Deputy Chief Operations Officer (Bus Operations)

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When you join RTD, you will be among dedicated employees exhibiting RTD's values of passion, respect, diversity, trustworthiness, collaboration, and ownership. RTD is committed to an inclusive and diverse workplace. As part of our diversity value statement, we encourage our employees to honor diversity in thought, people, and experience. Come join RTD on this great journey to be the trusted leader in mobility, delivering excellence and value to our customers and community.

RTD Employee Benefits: https://www.rtd-denver.com/careers/benefits

(RTD Represented Employee Benefits: Please refer to the Labor Agreement included in the above link for details.)

The Deputy Chief Operations Officer (Bus Operations) provides strategic leadership across all aspects of bus operations, including transportation, street operations, maintenance, and contracted services. This role ensures service reliability, operations efficiency, and a welcoming transit environment.
Reporting to the Chief Operations Office, the DCOOB drives fiscal oversight and strategic priorities enhancing service reliability and customer satisfaction while fostering an engaged, empowered, and high-performing workforce. The position collaborates across departments to implement strategies that optimize transit performance, ensure safety compliance, and support continuous improvement.

DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leadership and Strategy

• Provides leadership and direction to Bus Operations (Bus Transportation, Street Operations, Maintenance, and Contracted Services.  Establishing department goals, objectives, and performance metrics aligned with the agency’s strategic priorities.
• Provides leadership and direction for all aspects of the organization’s ADA complementary and supplemental paratransit services (i.e., Access-a-Ride, Access-on-Demand), in addition to Microtransit programs (FlexRide).
• Leads strategic projects to improve service delivery, drive innovation, and support the agency’s long-term vision.
• Reviews, develops, and directs the implementation of policies and strategies to continuously improve bus service delivery and safety.
• Plays an integral role on the Leadership Team, ensuring coordination across departments and alignment with agency-wide initiatives.
• Collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to enhance service delivery, customer experience, and transit initiatives.
• Works collaboratively with internal stakeholders to identify, develop, and execute strategic initiatives in support of the Agency’s strategic plan.

Finance and Operations

• Serves as a senior leader in the annual bus operations budget planning process and actively engages with budget holders to ensure accurate forecasting and expense management assuring fiscal responsibility and cost-effective resource allocation.
• Allocates fleet, people power, and other resources to optimize service efficiency and meet demand.
• Identifies cost saving opportunities, revenue generation strategies, and process improvements to enhance operational effectiveness.
• Ensures financial decisions support long-term organizational sustainability and operational priorities.

Safety and Compliance

• Fosters a safety culture internally and externally liaising with, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), and other applicable regulatory agencies to ensure a mechanically safe deployment of transit services.
• Develops and enforces safety programs, risk policies, and emergency plans to minimize risks and ensure employee and customer safety.
• Collaborates with union representatives on safety concerns, workplace investigations, and compliance-related labor matters.
• Advises department leaders, assisting in decision-making and problem resolution on safety and compliance-related issues.
• Aids in the development and implementation of administrative policies and organizational structures to enhance operational safety and efficiency.

People Power Management

• Maintains appropriate staffing levels and reviews progress to ensure the quality and quantity of work meets standards and deadlines for deliverables to meet program goals and objectives.
• Recruits staff to include interviewing, hiring, assigning work, training, coaching, and counseling to ensure consistent application of Employee Guidelines, processes, and procedures.
• Conducts performance reviews and hold employees accountable for optimal performan