Overview
Job Description
Do you have a passion for public transportation? Do you daydream about how to move people and goods in a safer, faster, and more equitable way? Are you a hands-on team leader who is keenly aware of the importance of staff development? If so, we are looking for you to join our team!
The State of Connecticut, Department of Transportation (CTDOT), is seeking qualified candidates for Bureau Chief of Public Transportation to develop, manage, and grow Connecticut’s bus, rail, taxi and livery, and river ferry systems. This is a great opportunity for someone who wants to remove transportation barriers for the traveling public, enhance the environmental sustainability of the state’s transportation systems, and help shape CTDOT policies and plans that will chart the future of transportation in Connecticut and along the Northeast Corridor.
Who We Are
As one of the state’s largest agencies, the CTDOT employs over 3,300 employees statewide in five distinct Bureaus. The mission of CTDOT is to provide a safe and efficient multimodal transportation network that improves the quality of life and promotes economic vitality for the State and the region. We have a significant transportation infrastructure system, including major bus and rail systems, that is essential to maintaining mobility for Connecticut residents and businesses and supporting economic and community development.
The Role
CTDOT is seeking an experienced transportation professional to lead its Public Transportation Bureau. The Bureau Chief of Public Transportation will play a critical role in taking CTDOT’s rail and transit infrastructure and service to new levels of quality and volume that will complement the State’s ambitious transportation program. This position is part of the Department’s senior management team and reports directly to executive leadership. The ideal candidate will be an accomplished leader with a demonstrated record of achievement in the public transportation sector. Superior skills in organizational development, oral and written communications, policy formulation, legal and regulatory compliance, and knowledge/ experience with bus and rail operations are required.
The Bureau Chief will lead a large team of 140+ talented and dedicated professionals with a wide range of experiences and skills in transportation, all dedicated to managing and planning a safe, efficient, and extensive statewide public transportation planning system.
The Bureau is organized into four offices, each with distinct functions: Office of Rail, Office of Transit and Ridesharing, Office of Regulatory Compliance, and Customer Experience unit.
Office of Rail. The Office of Rail employs 76 state employee staff at two locations (New Haven and Newington) and indirectly more than 6,700 contractor employees with an annual budget (excluding capital) of about $155 million. CTDOT’s railroad operations include the ownership and oversight of the New Haven Line (NHL) and its branch lines, the nation’s busiest commuter rail line operated under contract with Metro-North Railroad. The State owns 104 route miles of passenger lines and 291 freight route miles. The Office of Rail manages the services on the Amtrak–operated Shore Line East commuter rail service, as well as the TransitAmerica Services (TASI) operated Hartford Line intercity passenger rail service. Responsibilities also include oversight of the DOT-owned freight operations and working with the state’s eight private freight operators. The Rail Office manages PRIIA 209 service, coordinates PRIIA 212 service and works closely with the Northeast Corridor Commission, AASHTO and APTA on Corridor and PRIIA issues.
The State owns or operates 49 passenger rail stations and 518 coaches, locomotive and EMU’s. The passenger rail system managed by this office carries about 40 million passengers annually.
The Office of Rail includes a unit that performs engineering and construction services for certain of the Department’s rail-related projects. The balance of these services is provided by the DOT’s Bureau of Engineering and Construction.
Office of Transit and Ridesharing. The Office is composed of 54 professional staff who manage capital programs, transit operations, planning and marketing, and river ferry operations. The team is responsible for both the management and development of the CTtransit, CTtransit express and CTfastrak services as well as coordination with locally-operated transit districts. The office is also charged with testing new on-demand microtransit service and the nation’s first automated large transit bus service.
Office of Regulatory Compliance. The Office is composed of eight individuals responsible for the statutorily required regulation of taxi, livery, household goods companies and transportation network companies. The unit includes two field inspectors that ensure taxi and livery vehicles meet requirements for service.
Customer Experience Unit. This newly-formed unit is charged with public outreach to develop and enhance the customer experience statewide. The team of four conducts surveys, public outreach and develops the agency’s roadmap for improvements to the customer experience including but not limited to online services, station amenities, onboard experience and fare systems.
In this key role you will:
Oversee and manage the four offices that constitute the Bureau of Public Transportation.
Help CTDOT adapt to evolving state and federal priorities relative to future public transportation needs, issues, and best practices.
Play an integral role in reducing transportation emissions by increasing utilization of public transportation.
Work with your team to prepare the state’s long-term strategic vision for public transportation.
Fulfill all planning, data collection, and reporting requirements as called for in state and federal laws and regulations.
Help shape the Department’s long-term vision, strategy, and programs for serving the mobility needs of Connecticut’s residents and businesses while supporting economic growth, strong communities, and a healthy sustainable environment.
Focus on innovation to improve the customer experience and evolve transit services to be more responsive to the changing needs and expectations of riders.
Build the capacity of the Bureau of Public Transportation team through staff development, coaching, mentoring and team building opportunities.
*This salary range shall increase effective July 1, 2022
Benefits
We participate in a competitive benefits package that includes comprehensive healthcare policies including medical and dental coverage, retirement plan options, paid time off, and more! We also encourage a healthy work-life balance for all employees and provide professional growth and development opportunities!
Requirements
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS – GENERAL EXPERIENCE
Twelve (12) years of professional experience in the planning, engineering or operations phase of a large scale transportation program.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS – SPECIAL EXPERIENCE
Three (3) years of General Experience must have been in a managerial capacity with responsibility for planning, implementing or coordinating public transit activities.
1. Managerial capacity is defined as full time managerial responsibility for major programs. Position will have supervisory responsibilities but the emphasis should be management activities: planning, organizing, directing and controlling resources of a major subdivision at an agency or organization.
2. For state employees managerial capacity is interpreted at the level of Transportation Transit Manager or Transportation Assistant Planning Director.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS – SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED
1. College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equaling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor’s degree.
2. A Master’s degree in urban or transportation planning or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.
Additional Information
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Leadership experience in the public transportation sector;
Experience in bus and rail operations, transit industry best practices, emerging technology and transportation policy;
Senior management experience at a significant organization;
Experience leading a multi-disciplinary professional team to deliver large projects or programs;
Experience and collaboration in organizational and staff development;
Prior government experience and familiarity of legislative and government budgeting processes;
Experience interacting and coordinating among high-level stakeholders across various levels of government;
Experience working with stakeholders resulting in accomplishment of strategic goals;
Experience communicating in writing and verbally to diverse populations and skill levels; and,
Experience with complex negotiations.