What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Director of Transportation and Parking - Public Safety position at California Polytechnic State University?
Job Summary
Reporting directly to the Associate Vice President of Public Safety/Commissioner, the Senior Director of TAPS is responsible for providing visionary, strategic leadership and executive oversight of all parking, transportation and sustainable mobility programs at both the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Vallejo campus sites.
The incumbent must be a forward-thinking, strategic planner and systems-level thinker who leverages data-driven analysis, creative problem-solving, and innovative solution design to transform campus mobility. This role requires a hands-on project management leader who can guide complex initiatives from concept through execution while cultivating strong campus partnerships and delivering an exceptional customer experience.
Responsibilities include representing Public Safety in the campus planning process and liaising with Facilities and external partners on capital projects construction plans, safety evaluations, and long-range mobility planning tied to university master plans.
Department Summary
The Public Safety Unit consists of four departments: Cal Poly Police Department, Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS), Department of Emergency Management, and Public Safety Business Services. TAPS is a multi-million-dollar, self-support operation managing all aspects of campus parking infrastructure, mobility programs, enforcement, and revenue generation through fees and fines. This unit operates under multiple layers of federal, state, CSU, local, and County regulations and plays a critical role in campus access, sustainability, and compliance.
Key Qualifications
Education and Experience
Licenses, Certificates, Credentials:
Salary and Benefits
The anticipated hiring range for this role is $115,000 - $140,000. Note that the offer is calculated based on the background and relevant years of experience of the individual selected.
Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Anticipated Hiring Range referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Classification Range may be broader than what the University anticipates paying for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).
Cal Poly offers a best-in-class benefits program, including health, dental and vision insurance, retirement participation in the Public Employees' Retirement System, and educational benefits for eligible employees. See our benefits website for additional information.
Cal Poly
Cal Poly is a nationally-ranked public university located in San Luis Obispo, California, and known for its Learn by Doing philosophy. Each year more than 20,000 top-tier students come to San Luis Obispo to put knowledge into action, taking their learning outside the classroom as they prepare for careers in engineering, agriculture, science, business, humanities and the built environment. Cal Poly’s hands-on philosophy, small class sizes and close student-faculty mentorships result in graduates ready from day one to impact their communities, California and the world. For more information, visit calpoly.edu .
Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment
This position is open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal Poly provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. Cal Poly complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.
Cal Poly is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At Cal Poly, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.
Supplemental Information
Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. Cal Poly will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Cal Poly has designated as sensitive. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.
The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.
Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions. Applicants for staff and management positions must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.
This position may be "Designated" under California State University's Conflict of Interest Code. This would require the filing of a Statement of Economic Interest on an annual basis and the completion of training within 6 months of assuming office and every 2 years thereafter.
Advertised: Apr 29 2026 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close:
Reporting directly to the Associate Vice President of Public Safety/Commissioner, the Senior Director of TAPS is responsible for providing visionary, strategic leadership and executive oversight of all parking, transportation and sustainable mobility programs at both the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Vallejo campus sites.
The incumbent must be a forward-thinking, strategic planner and systems-level thinker who leverages data-driven analysis, creative problem-solving, and innovative solution design to transform campus mobility. This role requires a hands-on project management leader who can guide complex initiatives from concept through execution while cultivating strong campus partnerships and delivering an exceptional customer experience.
Responsibilities include representing Public Safety in the campus planning process and liaising with Facilities and external partners on capital projects construction plans, safety evaluations, and long-range mobility planning tied to university master plans.
Department Summary
The Public Safety Unit consists of four departments: Cal Poly Police Department, Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS), Department of Emergency Management, and Public Safety Business Services. TAPS is a multi-million-dollar, self-support operation managing all aspects of campus parking infrastructure, mobility programs, enforcement, and revenue generation through fees and fines. This unit operates under multiple layers of federal, state, CSU, local, and County regulations and plays a critical role in campus access, sustainability, and compliance.
Key Qualifications
- Demonstrated leadership and management ability to direct, supervise, motivate, and evaluate professional and operational staff; implement strategic priorities; and lead short- and long-term departmental planning initiatives in a fast-paced, diverse, and service-oriented environment.
- Strong fiscal, strategic planning, and analytical skills, including development and implementation of long-range parking and transportation plans; budget development and administration; revenue forecasting; financial oversight; and assessment of operational and regulatory impacts on resources.
- Ability to demonstrate a high level of strategic thinking, adaptability, and the ability to lead complex departmental change in a dynamic campus environment.
- Proven experience leading complex projects and organizational change initiatives, with strong project management and execution skills.
- Comprehensive knowledge of parking and transportation operations within a higher education or public sector environment, including parking management technologies, shuttle and transit services, traffic management, transit demand management (TDM), trip reduction programs, and oversight of daily enforcement, scheduling, and facility operations.
- Technical proficiency with parking and transit management systems and data analytics tools (e.g., scheduling, dispatch, real-time tracking, and reporting platforms) to evaluate performance metrics, improve operational efficiency, and support data-informed decision-making.
Education and Experience
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited university in Business Administration, City, Regional, Civil Engineer, or Transportation Planning, or a related field.
- Seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in parking or transit professions. Minimum of two years of management supervision experience.
- Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.
Licenses, Certificates, Credentials:
- Possession of CAPP (Certified Administrator of Public Parking) certification or the ability to obtain within the first twenty-four (24) months of employment with the campus.
- Possession of a valid California driver's license or the ability to obtain by date of hire.
Salary and Benefits
The anticipated hiring range for this role is $115,000 - $140,000. Note that the offer is calculated based on the background and relevant years of experience of the individual selected.
Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Anticipated Hiring Range referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Classification Range may be broader than what the University anticipates paying for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).
Cal Poly offers a best-in-class benefits program, including health, dental and vision insurance, retirement participation in the Public Employees' Retirement System, and educational benefits for eligible employees. See our benefits website for additional information.
Cal Poly
Cal Poly is a nationally-ranked public university located in San Luis Obispo, California, and known for its Learn by Doing philosophy. Each year more than 20,000 top-tier students come to San Luis Obispo to put knowledge into action, taking their learning outside the classroom as they prepare for careers in engineering, agriculture, science, business, humanities and the built environment. Cal Poly’s hands-on philosophy, small class sizes and close student-faculty mentorships result in graduates ready from day one to impact their communities, California and the world. For more information, visit calpoly.edu .
Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment
This position is open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal Poly provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. Cal Poly complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.
Cal Poly is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At Cal Poly, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.
Supplemental Information
Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. Cal Poly will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Cal Poly has designated as sensitive. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.
The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.
Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions. Applicants for staff and management positions must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.
This position may be "Designated" under California State University's Conflict of Interest Code. This would require the filing of a Statement of Economic Interest on an annual basis and the completion of training within 6 months of assuming office and every 2 years thereafter.
Advertised: Apr 29 2026 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close:
Salary : $115,000 - $140,000