Overview
$168,920.73 – $222,975.14 Annually
“Lead the Charge: Help Revolutionize VTA Operations with Zero Emission Buses!”
About VTA
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority employs more than 2,000 people dedicated to providing solutions that move Silicon Valley. Unique among transportation organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area, VTA is Santa Clara County’s authority for transit development and operations (light rail and bus), congestion management, transportation-related funding, highway design and construction, real estate and transit-oriented development, and bicycle and pedestrian planning. With local, state, and federal partners, VTA works to innovate the way Silicon Valley moves and provide mobility solutions for all.
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is an independent special district that provides sustainable, accessible, community-focused, innovative, and environmentally responsible transportation options promoting the region’s vitality. VTA provides bus, light rail, and paratransit services and participates as a funding partner in regional rail services, including Caltrain, Capital Corridor, and the Altamont Corridor Express.
To learn more, go to: vta.org
About the Bus Transportation Division
Bus transportation is responsible for the operation and delivery of VTAs’ transit service to 74 bus routes, covering approximately 346 square miles in both urbanized and rural areas of Santa Clara County. The breakdown by type of route is: 18 core/primary; 17 local/secondary; 18 Community bus; 13 Express; four Limited Stop; and four Special Event. VTA provides a full-service bus system of 460 large buses: 169 of which are Hybrid (40-foot) buses; 58 of which are Articulated (60-foot) buses; 195 of which are a mix of Standard Diesel (35-foot & 40-foot) buses; and, 38 smaller community buses operating from three bus divisions, Cerone and Chaboya based in San Jose and North based in Mountain View. Nine Hundred and Twenty-Three (923) Operators provide more than 14.4 million miles of bus service on an annual basis with an average weekday ridership of 94,740.
Our Community
Santa Clara County, sometimes referred to as “Silicon Valley”, is unique for its innovation, natural attractions, and social diversity. With numerous amenities and perfect weather, it has long been considered one of the best places in the United States to live and work. calendar of festivals and celebrations supports the community spirit. Nearby open space provides easy access to mountain parks, trails, lakes, streams, and beautiful coastal beaches. San José has received accolades for its vibrant neighborhoods, healthy lifestyle, and diverse attractions from national media, including Business Week and Money magazines.
The county’s population of 1.9 million is the largest in Northern California and is rich in ethnic culture and diversity. Enjoy access and the option to explore our closely neighboring counties of San Francisco and Alameda.
The Ideal Candidates
VTA will be transitioning its bus fleet to zero emission by 2040 and is looking to bring on people who have subject matter expertise to lead the technical decision making to support capital planning, project implementation, zero emission knowledge, budget and schedule forecasting and workforce development. VTA is seeking to hire two Operations Managers, one for vehicle & infrastructure transition and one for workforce development.
The vehicle & infrastructure transition position will play a key role in the coordination of the agency’s long term strategic capital plans, vehicle procurement and ZEB program development. The workforce development position will focus on preparing VTA staff to operate and maintain the new technology by developing training and development programs.
If you have experience in zero emission fleet, zero emission infrastructure, policy and procedure implementation, workforce development, creating training programs, maintaining strong relationships and information sharing with manufacturers, community partners, and/or industry peers, you may be just what we are looking for!
Definition
Under general direction, the Operations Manager plans, organizes, directs and coordinates the activities of a major section or department in the Operations Division.
Distinguishing Characteristics
This non-represented management classification is responsible for managing units involved with one or more of the following areas: bus transportation, bus maintenance, light rail transportation, light rail maintenance, or operations support services. The Operations Manager has full managerial authority for assigned functional units.
Classification Bargaining Unit: Non-Represented
Initial Application Screening will begin on 12/04/2023.
Responsibilities
Essential Job Functions
Typical Tasks
Provides direction, planning and management of the activities of a major section or department in the Operations Division;
Selects, supervises, trains, motivates, assigns, evaluates, counsels and disciplines staff;
Develops and implements staffing plans to optimize the performance of each work unit within area of responsibility;
Analyzes operations to improve productivity within work units;
Develops, monitors, and manages the budget for area of responsibility;
Assists with strategic planning; develops and implements long and short-term goals;
Interprets and applies the provisions of the labor agreements in accordance with VTA guidelines; may serve as a hearing officer;
May oversee and manage the operations and maintenance training function, including the development of new training programs and course content;
Develops, implements, and evaluates policies and procedures to ensure that unit activities are in accordance with VTA goals;
Assures adherence to safety programs and re-evaluates existing programs;
May be involved with the design review of engineering plans and specifications for VTA bus and rail transit construction projects;
Prepares reports, correspondence, and other documents;
Serves as a member of the management team in meetings and negotiations with labor unions concerning a variety of labor relation issues;
Ensures compliance with all VTA policies and procedures, including those regarding equal employment opportunity, discrimination, and harassment prevention;
May represent VTA on transit industry boards and commissions;
Performs related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Employment Standards
Sufficient education and increasingly responsible experience to demonstrate possession of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Development of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is typically obtained through a combination of training and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with a four-year degree including major coursework in a technical, engineering, administrative, or related field, and extensive, increasingly responsible experience managing a transit operations or maintenance program for a large mass transit organization.
Requirements
Knowledge of:
Principles and practices of organization, administration, supervision, budgeting, and personnel management of a public transportation agency;
Applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations governing public transportation systems;
The goals, organization, and management practices of a large public transportation agency;
Typical provisions found in public transit collective bargaining agreements;
Industrial safety and general safety rules and regulations as applied to a public transportation system;
Transportation activities and operations;
Organizational development techniques and methods as related to curriculum development and training programs for bus and light rail operators and maintenance personnel;
Comprehensive, specific technical knowledge of the major functions within assigned area of responsibility.
