Deputy Chief Operating Officer – Transportation Full Time

This position is open until filled – initial review to begin September 5, 2025.

We are the Metropolitan Council, the regional government for the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. We plan 30 years ahead for the future of the metropolitan area and provide regional transportation, wastewater, and housing services.

We are committed to supporting a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

Metro Transit is one of the country’s largest transit systems, employs more than 3,400 people, and provides ridership through an integrated network of buses, light rail and commuter trains, as well as a resource for those who carpool, vanpool, walk or bike in the Twin Cities.

How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities region:
You will provide executive-level leadership to Metro Transit’s Transportation divisions within Operations including more than 1,800 Bus and Light Rail staff. You will report to the Deputy General Manager – Chief Operating Officer and maintain a close partnership with the Deputy Chief Operating Officer – Maintenance to lead staff.

What you would do in this job

• Inform, meet with and provide recommendations to the General Manager, Deputy General Manager – Chief Operating Officer, Deputy Chief Operating Officer – Maintenance and other Division heads on matters related to the performance of the Bus and Light Rail Transportation divisions.
• Hold regular meetings with Direct Reports to review performance of the system, workforce staffing & development needs, new initiatives and to resolve departmental issues.
• Serve as Transportation Lead for collective bargaining/negotiations. Serve as 2nd Step hearing officer, as assigned. Partner with Labor Relations staff and Chief Labor Relations Officer to review matters brought forward for arbitration when no mutual agreement has been reached in the grievance process. Work closely with union leadership to resolve issues and to promote a positive work environment for all employees.
• Serve as the Transportation lead for departmental Operating and Capital Budget submissions in coordination with the DGM-COO. This position is also responsible for budget adherence and the approval process for new contracts/purchases with division/department directors reporting to them including materials, supplies, and services to keep the bus and rail system operating. Works in coordination with the Director – Engineering & Facilities on shared projects for facilities.
• Promotes a positive workplace culture for employees in all roles.
• Proactively seeks and evaluates employee feedback to improve their ability to successfully complete their job responsibilities.
• Routinely uses Metro Transit bus and light rail services to understand the customer and front-line employee experience and to better inform decision-making.
• Supports the development of plans, training, and programs to ensure the future workforce staffing and development needs are met from front-line positions to management and senior management roles in coordination with the DCOO-Maintenance, Human Resources and the DGM-COO.
• Collaborate with the Deputy COO – Maintenance and other department heads to ensure that work efforts are being connected to agency goals and strategic initiatives within the Metro Transit Forward strategic framework.
• Work with the DGM – COO to develop recommendations for the strategic planning of the agency.
• Advise the DGM-COO and work with the Deputy COO- Maintenance on the development and preparation of performance reviews including leveraging the PERFORM system for employee management and development throughout the year.
• Participates and represents Metro Transit on industry working groups, standards committees and professional development activities.
• Perform other duties directly related to this position as assigned.

What education and experience are required for this job (minimum qualifications)

Any of the following combinations of experience and education completed in the field of Business Administration, Public Administration, Transportation, Engineering or a related field are acceptable. Experience must include progressively responsible operations management experience in a large organization providing services to the public.

• High School diploma and fourteen (14) years experience, including four (4) of those years in the transit/transportation industry and five (5) years of senior management experience leading multiple units, teams or department.
• Associates Degree and twelve (12) years of experience, including four (4) of those years in the transit/transportation industry and five (5) years of senior management experience leading multiple units, teams or department.
• Bachelor’s degree and ten (10) years of experience, including four (4) of those years in the transit/transportation industry and five (5) years of senior management experience leading multiple units, teams or department.

AND

• Has demonstrated the ability to effectively oversee a large scope of bus and/or rail program management and administrative functions.
• Has demonstrated human relations experience in dealing with organized labor and non-represented employees.
• Has proven success at interpersonal communications and relations, including the ability to work effectively with elected officials and members of the media.

