Salary: $8,027.00 - $12,881.00 Monthly
Location : Bend, OR
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 22-00214
Department: Transportation
Opening Date: 07/21/2026

POSITION SUMMARY
Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council's Cascade East Transit (CET) is looking for a Transit Director. $8,027.00 - $12,881.00/Monthly, DOE and Qualifications. This is a great opportunity for someone with a strong background in Public Transit Management who wants to lead one of Oregon's fastest growing transit systems. The ideal candidate will be a visionary leader with experience advancing mobility, stewarding complex regional systems, and driving innovative solutions in rural transportation. Demonstrated ability to build and leverage executive-level relationships with ODOT, legislators, and local governments is essential.
Role of Department:
Cascades East Transit (CET) is a department operating within the Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council (COIC). The overarching purpose of CET is to strengthen regional transportation services and infrastructure through the development and implementation of regionally based transportation plans, administration and operations, service coordination, and project development. A regional approach to transportation enhances efficiencies among transportation organizations and ensures regional connectivity for Central Oregon's residents, businesses and visitors.

Job Purpose:
The Transit Director is responsible for all aspects of Cascades East Transit (CET). This position oversees all Transportation planning, operations, development, budgeting and staffing; ensuring operational safety, effectiveness, and efficiency. This position oversees the development of transportation options that create a strong transportation system to meet the growing needs of the region. Provide internal and regional leadership on transportation issues, and develop partnerships and support for all Transportation programs.

FUNCTIONS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this position and is subject to change. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive list of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this position. Employment remains AT-WILL at all times.

Department Leadership & Management:

• Develop and implement management policies and practices for safe, efficient, cost-effective, and customer-service focused transportation operations.
• Lead, coach mentor, guide, and oversee the work of supervisors/managers.
• Participate and provide leadership in union contract negotiations; labor management meetings, ensure collaborative and productive interaction with union representatives.
• Manage and oversee department contracts and subcontracts.
• Ensure efficient and effective staff management and staff development, with emphasis on a strong culture of customer service, mutual trust, teamwork, wellness, and safety.
• Manage and provide leadership for planning, data, and technology functions.
• Lead and provide research and implementation of new transportation options to meet growing regional needs.
• Develop and implement processes for forecasting market conditions and trends.

Budget and System Planning:

• Oversee the development of program, project and transportation department budgets; ensuring all operate within established budgets.
• Oversee grant writing, grant management, and grant life cycle activities.
• Develop appropriate short and long-term plans for the build-out and financing of the transportation systems.
• Ensure financial systems and procedures meet funding requirements and are consistent with applicable Federal requirements and other statutory requirements.

Statewide/Regional Activities:

• Engage with and bring leadership to state-level discussions and committees/work groups that impact transportation funding and policies.
• Outreach and Partnership Development; Develop and Maintain Regional Support for CET.
• Ensure an active and engaged regional Public Transit Advisory Committee (PTAC) is in place to provide feedback on CET services and policies.
• Develop and maintain relationships with local and other governments; communicate to local/regional leadership the value of CET and other related transportation systems, and identify and secure local funding allocations to support a strong transportation system.
• Develop and maintain relationships with regional partners, including organizations representing transit-dependent populations, transit, and mobility options advocacy organizations, businesses, public health and safety, and city/county planning departments.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key funding agencies, including ODOT (Oregon Department of Transportation) Public Transit Division, Coordinated Care Organizations, and Department of Human Services.
• Ensure organizational responsivenessincluding,regular,ongoingcommunicationwithtransitstakeholdersandthepublic.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Broad-based and detailed knowledge of transportation and transit service development principles and practices.
• Ability to manage a large and complex department.
• Working knowledge of transit operations, department and project management, budgeting practices, labor relations, strategic planning, and employee development and supervision.
• Ability to identify, develop, and maintain strategic relationships/contacts with local, regional, and national public agencies, non-profit and private industry managers.
• Work independently and effectively under pressure without close supervision.
• Communicate effectively, both in writing and verbally.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships and work as a team.
• Demonstrated public speaking and presentation skills.
• Exhibit courtesy and professionalism to represent COIC in a manner that will maintain and promote the positive reputation of the organization.
• Exercise discretion in confidential matters.
• Ability to effectively instruct and direct staff by assigning, reviewing, and checking work.
• Ability to identify overall work objectives and priorities, and plan and carry out projects objectives.
• Must be proficient in use of Excel, Word and MS Office Suite.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES REQUIRED

