing improvements.

Training and Development:

1. Facilitate training for new and current supervisors, ensuring compliance with regulations and enhancing their skills.
2. Provide ongoing coaching, mentoring, and professional development opportunities for the supervisory team.

Accountability and Expectations:

1. Hold supervisors accountable to performance metrics, operational goals, and behavioral standards.
2. Address performance issues promptly and constructively to ensure alignment with organizational standards.

Labor Relations and Morale:

1. Play a significant role in union negotiations and labor relations, fostering collaboration and mutual respect between supervisors and operators.
2. Actively boost morale among supervisory teams and operators by addressing concerns, resolving conflicts, and recognizing achievements.

Supervisory Functions:

1. Provide direct oversight of street operations, ensuring adherence to department policies and labor agreements.
2. Step into supervisory roles as needed and act as Acting Director in the Director’s absence, ensuring continuity of service and effective leadership.
3. Provide assistance at accident scenes, ensuring adherence to FTA regulations for post-accident testing.

Policy Development and Compliance:

1. Assist in developing and implementing policies and procedures to support operational excellence and compliance.
2. Communicate issues of non-compliance with regulations or labor agreements to the Director and recommend corrective actions.

Special Projects and Initiatives:

1. Assist with events and projects, such as HASTUS support, training program development, and operator re-training.
2. Act as a liaison between the Transportation Department and IS Department for new software implementations.
3. Provide input on strategic plans and offer insights for executive decision-making.

Reports and Documentation:

1. Draft briefs, memos, and reports to communicate updates and insights to stakeholders.
2. Ensure accurate and comprehensive documentation of operational activities and recommendations.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

1. Establish and monitor KPIs relevant to transit operations, identifying trends and guiding strategic decisions.

Other Responsibilities:

1. Conduct employment interviews for Bus Operator and Supervisor candidates.
2. Create supervisor checklists for each function area of the department.
3. Verify that Supervisor and Operator DOT Medical Examiner’s cards and CDL Licenses are up to date.
4. Monitor daily operator attendance and make sure disciplinary policy is followed.
5. Manage performance evaluations for supervisory staff.
6. Act as GRTC’s liaison to the City of Richmond’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC).

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Abnormal hours and/or spilt shifts may be required; must work outside regular service and business hours as required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Knowledge of all aspects of transit operations and safety programs.
• Knowledge of Federal, State, and local laws and regulations pertaining to the transit industry.
• Knowledge of the service area geography and of types of equipment.
• Knowledge of principles of supervision, motivation, and counseling.
• Considerable knowledge of GRTC policies and procedures, rules and regulations affecting transit operation.
• Knowledge of union contract provisions, especially those affecting operators' hours and pay.
• Ability to speak clearly and concisely, to understand views and concerns of others, to operate a radio system, to solve operator problems and to take effective action in emergencies.
• Knowledge of all routes, transfers rules, fare structure, and operating procedures.
• Knowledge of labor-management relationships and effective negotiation.
• Knowledge of mechanical alarm, emergency and accident procedures and policies.
• Must display sound decision-making.
• Knowledge of the Drug & Alcohol Policy and regulations.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills required.
• Excellent interpersonal skills required.

Education and/or Experience

• A college degree is preferred.
• A minimum of three (3) years of transit supervisory experience required.
• Valid Virginia drivers’ license required. CDL preferred.
• Proficient PC skills
• Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint required.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills required.
• Excellent interpersonal skills required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions