Transit Operations Director

SUMMARY

The Transit Operations Director provides executive leadership and direction for all operational aspects of Jo Daviess County Transit. This position oversees daily service delivery, personnel management, fleet and facility operations, dispatch, customer service, safety program implementation, and operational budgeting. The Director ensures that transit services are delivered safely, efficiently, and in accordance with County policies and applicable federal and state regulations.

This position does not perform or supervise compliance functions. All compliance, grant administration, procurement compliance, drug and alcohol program management, and required IDOT/FTA reporting are performed independently by the Program Compliance & Administrative Services Manager (PCOM).

APPOINTMENT AND SUPERVISION

The Transit Operations Director is hired by and works under the general supervision of the County Administrator. The Director oversees all Transit operational staff and is responsible for directing, evaluating, and supporting personnel involved in service delivery.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

Operational Leadership & Management

• Provides executive leadership for all transit operations, ensuring safe, efficient, and customer focused service delivery.
• Oversees daily operations, including dispatch, scheduling, routing, and service coordination.
• Supervises all Transit operational staff, including hiring, training, performance evaluation, discipline, and workforce development.
• Implements operational policies and procedures consistent with County standards and industry best practices.
• Ensures continuous radio and digital communication between dispatch, drivers, and administrative staff.
• Oversees customer service functions, including resolution of service issues and public inquiries.
• Coordinates with healthcare facilities, community organizations, and partner agencies to support passenger needs.

Fleet, Facility, and Equipment Oversight

• Oversees maintenance and repair of all Transit vehicles, equipment, and facilities.
• Ensures compliance with preventive maintenance schedules and safety inspection requirements.
• Coordinates with internal staff and external vendors for repairs that cannot be completed in house.
• Maintains inventory of capital assets, tools, equipment, and safety devices.
• Ensures readiness and safe operation of all mechanical, electrical, HVAC, and facility systems.

Safety Program Implementation

• Oversees implementation of safety policies and procedures, including emergency response protocols.
• Ensures compliance with safety related federal and state regulations (excluding compliance reporting handled by PCOM).
• Supports the Transit Safety & Training Manager in delivering training, conducting evaluations, and implementing retraining programs.
• Reviews accident and incident reports and directs operational corrective actions.
• Makes operational determinations regarding closures, delays, and weather related service adjustments.

Operational Budgeting & Financial Management

• Develops and administers the Transit operational budget (excluding grant compliance and reimbursement functions handled by PCOM).
• Monitors expenditures, service levels, and operational efficiency metrics.
• Provides financial projections, cost analyses, and operational data to the County Administrator.
• Supports capital planning and asset replacement strategies.

Data, Reporting, and Performance Monitoring

• Reviews operational reports, dispatch logs, accident/incident reports, and service performance metrics.
• Monitors ridership trends, service demand, and operational efficiency.
• Prepares internal operational reports for the County Administrator and County Board.
• Provides operational data to the PCOM for required IDOT/FTA reporting.

Public Engagement & Communications

• Represents Jo Daviess County Transit at community meetings, public events, and stakeholder engagements.
• Oversees public information materials, including route schedules, service updates, and customer communications.
• Coordinates with County Administration on public messaging, media inquiries, and service announcements.

Technology, Software, and Systems Oversight

• Oversees operational software systems, dispatching platforms, tablets, radios, and related technology.
• Coordinates with vendors to ensure systems meet operational needs and support service delivery.
• Supports implementation of technology upgrades and digital tools for drivers and dispatch.

Additional Duties

• Drives Transit vehicles as needed in emergency or contingency situations.
• Performs other duties as assigned and requested by the County Administrator.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in transportation management, business administration, public administration, logistics, or a related field; or
• Associate’s degree in a related field and at least five years of progressively responsible experience in transit operations, fleet management, or public service delivery; or
• Any equivalent combination of education and experience.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Strong knowledge of public transit operations, scheduling, dispatch, and service delivery.
• Knowledge of vehicle maintenance, facility systems, and safety requirements.
• Ability to supervise and develop staff effectively.
• Ability to interpret and implement operational policies and procedures.
• Strong communication skills, including public presentations and report preparation.
• Ability to make independent operational decisions under time pressure.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Proficiency with operational software, radio systems, tablets, and digital communication tools.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services which includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Significant knowledge of the rules of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• Ability to make safety related judgement decisions based on safety, hazards, weather; often having to make independent determinations on closures, delays, and/or cancellations.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Driving record with less than 25 points resulting from moving violations in the previous three years.
• Must pass DOT physicals, FTA drug and alcohol random testing (These positions are considered safety- sensitive and subject to drug and alcohol testing, including random testing, under Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) drug and alcohol regulations).
• Must obtain and maintain CPR and First Aid certifications.
• Must have proficiency in utilizing the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) device.
• Must obtain and maintain Bloodborne Pathogen Certification (BBP).
• Must obtain and maintain Reasonable Suspicion Drug and Alcohol Testing Training Certification for Managers.
• Must obtain and maintain Q’STRAINT Trainer-Operator Certification
• Must be capable of working with persons with developmental disabilities.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform successfully in the position.

While performing the duties and responsibilities of this position, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk, listen, and hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

This position will have extensive contact with others. Workloads can be extensive with limited time for response and/or action. Position requires prolonged periods of concentration and the ability to cope with numerous interruptions and changing priorities.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform successfully in the position.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee will alternate between working in a temperature controlled, non- smoking office environment and working outside in all types of weather conditions. The employee may occasionally work near moving mechanical equipment and parts and be exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and to the sun’s radiation.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, although from time to time it may be loud due to the operation of construction and maintenance equipment.

TERMS

This is a grant funded position. Should funding for this position be eliminated, or grant dollars decrease to the point where the position cannot be funded, the county has the right to terminate the position.

Pay: From $64,542.00 per year

Benefits:

• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan

Work Location: In person

Salary : $64,542