Bachelor's degree in the field of business, public administration, transportation and mobility, transportation planning, logistics, civil engineering, or related field, plus four years of a progressively responsible combination of supervisory and program managerial service, in a public or private organization clearly transferable to a public transportation or transit setting; and responsibilities covering development of program policies and guidance, development of long- and short-range goals and plans, program evaluation, and budget preparation and accountability. Or, an equivalent combination of education and experience to sufficiently perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.
Physical Requirements:
While performing the responsibilities of the job, the employee is required to clearly communicate in person or over the telephone. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision to read printed materials and a computer screen. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with arms and hands, climb or balance, and to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee may be required to occasionally lift up to 20 pounds. Employee will be required to drive a motor vehicle to travel to various work sites. Reasonable accommodation may be made for some of these physical demands for otherwise qualified individuals who require and request such accommodation.

Working Environment:
Moderately low level of personal risk encountered while performing assigned work. Job conditions are occasionally uncomfortable relative to noise, temperature, inside/outside work, dirty conditions, or interactions with angry or hostile individuals, exposure to contagious disease, etc.

Exposure to Confidential Information: HIPAA, Payroll.

Excellent benefit package when eligible.
COIC offers eligible employees a comprehensive health care package that covers medical, prescription, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their eligible dependents at a minimal cost per month. Coverage becomes effective the first working day of the month if hired on the first working day of the month, otherwise, coverage becomes effective the first day of the following month. COIC is self-insured with Deschutes County, therefore benefited COIC employees have access to the Deschutes Onsite Clinic. The DOC provides a wide range of health, wellness, and primary care services to employees and their dependents. The DOC offers convenient hours and no out-of-pocket costs to patients. The DOC Pharmacy is a full-service pharmacy available to employees and dependents to have their prescriptions filled at a discounted co-pay. In addition to the health care package, COIC provides a generous and comprehensive benefits program to eligible employees.

Employer-paid benefit offerings include:

• Life Insurance for employee and dependents
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
• Long-term Disability Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Retirement Program through Oregon PERS
• Vacation leave - 8 hours per month for full-time employees
• Sick leave - 8 hours per month for full-time employees
• Holidays - 9 paid holidays
• CET transit pass

Employee paid voluntary benefit offerings include:

• 125 Flexible Spending Program
• 457 Deferred Compensation Program
• Supplemental group policy offerings through AFLAC
• Voluntary Life and Accident Insurance through New York Life insurance
• LegalShield membership

01

Do you have a Bachelor's degree in the field of business, public administration, transportation and mobility, transportation planning, logistics, civil engineering, or related field, plus four years of a progressively responsible combination of supervisory and program managerial service, in a public or private organization clearly transferable to a public transportation or transit setting; and responsibilities covering development of program policies and guidance, development of long- and short-range goals and plans, program evaluation, and budget preparation and accountability, or an equivalent combination of education and experience to sufficiently perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above?

• Yes
• No

02

Regional & Rural Transit Experience; Describe your experience leading or managing public transit services in a regional and/or rural environment. Include organization size, service types, and your leadership responsibilities.
03

Executive Leadership & Financial Stewardship; Describe your experience managing operating budgets, grants (FTA, state, or local), supervising managers, and leading strategic planning.
04

Partnership & Governance; Describe a time you successfully partnered with elected officials, state agencies, labor representatives, or community partners to solve a significant challenge.
Required Question