DIRECTOR, SERVICE PLANNING (TRANSIT SERVICE PLANNING) - Metropolitan Transportation Authority

Metro’s mission is to provide a world-class transportation system that enhances the quality of life for all who live, work, and play within LA County.

Description

To direct, manage, and execute the performance of an assigned organizational unit responsible for monitoring service performance of Metro Bus and Rail; developing plans and programs to optimize transit services; ensuring that service is in compliance with local, state, and federal mandates; and coordination of the bi-annual service changes for bus and rail.

Examples of Duties

• Directs the development and implementation of transportation policies, plans, programs, projects, and services

• Plans, develops, and administers department policies, procedures, workplans, and budgets

• Develops scopes of work for contracts; resolves legal, contractual, and technical issues

• Provides policy, planning, and program support to management and various agencies

• Directs the technical monitoring, analysis, and evaluation of transportation systems and options

• Monitors the agency policies, plans, programs, and projects to determine compliance with appropriate laws and regulations

• Represents the Authority before various public, private, and government audiences

• Monitors and evaluates transportation programs; develops service and operating alternatives, and financial and funding recommendations

• Coordinates policy, technical, and funding interaction with local, regional and state entities

• Directs the development, application, and evaluation of analytical, quantitative and statistical methods and tools

• Directs preparation of written and oral reports for management and Board policy decisions.

• Establishes, supervises, and enforces priorities of work for staff and consultants

• Develops, reviews, and evaluates contractor proposals; negotiates award amounts; evaluates operating standards and work products; ensures productive use of contractors

• Directs and prepares comprehensive studies, evaluations, cost estimates, and reports needed to support Board of Directors' policy decisions

• Leads special task forces, committees, panels, and peer groups on major issues as required.

• Supervises subordinate staff

• Communicates and implements safety rules, policies, and procedures in support of the agency's safety vision and goals; and maintains accountability for the safety performance of all subordinate employees

• Contributes to ensuring that the EEO policies and programs of Metro are carried out

May be required to perform other related job duties

Minimum Qualifications

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 Urban Planning, Public Administration, Engineering, Business Administration, Geography or other related field; Master's degree in a related field preferred

Experience

• Five years of relevant management-level experience in transportation planning, performance monitoring, scheduling, project management, and/or transit planning

Certifications/Licenses/Special Requirements

• A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions

• Experience conducting transit operations planning and scheduling for bus routes, stops, layovers, and rail lines, with a solid knowledge of transit planning and scheduling principles and practices. 
• Experience developing and implementing major bus transit restructuring studies including managing a set annual budget for revenue service hours, utilizing any transit service planning software, and possessing a strong understanding of addressing equity in transit service plans.
• Experience analyzing large data sets of transit ridership, travel demand data, and other transit operations data, using Microsoft Excel and other tools, and developing new or amending existing transit plans based on such data.
• Experience directing and managing a team of service planners in general day-to-day service planning, annual formal service changes, and major capital projects and other project plans to assess impacts to transit operations and developing adjusted service plans.
• Experience preparing and presenting Microsoft PowerPoint presentations, including those with complex operational data, plans, project reports, and Board reports to senior leadership, stakeholders, and the public, including public hearings, in order to build support for and gain approval for projects.

Essential Knowledge

Knowledge of (defined as a learned body of information that is required for and applied in the performance of job tasks)

• Theories, principles, and practices of transportation planning, transit service scheduling, service performance monitoring, project management, contract administration and negotiation, and business and public administration

• Applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations governing transportation planning and programming for a public agency

• Financial, analytical, statistical, and mathematical processes and procedures

• Organization and procedures of local, state, and federal government entities, including legislative and funding policies and procedures

Skill in (defined as a learned body of information that is required for and applied in the performance of job tasks)

• Overseeing the operations of a public transit operating unit

• Accessing potential route changes

• Determining strategies to achieve goals

• Analyzing situations, identifying problems, recommending solutions, and evaluating outcomes

• Exercising judgment and creativity in making decisions

• Communicating effectively orally and in writing

• Preparing comprehensive correspondence and written and oral reports

• Interacting professionally with various levels of Metro employees and outside agencies and representatives

• Directing, organizing, training, mentoring, and motivating professional and technical staff

Ability to (defined as a present competence to perform an observable behavior or produce an observable result)

• Manage activities of a service planning unit

• Plan, organize, and direct the work of specialized transportation projects and programs

• Develop and implement goals, objectives, policies, procedures, work standards, and internal controls

• Understand, interpret and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, contracts, budgets, and labor/management agreements

• Formulate strategies to achieve goals and objectives

• Communicate effectively orally and in writing

• Interact professionally with various levels of employees and outside representatives

• Exercise judgment and creativity in making decisions.

• Supervise subordinate staff

Special Conditions

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Metro provides reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Working Conditions

• Typical office situation

• Close exposure to computer monitors and video screen

• Local Travel

Physical Effort Required

• Sitting at a desk or table

• Operate a telephone or other telecommunications device and communicate through the medium

• Type and use a keyboard and mouse to perform necessary computer-based functions

• Communicating through speech in the English language required

(TB)

Metro is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, age, veteran status, or disability. Learn more about Metro’s Equal Employment Opportunity Program. Metro does not deny participation in the application process to anyone with prior justice system involvement, in line with Fair Chance hiring practices.

Selection Procedure

Applicants who best meet job-related qualifications will be invited to participate in the examination process that may consist of any combination of written, performance, or oral appraisal to further evaluate job-related experience, knowledge, skills and abilities.

Application Procedure

To apply, visit Metro's website at www.metro.net and complete an online Employment Application.

Computers are available to complete online Employment Applications at the following Metro location:

METRO Headquarters, Employment Office
One Gateway Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Telephone: (213) 922-6217 or persons with hearing or speech impairments can use California Relay Service 711 to contact Metro.

All completed online Employment Applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. on the closing date. 

*Open to the public and all Metro employees

This job bulletin is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. Employees may be required to perform other related job duties.