What additional skills and experience would be helpful in this job (desired qualifications):

• Experience improving the recruitment, retention, development and support of a diverse workforce.
• Experience effectively leading large initiatives within an organization.

What knowledge, skills and abilities you should have within the first six months on the job:

• Knowledge of Bus and Rail operations/service delivery best practices.
• Experience overseeing bus and light rail service activities including service performance management, training, critical incident management and employee management.
• Knowledge of working knowledge of labor agreements and contract negotiations. Knowledge of development of strategic recommendations and priorities.
• Knowledge of transit-specific industry & workplace customs, norms, working conditions.
• Skilled in both written and verbal communications.
• Skilled in coaching and mentoring others.
• Skilled in problem solving, especially the ability to develop creative solutions.
• Skilled in analytical skills, especially with technical issues in the operations areas.
• Skilled in Emergency Management/Continuity of Operations disciplines.
• Ability to lead others in the organization.
• Ability to delegate effectively.
• Ability to communicate clearly to audiences of all sizes including media.
• Ability to build consensus and negotiate to the desired outcome.
• Ability advocate and champion diversity, equity and inclusion.

What you can expect from us:

• We offer the opportunity to make a difference and positively influence the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
• We encourage our employees to develop their skills through on-site training and tuition reimbursement.
• We provide a competitive salary, excellent benefits and a good work/life balance.
• Career advancement opportunities.
• Relocation assistance reimbursement, as provided in Metropolitan Council Policy.

Additional information

Union/Grade: Non-Represented – Unclassified / Pay Grade E-1

FLSA Status: Exempt

Safety Sensitive: No

Work Environment:

Work is performed in a standard office setting. Requires travel between primary work site to other sites.

What steps the recruitment process involves:
1. We review your minimum qualifications.
2. We rate your education and experience.
3. We conduct a structured panel interview via Microsoft Teams.
4. We conduct an on-site selection interview.

Once you have successfully completed the steps above, then:

If you are new to the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a background check, which verifies education and employment, covers driving record and any criminal record. If you have a criminal conviction, you do not automatically fail. The Metropolitan Council considers felony, gross misdemeanor and misdemeanor convictions on a case-by-case basis, based on whether they are related to the job and whether the candidate has demonstrated adequate rehabilitation.

If you are already an employee of the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a background check which verifies education and employment if not verified previously. If the job you’re applying for is safety-sensitive, is a supervisory or management job, is in the Finance, Information Services, Audit, or Human Resources departments, or has access to financial records, files/databases, cash, vouchers or transit fare cards, you must pass a pass a criminal background check. If you have a criminal conviction, you do not automatically fail. The Metropolitan Council considers felony, gross misdemeanor, and misdemeanor convictions on a case-by-case basis, based on whether they are related to the job and whether the candidate has demonstrated adequate rehabilitation.

IMPORTANT: If you make a false statement or withhold information, you may be barred from job consideration.

The Metropolitan Council is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and veteran-friendly employer. The Council is committed to a workforce that reflects the diversity of the region and strongly encourages persons of color, members of the LGBTQ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply.

If you have a disability that requires an accommodation during the selection process, please email HR-OCCHealth@metc.state.mn.us.

We believe our employees are a key to our agency’s success! In order to attract and retain high quality employees, the Council provides a highly competitive benefits package both in choice and coverage levels. Some highlights about our benefits are listed below:

• Guaranteed monthly retirement income through Minnesota State Retirement System pension fund
• Opportunity to save additional funds for retirement on a tax-deferred basis through a voluntary deferred compensation (457) plan
• Two or more medical plans from which to choose, with employer contribution towards premiums over 80%
• Dental insurance, life insurance and vision insurance

The following benefits are provided to all employees as part of working for the Council. You will have access to free:

• Well@Work clinic
• bus/rail pass valued at over $1200 per year
• parking at many job locations
• fitness centers at many job locations
• Employee Assistance Program
• extensive health and wellness programs and resources

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