Deputy Chief Operations Officer (Bus Operations) (Project Management)

At Regional Transportation District (RTD), We make lives better through connections!

When you join RTD, you will be among dedicated employees exhibiting RTD's values of passion, respect, diversity, trustworthiness, collaboration, and ownership. RTD is committed to an inclusive and diverse workplace. As part of our diversity value statement, we encourage our employees to honor diversity in thought, people, and experience. Come join RTD on this great journey to be the trusted leader in mobility, delivering excellence and value to our customers and community.

RTD Employee Benefits: https://www.rtd-denver.com/careers/benefits

(RTD Represented Employee Benefits: Please refer to the Labor Agreement included in the above link for details.)

The Deputy Chief Operations Officer (Bus Operations) provides strategic leadership across all aspects of bus operations, including transportation, street operations, maintenance, and contracted services. This role ensures service reliability, operations efficiency, and a welcoming transit environment.
Reporting to the Chief Operations Office, the DCOOB drives fiscal oversight and strategic priorities enhancing service reliability and customer satisfaction while fostering an engaged, empowered, and high-performing workforce. The position collaborates across departments to implement strategies that optimize transit performance, ensure safety compliance, and support continuous improvement.

DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leadership and Strategy

• Provides leadership and direction to Bus Operations (Bus Transportation, Street Operations, Maintenance, and Contracted Services.  Establishing department goals, objectives, and performance metrics aligned with the agency's strategic priorities.
• Provides leadership and direction for all aspects of the organization's ADA complementary and supplemental paratransit services (i.e., Access-a-Ride, Access-on-Demand), in addition to Microtransit programs (FlexRide).
• Leads strategic projects to improve service delivery, drive innovation, and support the agency's long-term vision.
• Reviews, develops, and directs the implementation of policies and strategies to continuously improve bus service delivery and safety.
• Plays an integral role on the Leadership Team, ensuring coordination across departments and alignment with agency-wide initiatives.
• Collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to enhance service delivery, customer experience, and transit initiatives.
• Works collaboratively with internal stakeholders to identify, develop, and execute strategic initiatives in support of the Agency's strategic plan.

Finance and Operations

• Serves as a senior leader in the annual bus operations budget planning process and actively engages with budget holders to ensure accurate forecasting and expense management assuring fiscal responsibility and cost-effective resource allocation.
• Allocates fleet, people power, and other resources to optimize service efficiency and meet demand.
• Identifies cost saving opportunities, revenue generation strategies, and process improvements to enhance operational effectiveness.
• Ensures financial decisions support long-term organizational sustainability and operational priorities.

Safety and Compliance

• Fosters a safety culture internally and externally liaising with, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), and other applicable regulatory agencies to ensure a mechanically safe deployment of transit services.
• Develops and enforces safety programs, risk policies, and emergency plans to minimize risks and ensure employee and customer safety.
• Collaborates with union representatives on safety concerns, workplace investigations, and compliance-related labor matters.
• Advises department leaders, assisting in decision-making and problem resolution on safety and compliance-related issues.
• Aids in the development and implementation of administrative policies and organizational structures to enhance operational safety and efficiency.

People Power Management

• Maintains appropriate staffing levels and reviews progress to ensure the quality and quantity of work meets standards and deadlines for deliverables to meet program goals and objectives.
• Recruits staff to include interviewing, hiring, assigning work, training, coaching, and counseling to ensure consistent application of Employee Guidelines, processes, and procedures.
• Conducts performance reviews and hold employees accountable for optimal performance
• of their responsibilities.
• Fosters a safety-first culture, prioritizing prevention, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Takes action to advance the goals of Equal Employment Opportunity, Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Title VI and ADA Plans, thereby ensuring RTD's hiring programs, work environment, contracting and procurement practices, and transit services/programs are fair, equal, and non-discriminatory.

Additional Duties

• Provides leadership and direction to accomplish the agency's strategic goals and objectives for bus operations.
• Informs and advises the Chief Operations Officer regarding current trends, problems, and activities to facilitate both short, mid, and long-term strategic plans as well as improve operational performance.
• Identifies and resolves technical and operational issues and problems that impact the agency or its customers.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Transportation Management, Planning, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field. 
• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible senior management experience in bus operations, transit service planning, or transportation management.
• Five (5) years of experience leading and managing diverse teams in public transit or similar regulated industry, including experience managing in a unionized environment. 
• Strong knowledge of federal and state transit regulations, labor laws, and industry best practices. 

Preferred:

• Previous leadership experience within a complex public transit agency.
• Knowledge of emerging transit technologies and innovations to improve service delivery. 
• Experience as a member of a joint labor management safety committee.
• Demonstrated labor relations experience, including participation in collective bargaining.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES:

• Comprehensive knowledge of transit operations, including scheduling, fleet management, maintenance, and customer service.
• Expertise in transportation logistics, route optimization, and fleet management.
• Ability to analyze and interpret operational data to improve service delivery and efficiency.
• Knowledge of safety protocols, regulatory compliance, and environmental considerations in transit programs.
• Ability to develop and implement policies, procedures, and operational plans that align with agency goals.
• Financial acumen, including budget development, cost control, financial forecasting, and resource allocation.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate teams, resolve conflicts, and drive performance improvements.
• Financial acumen with demonstrated experience managing large budgets, cost control, and operational efficiency. 
• Ability to plan, prioritize, and execute multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to make data-driven decisions. 
• Skilled in collaborative problem-solving and working with government agencies, community groups, and industry partners.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to present to senior leadership, government agencies, and public stakeholders.

OR:

• An equivalent combination of education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those encountered while performing the essential functions of this job.

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform these functions.
• This role primarily involves working in an office environment with minimal exposure to excessive noise or adverse environmental conditions.
• Duties typically involve using a computer and handling documents. Frequent communication is required, including speaking and actively listening.

Pay Range:

$170,479.00 - $240,801.25 Annual

RTD is an Equal Opportunity Employer, please see our EEO policy [ https://www.rtd-denver.com/sites/default/files/files/2022-12/EEO%20Policy%20Statement-%20UPDATED.pdf ]

RTD posts a compensation range that represents a good faith estimate of what RTD anticipates paying for the position at the time of posting.  Starting salary is based on the candidate's relevant and verified education, training and work experience.  Applicants should submit all relevant and verifiable education, training and work experiences at the time of application.