Ability to:
Plan, organize, coordinate, direct, control and manage the assigned area of responsibility;
Oversee subordinate managers and supervisors and delegate and/or monitor responsibilities to ensure smooth operations;
Supervise, train, evaluate, counsel, discipline, and motivate staff in a collective bargaining environment;
Prepare and control a budget;
Interpret and apply laws, rules, regulations, and labor contract provisions;
Oversee and manage bus and light rail operations and maintenance training programs;
Plan for near and long-term bus and/or rail expansion and system modifications;
Manage the development of service and operating plans;
Plan, organize, direct, implement, and evaluate vehicle maintenance programs;
Prepare, interpret, and effectively utilize management information reports;
Analyze problems and recommend and/or implement effective solutions to difficult and politically sensitive problems;
Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Additional Information
What’s in it for You?
Work/Life Balance: 40-hour work weeks, and a option of a flexible/hybrid remote schedule.
Health: VTA participates in a CalPERS-sponsored medical plan with VTA contribution to employee and dependent premium health insurance premiums. Employees pay a monthly contribution of any amount in excess of the Kaiser Bay Area Family rate.
Flex Spending Account: $300 employer-funded Health FSA for eligible employees
Vision: VSP full premium for employees and eligible dependents
Dental: Delta Dental full premium for employees and eligible dependents
Mental Health Days: 3 days: May 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024
Leave: 17 days of vacation (accrued), 80 Hours of sick time (accrued), 12 paid holidays per year, and 1 floating holiday per year.
Retirement:
– Participation in CalPERS
Classic Members: 2%@55
PEPRA Members: 2%@62
– 457 Deferred Compensation Plan (voluntary)
457 pre-tax
457 Roth
Self-directed brokerage account option for qualifying employees
– Retiree medical coverage for eligible employees with VTA contributions to the retiree’s medical premium
Additional perks:
– All active full-time employees and their eligible dependents are eligible for transit passes for use over VTA lines, including VTA Paratransit services.
– Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available to each employee, eligible dependent, and household member, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
– Tuition Reimbursement
– Professional Development Fund
– Wellness Programs
As we continue to implement our VTA Forward Plan, we aim to strengthen and increase our workforce to take on future opportunities and challenges by elevating our people and our services.
For more information about our VTA Forward Plan, visit: https://www.vta.org/VTAForward
General Instructions
Please read this entire job announcement before applying for the position. Print and keep a copy of this announcement so that you can refer to it. Questions not answered within this job announcement may be sent to personnel@vta.org.
To ensure consideration, completed applications must be submitted online to the Human Resources department by the stated closing time and date posted. When the stated closing date is “continuous,” apply immediately; the position may close without notice. You will receive an immediate email confirming receipt of your submitted application. If you do not receive this email, contact NEOGOV’s Applicant Assistance Line at (855) 524-5627 between 8:00AM to 5:00PM (PST) Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
Only on-line applications will be accepted for this recruitment (paper applications or resumes will not be accepted). Job Interest Notification Cards, or copies of previous, partial, or un-submitted applications, are not an acceptable substitute to a completed application.
ALL APPLICATION AND TESTING NOTIFICATIONS WILL BE SENT BY E-MAIL. Applicants should select e-mail as the preferred method of notification. Candidates must maintain an up-to-date, valid and reliable e-mail address. Candidates are also responsible for maintaining up-to-date phone numbers and addresses on their on-line account. Due to the number of applications received, candidates must check their application status through their on-line account. Contact NeoGov for assistance if needed.
Information on how to apply for jobs at the VTA is available on the VTA Employment website and from the NEOGOV’s Applicant Assistance Line (855) 524-5627. NeoGov Applicant support is available from 8:00AM to 5:00PM (PST) Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
Americans with Disabilities Act Accommodations
The Human Resources Department will make reasonable efforts in the recruitment/examination process to accommodate applicants with disabilities. If you wish to request an accommodation, please click here (Download PDF reader).
Application Processing Information
All related current and past work experience (including VTA experience) must be listed and fully described in the Work Experience section of the application (“See Resume” is not acceptable). Incomplete or improperly completed online applications may be rejected even if you are qualified for the position for which you are applying. It is your responsibility to ensure that the online application reflects the work experience and education needed to meet the requirements for the position you are applying for. Although your resume may have all your experience and education details, please make sure to complete each section of the online application to ensure that your information is accurately captured during our screening process.
All applications are subject to review as to meeting minimum qualifications at any point in the recruitment process. Passing any step is no guarantee of continuation if it is determined that the applicant does not meet the minimum qualifications as stated in the class specification.
Candidates found to have exaggerated/falsified their qualifications, experience, training, and/or education may be disqualified at any point in the recruitment process and may be denied future employment with the VTA.
If selected for the position, candidates will be required to complete a criminal conviction disclosure form. Candidates who successfully become VTA employees, and fail to disclose any of the criminal background information as required may be subject to discipline up to and including discharge.
Eligible Lists typically remain in effect for six (6) months. However, Human Resources may abolish Eligible Lists at any time during the six (6) month period. Human Resources may extend eligible Lists for up to two (2) years. Eligible Lists may be used for more than one recruitment. If you have questions related to an Eligible List you might be on or were on, you should contact Human Resources.
If you have questions regarding your status as an applicant for this position, please call the Human Resources Department at (408) 321-5575 or email at Personnel@vta.org.
VTA is an equal employment opportunity employer. VTA does not and will not tolerate discrimination against applicants or employees on the basis of age, ancestry, color, marital status, mental or physical disability, genetic information, national origin, immigration status, political affiliation, race, religion, creed, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, medical condition, disabled veteran or veteran status, etc.