Class Code: OA210
FLSA Status: Exempt

Deputy Director of Operations

Bargaining Unit: Management

DEFINITION:

Under general direction, the Deputy Director of Operations plans, organizes, directs, develops, and coordinates the activities of the Operations Department including fixed route and paratransit operations; ensures compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations; performs other duties as assigned.  

Deputy

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

Receives general direction from the Chief Operating Officer. Exercises general supervision over supervisory, technical, and administrative support staff as assigned. This is a “working” manager classification responsible for managing and participating in fixed route and paratransit operations, as well as developing and implementing policies and procedures to ensure department activities are in accordance with Santa Cruz METRO goals, developing work plans and goals, and monitoring assigned budget. The Deputy Director of Operations is distinguished from Operations Supervisors in that the former is responsible for developing and overseeing implementation of department goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and training programs, as well as coordinating department operations and activities with other departments and outside agencies under the direct authority of the COO.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The duties listed below represent the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them if the work is related or a logical assignment to this class.

  • Manages the daily functions, operations, and activities of the Operations Department; provides planning, support, training, and oversight of fixed route and paratransit operations.
  • Provides for the selection, training, professional development, and work evaluation of department staff and the development and implementation of the department staffing plan and work schedules; reviews and approves disciplinary actions recommended by supervisory personnel; serves as first level hearing officer for disciplinary hearing; and provides policy guidance and interpretation to staff. 
  • Develops and standardizes operations policies, procedures, methods, and training programs to improve and continuously monitor the compliance, efficiency, and effectiveness of services and delivery methods; performs or participates in short and long-term planning by assessing and monitoring workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement and makes recommendations to the Chief Operating Officer. 
  • Participates in the preparation and administration of the Operations Department budget; develops demand projections and updates these projections as needed for planning and budgeting purposes; forecasts additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, supplies, and projects. 
  • Develops documentation to support performance of Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) complementary paratransit eligibility determination and services in compliance with the Department of Transportation regulations implementing the ADA. 
  • Develops and manages the appeals process for paratransit program eligibility decisions and service policy decisions affecting the services received by customers. 
  • Acts as a liaison with outside agencies; meets regularly with citizen advisory groups and Santa Cruz METRO management to gather information, discuss and address operations and system performance and policy issues, and develop approaches to address problems or issues.  
  • Manages the collection, review, and analysis of data used for program evaluation; develops reporting standards in alignment with transit industry requirements and standards; prepares or reviews and approves reports and data prepared by supervisory personnel to comply with federal and state reporting requirements; reviews and approves Santa Cruz Metro accident reports.
  • Reviews training programs and makes recommendations for improvement.
  • Prepares scope of work for contract services; participates in the bid process and review of proposals; monitors contractor performance based on contract requirements and policy changes; monitors invoices for accuracy and work performed.
  • Presents operations performance data, issues, policy change recommendations, and other information to the Board of Directors. 
  • Establishes outreach programs promoting the fixed route and paratransit programs and resources.
  • Ensures databases and software systems are up to date; participates in designing, testing, and implementing new technology solutions to meet business needs. 
  • Prepares technical and administrative reports, correspondence, written recommendations, and makes oral presentations to the Santa Cruz METRO Board of Directors, management, governmental officials, and other organizations or groups as needed. 
  • Directs and participates in the maintenance of working and official department files.
  • Monitors changes in laws, regulations, and technology that may affect assigned operations; and implements policy and procedural changes as required.
  • Performs Transit Supervisor duties as necessary. 
  • Attends meetings as assigned; may represent Santa Cruz METRO in court appearances as necessary. 
  • May coordinate special bus operator events and/or services with outside agencies. 
  • May assist in preparation of labor contract negotiations. 
  • Performs other duties as assigned. 

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS:

Knowledge of:

  • Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review, evaluation, and training of staff in work procedures; grievance and conflict resolution procedures; collective bargaining agreements; and labor relations procedures.
  • Principles and practices of organization, administration, supervision, budgeting, contract oversight, and personnel management of a public transportation agency.
  • Principles and practices of fixed route and paratransit operations, route planning and scheduling, and dispatch services.
  • US Department of Transportation regulations implementing the public transit provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (49CFR Parts 37 and 38).  
  • ADA in the broader context of public accommodations and employment requirements
  • Applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, policies and procedures, and industrial safety and general safety rules and regulations applied to a public transportation system. 
  • The effective use of modern office equipment, personal computers, and standard business software.

Ability to:

  • Recommend and implement goals, objectives, practices, and key performance indicators for providing effective and efficient fixed route and paratransit services.
  • Effectively plan, organize, direct, and coordinate the functions and staff activities for assigned operations and services. 
  • Select, supervise, train, motivate, assign, evaluate, counsel, and discipline staff within a union environment. 
  • Analyze and evaluate complex problems and recommend and implement effective solutions.
  • Prepare departmental budgets and expenditure projections. 
  • Ensure staff are properly trained in compliance with regulatory requirements and Santa Cruz METRO policies and procedures. 
  • Coordinate assigned programs, projects, and activities with other departments and external agencies.
  • Prepare, interpret, and effectively utilize management information reports.
  • Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, Santa Cruz METRO policies and procedures, and industrial safety and general safety rules and regulations. 
  • Make oral and written presentations to the Board of Directors, Santa Cruz METRO management, and other groups.
  • Effectively use computer systems, software applications, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
  • Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, union representatives, Board members, stakeholders, contractors, and members of the public. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Any combination of experience and education that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be: 

Education, Training and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college in business or public administration, transportation, or a closely related field. 

AND

Four (4) years professional experience in planning, coordinating, implementing, and supervising fixed route and/or paratransit operations and programs, including two (2) years supervisory experience.  

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES:

 A valid Class B driver license with passenger Endorsement and safe driving record is required at the time of application.  A valid Class B State driver license with passenger Endorsement is required at the time of appointment and must be maintained throughout employment.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Required to be able to respond to emergency situations seven days per week, 24 hours per day.
  • Must maintain strictest confidentiality. 
  • Must participate in professional development activities. 
  • Requires occasional travel.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS:

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk, and stand; talk and hear; use hands to finger, manipulate, handle, feel, or operate objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and perform repetitive movements of hands or wrists. The employee is regularly required to bend and twist at the neck and reach with hands and arms.  Occasional standing, walking, overhead reaching, and lifting up to 20 pounds unaided is required.   Specific visual abilities required for this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.  

Mental Demands 

While performing the duties of this job, an employee uses written and oral communication skills; reads and interprets data, information, and documents; analyzes and solves problems; uses math and mathematical reasoning; performs highly detailed work; deals with multiple concurrent tasks; and interacts with others encountered in the course of work.

 Work Environment: 

The employee works in both an office environment where the noise level is usually quiet or in a bus yard environment where the noise level may be noisy.  May work out in the field when needed.  May require availability to work a flexible schedule.

OTHER CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

  • Must pass requisite background check.

*Adopted: 12-15-2023

*BOD Approved: 12-15-2023

*Revised: 00-00-0000

*Job Family: Professional –Operations