Transit Operations Manager

General Summary:

Under general direction, the Transit Operations Manager oversees the daily operations of the District's transit system to ensure safe, reliable, efficient, and customer-focused service delivery. This position provides leadership and supervision to operations staff, supports employee performance and labor relations, administers the District's Drug and Alcohol Testing Program, and ensures compliance with applicable policies, regulations, and collective bargaining agreements. Responsibilities include operational oversight, budget administration, workforce planning, procurement and contract management, employee development, and coordination with internal departments, external agencies, and community partners. This position serves as a member of the Operations leadership team and may assume responsibilities of the Senior Director of Operations and Public Safety or Public Safety Manager as assigned.

Essential & Supporting Responsibilities

Essential Responsibilities:

• Plan, organize and direct daily transit operations to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient service delivery.
• Provide leadership, supervision, coaching, performance management, and professional development for supervisory staff.
• Monitor operational performance, service delivery metrics, staffing levels, and workforce utilization and implement strategies to improve efficiency, customer service, and cost effectiveness.
• Assist in the development, administration, and monitoring of departmental budgets and recommend operational strategies that support efficient use of resources.
• Ensure compliance with policies, collective bargaining agreements, safety programs, and applicable local, state, and federal regulations.
• Partner with Human Resources on workforce planning, recruitment, employee relations matters, disciplinary processes, succession planning, and performance management activities.
• Administer the District's Drug and Alcohol Testing Program and ensure compliance with all applicable Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Department of Transportation (DOT), and District requirements.
• Assist with the development and delivery of training programs, procedures, and operational guidance for staff.
• Participate in procurement activities and vendor management associated with operations and related services.
• Serve as a primary liaison with Service Planning, Fleet Maintenance, Marketing, Human Resources, and external agencies regarding service delivery, operational issues, and organizational initiatives.
• Participate as a member of the Operations leadership team and assume responsibilities in the absence of the Senior Director and Public Safety leaders, as assigned.
• Support special projects, department initiatives, emergency response activities, and organizational priorities as assigned.

Supporting Responsibilities:

• Participate in the evaluation and implementation of technology, software, and operational systems improvements.
• Participate in labor-management meetings, grievance resolution, collective bargaining activities, and contract administration.
• Occasionally respond to customer concerns and service-related issues.
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Supervisory Responsibility

• This position manages and monitors work performance of an organizational unit including evaluating program/work objectives and effectiveness, establishing broad organizational goals and realigning work and staffing assignments for the department.

Fiscal Responsibility

• This position develops, manages, and reconciles department budget as well as adheres to procurement policies, procedures, and contract compliance.

Minimum Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

Any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job. Education and course work can substitute for years of experience. Typical qualifications would be:

Experience: Minimum four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in public transit operations, transportation operations, logistics, public services, or a related operational environment, including at least three (3) years of supervisory or management experience.

Education: Valid Oregon Driver License or ability to obtain within 30 days of employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Transportation Management, Operations Management, Organizational Leadership, or a related field.
• Experience in a unionized work environment, interpreting and administering collective bargaining agreements.
• Knowledge of transit scheduling, service delivery practices, FTA, FMCSA, DOT, ODOT regulations and compliance requirements.
• Experience in public transit or a similar service-oriented transportation environment.
• Bilingual skills are desirable.

Competencies for Successful Performance of Job Duties:

Knowledge:

• Transit operations, service delivery, scheduling concepts, and workforce deployment practices.
• Leadership principles such as supervision, employee development, performance management, and organizational effectiveness.
• Budget development, financial administration, procurement, and contract management.
• Safety, security, risk management, emergency response, and FTA/DOT drug and alcohol testing program administration requirements.
• Organizational planning, operational analysis, and performance measurement.
• Customer service, stakeholder engagement, and public sector operations.

Skills:

• Leadership, coaching, mentoring, and employee development.
• Building collaborative relationships and maintaining positive employee and labor relations.
• Strategic thinking, operational planning, and decision-making.
• Analyzing operational data and developing practical solutions to complex issues.
• Budget management, resource allocation, and financial oversight.
• Conflict resolution, negotiation, and problem solving.
• Managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced operational environment.
• Communicating effectively with employees, leadership, regulatory agencies, and community stakeholders.
• Exercising sound judgment, professionalism, and discretion.

Working Conditions & Expected Hours

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

• Work is performed primarily in an office environment with regular interaction with employees, union representatives, contractors, community partners, regulatory agencies, and members of the public.
• Standard work hours are generally Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. However, schedule flexibility is required to support operational needs
• Occasional evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended-hour work may be required to support meetings, employee engagement, service disruptions, emergency response activities, organizational events, and other business needs.
• This position may be required to respond to operational, safety, or service-related issues outside of normal business hours.

Travel

• Travel throughout the service area is required.
• Occasional travel outside of the region may be required for meetings, conferences, training, professional development, or organizational business.
• Operation of a District vehicle may be required.

How to apply:

Visit to apply for this role. This position closes end of day on Monday, October 26, 2026. Applications, resumes and cover letters will only be accepted electronically.