What are the responsibilities and job description for the Deputy Chief Operations Officer (Bus Operations) position at North County Transit District?
DEFINITION
The primary responsibilities of the Deputy Chief Operations Officer (Bus Operations) are to work directly with the Chief Operations Officer (Bus Operations) to oversee the operations, maintenance, and development of North County Transit District’s (NCTD) transit and shared mobility system including the development and implementation of policies, plans, and programs focused on ensuring safety, cleanliness, service quality, and customer experience.
Distinguishing Characteristics
The Deputy Chief Operations Officer (Bus Operations) typically plays a key role in overseeing the day-to-day management and operational efficiency of bus fleets and systems within an organization. Key distinguishing characteristics include a strong background in transportation management, leadership skills, and the ability to manage logistics, safety protocols, route optimization, and budgeting. The Deputy Chief Operations Officer (Bus Operations) works closely with the Chief Operations Officer (Bus Operations) to ensure operational goals are met, while also focusing on customer satisfaction, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement of services. This role requires a balance of strategic planning and hands-on problem-solving in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
Supervision Received and Exercised
In the position of Deputy Chief Operations Officer (Bus Operations), supervision is received from the Chief Operations Officer (Bus Operations) or senior leadership, who provide strategic direction and high-level goals. The Deputy Chief Operations Officer (Bus Operations) operates with significant autonomy, making operational decisions within the framework set by the Chief Operations Officer (Bus Operations). They exercise substantial supervision over multiple teams, including bus operators, maintenance crews, dispatchers, road supervisors, schedulers, and customer service personnel, providing guidance, performance oversight, and ensuring adherence to safety regulations and operational procedures. Additionally, the Deputy Chief Operations Officer (Bus Operations) leads and mentors staff, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement within the bus operations division.
Working Conditions
Normal working conditions for this position are in an office, maintenance facility, and field setting. Business travel may be required periodically between District sites, governmental agencies, consultant’s facilities, and other locations as required. The ability to work additional hours outside a normal work schedule is essential to fulfill the expectations of the role.
Essential Functions
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Oversees and provides direction and support to NCTD's bus and/or other shared mobility transportation operations to ensure attainment of NCTD’s departmental goals and objectives within established policies and parameters.
Makes recommendations and presentations to the Chief Operations Officer (Bus Operations), executive management staff, and Board of Directors on matters pertaining to Busand/or other shared mobility Operations.
Supports the Chief Operations Officer (Bus Operations) in developing, implementing, and directing budgets, goals, and business plans for NCTD's transit operations.
Provides leadership, direction, and support to an assigned area of transit operations to ensure attainment of NCTD’s departmental objectives within established policies, parameters, and budgets.
Coordinates activities within transit operations to assure peak performance and productivity, as well as conformance with established or mandated external regulations and policies affecting NCTDoperations, measures performance levels and goal achievement.
Develops and implements strategic business plans focusing on transportation needs in cooperation and coordination with all NCTD’s departments involved in regional decisions.
Advises the Chief Operations Officer (Bus Operations) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) on significant matters affecting NCTD’s transit operations and policies.
Assists the Chief Operations Officer (Bus Operations) in developing and implementing short-range and long-range goals and business plans.
Formulates policy recommendations for the Board of Directors, attends Board meetings, and advisesBoard.
Formulates and recommends operating policies and procedures or changes in existing policies or procedures.
Chairs and serves as a member of interdepartmental and interagency committees.
RepresentsNCTD, and the Chief Operations Officer (Bus Operations) as designated in meetings, as committee member, and before community and business groups.
Provides policy direction for the External Affairs function of NCTD.
Leads and directs a capital investment program.
Directs the conduct of studies, investigations, and analyses at the direction of the Chief Operations Officer (Bus Operations) and presents oral and written reports of findings and recommendations.
Creates NCTD's safety vision; approves and adopts the agency's safety rules, policies, and procedures; communicates safety expectations; and maintains accountability for the safety performance of the entire agency.
Develops solutions for challenges arising from constrained and conflicted resource demands.
Provides guidance, coaching, mentoring, training, and oversight for assigned employees through subordinate department heads and managerial staff.
Contributes to ensuring that the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policies and programs of NCTD are carried out.
Other duties, as assigned.
Experience/Education
A combination of education and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Additional experience, as outlined below, may be substituted for required education on a year-for-year basis. A typical combination includes:
Education
Bachelor's Degree in Business, Public Administration, or a related field;
Master's Degree in Business, Public Administration, or a related field preferred.
Experience
Five years of relevant executive management-level experience in public transit operations
Certificates/Licenses
Possession of and the ability to maintain a California driver’s license, Class C, with less than 6 points in the prior 36-month period and no DUIs in the prior 7 years.
- Must be able to obtain and maintain access to Marine Corp Base Camp Pendleton.
General Requirements
In-depth knowledge of transportation system planning, public administration principles, budgeting, and relevant local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
- Strong skills in organizing, managing, and overseeing multi-tiered public transit operations, as well as developing policies, procedures, and internal controls.
- Excellent leadership abilities, with experience in team-building, mentoring staff, and fostering a high-performance work environment.
- Expertise in transportation logistics, route optimization, and fleet management.
- Experience with financial, analytical, and statistical research processes specific to transit operations.
- Familiarity with capital and operating budget management, including forecasting and cost control for bus operations.
- Knowledge of safety protocols, regulatory compliance, and environmental considerations in transit programs.
- Ability to lead efforts in continuous improvement, innovation, and adopting best practices within bus operations.
- Understanding of labor/management agreements and ability to manage employee relations effectively.
- Ability to analyze complex data, identify issues, implement solutions, and evaluate outcomes.
- Proven capability to manage multiple projects, meet critical deadlines, and make decisions under pressure.
- Effective communicator, with the ability to represent the organization to officials and the public and build cooperative relationships.
- Proficiency in English (reading, writing, speaking, and understanding).
- Intermediate to advanced proficiency in computer software programs, particularly the Microsoft Office Suite.
- Experience with Document Management Systems and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, such as JDEdwards plus.
Physical Requirements
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Ability to use the phone and computer for extended periods, sitting at a desk or table, type and use a keyboard and mouse to perform necessary computer-based functions, standing, communicating through speech in the English language required, and color recognition (e.g., distinguishing wires, resistors, containers, light signals, etc.).
Ability to hear, see and to communicate verbally to exchange information.
Ability to physically travel between District locations and other destinations, work in evenings when required, work in hazardous conditions, and negotiate a variety of different and irregular terrain as is typical along a railway right of way.
Machines / Tools / Equipment
Ability to operate a personal computer and Microsoft Office Suite programs.
- Ability to operate standard office equipment, including a fax and scanner machine, copy machine, and telephone.
Salary : $152,941 - $252,289
