POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to Director of Transit Development and Innovation, the Senior Manager of Transit Planning is responsible for the management of all short and long-range planning activities at SORTA Metro. Additionally, this position will lead the planning, implementation, and monitoring of MetroNow, SORTA’s Mobility on Demand (MetroNow) service.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

· Contribute to the development of Metro’s corporate strategy by providing input and plans in line with the overall business objectives.

· Oversee the development of Metro’s Short-Range Service Plan and all related activities including service improvements, bus stop infrastructure enhancements, including future phases of Reinventing Metro.

· Lead and manage all long-range planning activities including preparation and updating the SORTA Metro Long-Range Transportation Plan.

· Continuously improve planning processes and procedures.

· Develop plans to bring transit innovations to SORTA Metro’s service area.

· Forge and lead a team of local officials to work on urban planning initiatives to make region more conducive to transit service.

· Assist in the development of SORTA’s Bus Rapid Transit system.

· Serve as an Essential Employee to continue the Authority’s operation during an emergency or weather-related event.

· Assist in the preparation of grant applications for state and federal funding for grants to study or construct transportation projects.

· Represent SORTA at various city, county, state, federal, and public meetings.

· Interact with, and make presentations to, community organizations, nonprofits, and private businesses to support SORTA’s Public Outreach Programs.

· Lead coordination with internal stakeholders/customers and external entities to communicate SORTA’s long range goals, understand stakeholder needs and concerns, and seek consensus in design solutions while working within defined budget and schedule.

· Responsible for coordination on all aspects of MetroNow service.

· Coordinating, scheduling, and reviewing work assignments for planning projects when acting as technical and policy advisor to assigned staff or consultants.

· Stimulate subordinates and contribute to the identification of opportunities for continuous improvement of the Metro Network monitoring operations, processes and practices taking into account best practices, improvement of business processes, cost reduction and productivity improvement.

· Brief members of the public and representatives from the community on MetroNow as community development matters.

· Assist in the development of SORTA’s strategy development by providing input and plans on Planning and community priorities, challenges and requirements in line with overall strategic objectives

· Assist in the development of scopes of work for planning & engineering services for MetroNow service.

· Administer contract changes, including scope revisions, amendments, and maintain project control; manage scope, schedule, and budget of MetroNow contracts.

· Monitor performance of MetroNow service against plans during execution in order to deliver the performance targets and achieve the departmental objectives

· Assist in the update of department budget.

· Monitor financial performance versus budget to keep track of costs, ensure areas of unsatisfactory performance are identified/ rectified promptly and improvement opportunities are acted upon

· Based on service demands and requirements, provide input and support the long and medium development of transit networks’ capacity expansion plans and capacity review to determine requirements in terms of capacity changes and bus fleet requirements

· Collect, analyze and interpret transportation data for short and long-range planning timeframes in order to provide sound basis for demand and capacity planning

· Ensure constant review of network performance as well as recommendation plans to improve the network performance

· Liaise, coordinate, and negotiate with different public and private entities, e.g. Engineering and Planning departments at the City, local MPO (OKI), local municipalities and developers to ensure alignment on all transport plans and initiatives

· Establish and maintain relationships with local and regional planning and economic development entities to coordinate SORTA’s planning goals, and devise strategies that will support SORTA's long-range planning initiatives, and assure their effectiveness in meeting the region's public transportation goals

· Work closely with local and regional entities to help improve viability of transit in Hamilton County through effecting local zoning and land use laws

· Assist department staff with Transit Oriented Development (TOD) projects

· Contribute to the identification of opportunities and enforce a culture of change for continuous improvement of systems, processes and practices considering best practice.

· Ensure that all department’s reports are prepared timely and accurately and meet SORTA’s and the department, policies and standards

· Develop positive relationships, maintain ongoing communication, and meet regularly with SORTA staff to provide support and oversight for project tasks, remove barriers to progress, and ensure accountability for project goals.

· Generate work plans for multiple projects/phases to define capital project budgets.

· Review and assist in state and federal grant applications and funding that support Strategic Planning, Development and Innovation department goals and objectives

· Provide monthly updates to SORTA’s Board through monthly reports and presentations

· Provide a positive work environment that does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty or status as a covered veteran

· Develop and implement standards and strategies to meet or exceed organization, department, and staff performance goals and objectives, monitor results, recognize accomplishments, and oversee continuous improvement

· Lead staff in inter-departmental and inter-agency collaboration and cooperation.

· Implement programs to train and prepare all long-range planning staff to advance professionally.

· Discuss, inform, and advise management on department operations and special projects

· Manage public outreach meetings and public hearings related to transit services and long-range plans.

· Respond or direct responses to inquiries and complaints from community members, regulatory agencies, and the business community.

· Ensure, in collaboration with other departments as appropriate, that applicable business systems are implemented and operated in a manner that provides the maximum potential of business intelligence

· Manage direct reports, including monitoring performance and attendance, and executing employee recognition, commendation, and discipline.

· Monitor and develop staff.

· Model, facilitate and encourage exemplary internal and external customer service, open communication, collaboration, participation, and professional development of staff.

· Complete special projects as assigned

· Ability to work in compliance with Metro's safety and security policies

· Develop presentations for conferences and attend conferences.

· Other duties as assigned.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Competency Statements

· Communications: Excellent oral and written communication skills. Persuasive, consensus builder

· Customer Focus: Excellent problem-solving skills and a desire to exceed customer expectations

· Employee Development: Competent in assessing employee skills: coaches, delegates, and supports employee development, provides constructive feedback

· Leadership: Energetic, innovative self-starter, committed to continuous improvement and creative problem solving

· Professional Integrity: Exhibits and values commitment, leadership, accountability, diversity, honesty, fiscal responsibility, and the ability to maximize resources

· Proficiency: Able to multi-task, plan and measure results, create and analyze data, excellent computer skills, accuracy and attention to detail, excellent project management skills

Education

· Bachelor’s degree (4-year college or university) in planning, public administration or related field

Experience

· Six (6) years or more years of experience in planning and development in transit /transportation planning. Master’s degree may account for two (2) years of experience.

SKILLS & ABILITIES

Computer Skills

· Proficiency with Microsoft work environment including word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, internet, and email.

· Working knowledge of GIS and data-related applications.

· Proficiency in Microsoft Project

Other Requirements

· Proficiency in zoning and land use laws as they pertain to transit

· Working knowledge of transit planning principles and requirements.

· Leadership and staff management experience.

· Excellent public speaking, writing and presentation skills.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

· Office atmosphere.

The company has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included.

It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate.

About Metro

Metro is Southwest Ohio's fixed-route bus service, which serves Hamilton County residents in addition to providing commuter routes from Clermont, Butler and Warren counties into Cincinnati. Metro is a non-profit, tax-funded public service of the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (SORTA), providing about 14 million rides per year in the Greater Cincinnati area.

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