Deputy Director of Transportation

To apply, please complete PSTA's online application process AND email a copy of your cover letter and resume to our recruiting firm, TransPro Consulting, at Veronica Garner:  Veronica.Garner@transproconsulting.com and Jill Barnett:  Jill.Barnett@transproconsulting.com 

Overview 

·         Provide assistance to the Director of Transportation by exercising direct oversight for the daily operation of PSTA’s transit service within Pinellas County. Manage, plan, and organize Transportation Department activities and staff. Ensure that safe, reliable, and quality service is provided to the riding public. Ensure transit operations are compliant with all federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies.

·         Develop and lead strategies to improve PSTA’s daily fixed-route and mobility operations. This will at times include issues which affect scheduling, shift bidding, safety concerns, service reliability, facilities’ cleanliness, and the overall quality and effectiveness of service.

·         Oversee labor relations with the bargaining units representing the Transportation Supervisors group, and frontline employees made up of Bus Operators, Maintenance personnel and Customer Service Representatives.

·         Coordinate with other departments to ensure appropriate resources are deployed for all of Operations. 

·         Periodically fill in for the Director of Transportation at executive meetings and high-level presentations to the Board.

Responsibilities

·         Supervise the Transportation Department’s bargaining and non-bargaining employees encompassing the operation of PSTA’s dispatch and route services.

·         Provide direction for the Transportation Department by setting goals, objectives, and establishing performance and financial standards, as measured by the company’s scorecard performance management and benchmarking program.

·         Supervise direct reports and support staff including Superintendent of Transportation and Transportation Supervisors. Oversight includes prioritizing and assigning work, conducting performance evaluations, enforcing policies and procedures, making hiring decisions, and determining courses of action or making recommendations for disciplinary actions or adverse work status changes. Observe and analyze work practices, recommending positive changes as needed.

·         Oversee dispatch, radio room, scheduling and road supervision activities of the Transportation Supervisors to include distributing workplan procedures and schedules. Review, evaluate, and inspect Transportation Supervisors’ work performance through quality control checks.

·         Oversee and coordinate staff training and certifications in conjunction with the Safety, Security, & Training and Human Resources Departments, to include drills and special refresher training or certification courses as needed.

·         Initiate workforce planning to ensure that adequate staff exists to meet service schedule requirements.

·         Manage the Labor Agreements with Bus Operators and Transportation Supervisors to include contract compliance, and grievance resolution. Serve as a member of the contract negotiating team and other labor relations committees as requested.

·         Handle complex and difficult matters with the Union as they may arise. Meet with Union representatives in order to reach resolution for areas of conflict, confusion or contention.

·         Oversee and make recommendations related to investigations, inappropriate conduct occurrences, accidents, disputes or other operational irregularities.

·         Ensure all required reporting, documenting, and filing is completed as required by PSTA, state, and federal record-keeping rules, regulations, and procedures.

·         Work with internal and external groups including other transit operations divisions, Fleet Maintenance, Facilities Maintenance, Scheduling, Planning, Finance, Information Technology, Human Resources, customers, Union officers and stewards, PSTA board members, local emergency response organizations, contractors, elected officials, and representatives from public and private organizations for a variety of various operational issues and projects.

·         Investigate and resolve customer complaints. Mitigate high-profile service delivery issues with board members, elected officials, other agencies, and the public with immediate, prompt, and resolute effect.

·         Provide expert assistance to the Planning, Scheduling, Payroll, and Benefits staff as required.

·         Maintain current standard operating procedures (SOPs) regarding shift scheduling, dispatching, radio operating, road supervision, safety response and other applicable work processes.

·         Assist in the preparation of the Transportation budget. Administer the budget as applicable to track and minimize expenditures.

·         Prepare, coordinate, and cooperate with other departments to provide documentation for the FTA triennial review, drug and alcohol audits, state or federal system audits, and/or independent audits as may arise.

·         Report to work as an “essential employee” and fulfill a leadership role in emergency situations or disasters, acts of nature or major incidents/accidents, attending related required meetings as assigned.

·         Responsibilities may involve stressful and/or negative interactions requiring high levels of tact and the ability to respond to aggressive interpersonal interactions.

·         Perform all duty assignments using independent judgement, requesting PSTA executive staff assistance as/when necessary. Manage special projects with minimal oversight and assignments being reviewed upon completion.

·         Responsible for actively supporting implementation of PSTA’s EEO Program and equitably administering all Authority policies and procedures.

·         Report any security concerns, vandalism, threats and vulnerabilities of PSTA facilities. Maintain work area in a safe and secure manner. Enforce Safety Program and promote high standards of safety and good housekeeping methods in the operation of the Transportation Department.

Qualifications

·         Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with course work in business, transportation, or related field.  May consider High School Diploma or G.E.D. combined with experience requirements, supplemented by additional courses or training in transportation, business, or other relevant area.

·         Experience: Seven years experience in the transit industry, including five years in progressively responsible positions managing staff. Preferred experience working with labor unions, including day-to-day interactions and contract negotiations.

·         Software: Advanced skills to include but not limited to: MS Windows, MS Internet Explorer, MS Office (Word, Excel, Access, Power Point, Outlook).

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS & ABILITIES

·         Knowledge of: Applicable Federal, State and Local laws, rules and regulations including the Americans with Disabilities Act; Basic budgeting principles and practices; Homeland Security’s “NIMS” structure and methods to be deployed during times of an emergency.

·         Skilled in: Strong communication and relationship-building skills, including in challenging situations. Providing senior-level staff leadership including motivating and rewarding employees. Labor relations and maintaining good communications with a bargaining unit and Union. Making and taking action on decisions. Exercising independent judgement. Investigating, documenting and reporting inappropriate conduct occurrences, accidents, disputes, or other operational irregularities. Excellent oral and written skills including the ability to write clear and effective reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Conducting investigations and responding to customer or employee complaints.

·         Abilities: Interact with other transit agencies, governmental agencies, community organizations, and the public regarding transit operations, service and commuter matters. Make presentations to a wide range of audiences. Read, analyze, and interpret PSTA policies, professional journals, technical publications, and government regulations. Work with a diverse workgroup, being supportive of different backgrounds, experiences and cultures to create a cohesive environment of trust. Meet the demands of a fast-paced environment that may require meeting deadlines specific to driver run assignments. Manage special projects with minimal oversight.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

·         Office setting mainly exposed to background noise related to a busy radio control center, dispatch window, and frequent employee inquiries in personal office. Exposure to hundreds of employees in various break rooms, offices, and restrooms to include some exposure to buses and other vehicles in a maintenance bay climate and general parking area for fleet of vehicles.