Project Manager - Transit Operations Planning

We are the Metropolitan Council, the regional government for the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. We plan 30 years ahead for the future of the metropolitan area and provide regional transportation, wastewater, and housing services. More information about us on our website.

We are committed to supporting a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

Metro Transit is one of the country's largest transit systems, employs more than 3,000 people, and prior to Covid provided more than 80 million rides a year through an integrated network of buses, light rail and commuter trains, as well as resources for those who carpool, vanpool, walk or bike in the Twin Cities.

How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities region:

The Project Manager, Operations Planning will oversee implementations and activations of transitway projects, including Guideway Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), Arterial Bus Rapid Transit (ABRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT) projects from final design and engineering phases into construction and revenue service opening, with close coordination with individual project offices and internal sub-departments within Bus and/or Rail Operations. This position will also lead the efforts in bringing FTA CIG-funded transitway projects, for both BRT and LRT, into compliance in operational readiness, following the OP-54 procedures.

1. Oversee transitway implementation and activation efforts for projects in advanced design phase or under construction .

• Oversee overall transitway implementation and activation meeting series, encompassing agency-wide and internal Transit Operations stakeholders.
• Develop materials, and document observations for operational readiness of CIG-funded transitway projects in accordance with the FTA's OP54 procedures, in close coordination with project offices.
• Facilitate coordination with, inform upcoming changes to, and solicit inputs from garage management and instructors that are affected by transitway implementation.
• Maintain and update the records of field conditions with the latest information in coordination with Bus and/or Rail Operations.

2. Facilitate coordination between Bus and/or Rail Operations and other internal stakeholders including transitway project offices.

• Establish and maintain regular touchpoints with Bus and/or Rail Operations regarding active and foreseen major service impacts.
• Facilitate alternative developments and analyses on necessary major service adjustments in support of Bus and/or Rail Operations and transitway project offices.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with Customer Relations and Transit Information on operator and customer experience.
• Coordinate with Asset Protection and Facilities regarding access, maintainability and security of transitway facilities.

3. Review and help guide technical and functional testing efforts for each transitway project.

• Coordinate and support testing plans and provide guidance to Bus and/or Rail Operations in conducting acceptance tests.
• Support and guide standardized procedures and templates for properly recording technical and functional test results.
• Review plans/proposals with Bus and/or Rail Operations and provide appropriate feedback to transitway project offices.

4. Develop, adopt and update SOPs for transitway and guideway operations.

• Review current operating procedures and identify potential conflicts and deficiencies with the introduction of new transitway and guideway projects.
• Develop new corridor-/project-specific transitway and guideway SOPs in close coordination with Bus and/or Rail Operations and specifically Training and Safety.
• Solicit inputs from project offices and Bus and/or Rail Operations stakeholders and update existing transitway and guideway SOPs as needed.
• Facilitate advertisement and education of new and updated procedures in close coordination with Bus and/or Rail Operations, and Training.

5. Manage documentations and execute administrative functions for transitway implementation efforts.

• Participate in meetings and field visits for active transitway projects in advanced design phases or under construction.
• Review program-wide documentation and provide oversight in record-keeping and archival needs.
• Develop and implement lists of action items of issues and provide oversights and coordination aids in their resolutions.
• Provide feedback and guidance on consultant work as needed.

• High school diploma/GED and nine (9) years of experience.
• Associate's degree and seven (7) years of experience.
• Bachelor's degree and five (5) years of experience.
• Master's degree and three (3) years of experience.

What additional skills and experience would be helpful in this job (desired qualifications):

• Certified Planner (AICP), Licensed Engineer (PE) and/or Project Manager (PMP)
• Knowledge of business systems supporting transit operations, including TransitMaster (a vehicle communication tool) and HASTUS (a route planning & scheduling tool)
• Knowledge of technology systems supporting bus/rail transportation, including Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and Transit Signal Priority (TSP) systems which can save time and improve efficiency by increasing travel speeds
• Knowledge of industry best practices in multimodal transit operations and planning principles

• Demonstrated knowledge of the principles and practices of transitway implementation planning.
• Knowledge of FTA New Starts Projects; contract preparation, negotiation and administration in the areas of construction, architectural/engineering, and other professional/technical services.
• Knowledge of federal, state and local funding programs for transit projects, and their requirements to ensure strict compliance during program implementation and revenue operations.
• Knowledge of Metro Transit's regional transit system, including routes and network structures with strong experience of using the system, ongoing and upcoming transitway projects, focusing on Arterial BRT, Highway BRT and Guideway BRT projects.
• Knowledge of transit service and facility planning fundamentals.
• Excellent project management skills.
• Skilled in analytical and statistical analyses, including processing geographical data into an approachable language in providing feedback to internal and external stakeholders
• Interpersonal skills sufficient to direct consultants, interact with all levels of the Council, and to form partnerships with external agencies and groups.
• Experience working with municipalities, metropolitan agencies, community groups and the public.
• Skilled in oral, written and presentation, and possess advanced negotiation consensus building and alternative dispute resolution skills
• Ability to prepare, defend, and negotiate grant applications consistent with federal requirements and local needs
• Ability to assemble, interpret, and analyze financial data related to project expenditures, past and future

• We offer the opportunity to make a difference and positively influence the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
• We encourage our employees to develop their skills through on-site training and tuition reimbursement.
• We provide a competitive salary, excellent benefits and a good work/life balance.
• Career advancement opportunities.

More about why you should join us!

Union / Grade:Non-Represented/ Grade I
FLSA: Exempt
Safety Sensitive: No

Work Environment: Position works in an office environment. The ability to work non-standard hours may be required to change scheduled days off and assignments on short notice. Some travel to other facilities is required.

The responsibilities listed are typical of the positions included in the job classification; however, not all duties are necessarily performed by each specific position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties of the position. Regular attendance is an essential responsibility.