Assistant Chief of Arlington Transit

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Arlington County requires all applicants to thoroughly complete each section of the application, including prior job responsibilities, duties, and supplemental questions. While you may attach a resume, it will not replace a completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

The Department of Environmental Services (DES) is seeking a dynamic Assistant Chief to join our team to help oversee the operational and strategic management of Arlington Transit’s fixed route bus service, ART, its paratransit service (STAR), microtransit, as well as assist with the coordination and integration of operations and capital programs to help Arlington Transit move forward with ideas and innovation.

Arlington Transit is responsible for delivering public transportation services throughout Arlington and provides oversight of regional services provided by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) and the Virginia Railway Express (VRE). Arlington Transit also oversees the delivery of a robust capital infrastructure program which includes bus and rail infrastructure projects and transit technology projects within Arlington.

This position reports to the Chief of Arlington Transit and serves as a key member of the leadership team. The Assistant Chief ensures the safe, effective, and efficient operation of Arlington Transit by focusing on customer service, safety, reliability, cost management, and compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.

Specific duties include:      

• Leading cross-functional teams, providing operational guidance for ART, STAR, microtransit services, planning functions, and vehicle and facility maintenance;
• Collaborating with the Transit Services Manager and team members to develop strategies for sustaining and improving ridership, on-time performance, service reliability, and service expansion;
• Guiding the development and implementation of standard operating procedures, policies, and accountability measures while ensuring clear communication of expectations;
• Coordinating projects and activities across operating, technology, marketing, and capital teams, and serving as liaison to regional transit entities;
• Identifying opportunities for operational improvements and leading change initiatives in coordination with the Chief of Arlington Transit;
• Overseeing performance analysis, interpreting data, recommending improvements, and managing budgets to support Arlington Transit’s strategic objectives;
• Ensuring staff receive appropriate support, guidance, and training to successfully carry out responsibilities and develop professionally.

The ideal candidate is a results-driven, forward-thinking leader with experience managing talent, strong critical thinking skills, and a comprehensive understanding of fixed-route, paratransit, microtransit, and transit capital project delivery. They thrive in dynamic environments, work well independently and collaboratively, and are committed to the safe, effective, and efficient delivery of transit services while staying informed on emerging transit operations and projects both nationally and globally.

Minimum:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Transportation Engineering, Urban or Transportation Planning, Business, Public Administration, or related field; and
• Three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in designing, developing, constructing and/or managing transit services or transit capital projects.

Substitution: Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis.

Desirable: Preference may be given to candidates with a Master’s degree in a related field as well as one or more of the following:

• 5+ years of experience in transportation or transit operations, planning, and/or capital delivery with at least 4 years in a supervisory or managerial role;
• Well-versed in transportation safety standards, ADA compliance, transit planning, transit funding, transit technology, and emergency response planning; and/or
• Experience working in an adaptive environment and committed to providing/delivering high standards for a rider’s experience, including but not limited to, ways to improve on-time performance, increase ridership, and balance budget priorities.

Special Requirements

Background Check: A pre-employment criminal records check will be conducted. It will include checks of the following: criminal record, driving record, education, professional licensure, and credit history. You will be required to sign a release authorizing the County to obtain your background information.

Driver’s License: The applica