CEO/GENERAL MANAGER

DEFINITION

Under the direction of  the Board of Directors, assumes full responsibility for the administration, management and development of the Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (Santa Cruz METRO); makes recommendations to the Board regarding the business affairs of Santa Cruz METRO and assumes the leadership role in executing the decisions of the Board; has overall responsibility for the functioning of Santa Cruz METRO to include the operational, maintenance, financial, human resources, and information technology departments; represents Santa Cruz METRO’s interests as directed by the Board in legislative matters; responsible for maintaining positive and productive relationships with the public, employee unions, state, federal and local agencies, as well as transit districts within the state and throughout the country. METRO’s state and federal lobby/advocacy representatives and transit industry professional organizations such as APTA, CTA, CTAA and CalACT.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL DUTIES

(May include, but are not limited to, those duties listed below)

  • Accountable for the overall administration of the agency including establishing management objectives.  
  •  Provides strategic leadership and direction to the fixed route and ParaCruz operations, maintenance, finance, transportation planning, human resources, information technology, construction and general administrative functions.  
  • Manages assets and infrastructure including vehicles, facilities and related equipment and ensures that assets are managed in a way that is safe, efficient and cost-effective. 
  • Facilitates and assists in the development and implementation of budgets and balances agency needs and objectives with limited financial resources. 
  • Seeks to understand current and/or potential problems and concerns at all levels of the organization and works with management staff to develop solutions.
  • Acts as the official and informal liaison with a wide variety of local, state and federal professionals and officials in order to develop and obtain funding sources.
  • Represents Santa Cruz METRO at national, state and local meetings of transit professionals, legislators and citizen’s groups and works to promote the best interests of the agency.
  • Demonstrates knowledge of current industry trends and practices in transportation and mobility and the ability to implement best practices and innovative initiatives and technologies in order to achieve METRO’s performance goals.
  • Prepares or oversees the preparation of reports and correspondence to provide information the Board may need to address issues of concern to the public or the successful functioning of Santa Cruz METRO.
  • Provides the Board with information related to the transportation industry and assists the Board with the development of objectives that would best meet the needs of the public while maintaining a strong organization. 
  • Empowers and mentors employees at all levels of the organization to work toward and achieve METRO’s mission, goals and objectives and maintains a culture of respect and inclusion throughout the agency. 
  • Demonstrates an understanding of negotiation and collective bargaining agreements and the ability to maintain a positive working relationship with union leadership and represented and non-represented employees.
  • In collaboration with human resources, oversees employee benefit programs including retirement programs, insurance plans and other employee benefit programs.
  • Ensures management and staff have the resources necessary to insure compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws.
  • Promotes and enforces Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action programs.
  • Promotes compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and works with staff to encourage disability awareness.
  • Ensures the safety and reliability of Santa Cruz METRO.
  • May act as Santa Cruz METRO’s representative with radio, television and social media venues.
  • May make presentations at legislative, transportation and governmental events.
  • Performs other duties as assigned by the Board of Directors.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge of:

  • Principles and practices of public administration, business management, budgeting, procurement, accounting, and public transit operations.
  • Trends, innovations, best practices and technologies in transportation and mobility.
  • Financial management in a complex operating environment including operating and capital budgets, funding, revenue management, asset management, employee benefit programs, long-term fiscal planning needs, and compliance with federal, state and local regulations.
  • Transit District facility service, management, and maintenance.
  • Federal, State and local laws, ordinances and regulations pertaining to public transit operations.
  • Labor relations including negotiation, collective bargaining agreements, and working with union leadership. 
  • All aspects of program and project management from planning to delivery and implementation.
  • Regulations and procedures applicable to obtaining financial grants for public transportation.

Ability to:

  • Manage transit operations in a complex operating environment.
  • Plan, organize and direct all METRO activities.
  • Achieve and implement a strategic plan as adopted by Santa Cruz METRO’s Board of Directors
  • Provide and implement a strategic vision for the agency along with long-term and short-term objectives in coordination with the Board of Directors.
  • Maintain a collaborative, productive and transparent relationship with the Board of Directors.
  • Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with elected officials, other governmental and transit agencies, the business community, organized labor, senior and disabled communities, public constituencies, the press and social media applications.
  • Effectively communicate in public, at meetings and with media sources both orally and in writing. Resolve conflict and balance different ideas and viewpoints in order to make decisions that are best for the agency. 
  • Build consensus  and communicate a common vision for the agency among the Board, staff, labor, internal and external groups.
  • Establish management objectives and plan programs to accomplish them.
  • Plan, organize and direct all Santa Cruz METRO activities.
  • Select, supervise, motivate, mentor and evaluate personnel and maintain a positive and collaborative working environment for employees at all levels.
  • Interpret and analyze fiscal, operational and planning data, user reactions and governmental regulations.
  • Collect and utilize data and metrics in order to make informed decisions and improve agency performance. 
  • Develop technical expertise in working with and controlling activities of a variety of consultants.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

Graduation from an accredited college with a bachelor’s degree in transportation, transportation management, business administration, engineering or a related field. AND Seven (7) years of increasingly responsible management experience at an organization of comparable nature, complexity and size to METRO

Experience in obtaining and administering state and federal funding is desirable.

Experience which demonstrates substantial knowledge and abilities pertinent to specific job functions may be substituted for the education requirement.

Must be able to work extended hours as needed, often outside regular business hours as required by the Board and the demands of the job. Possession of, or the ability to obtain and maintain a California Class C driver’s license. Must pass requisite background check.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently required to sit, talk or hear, both in person and by telephone, use hands to finger, handle or feel objects or controls, reach with hands and arms.  The employee is regularly required to stand, walk bend and twist at the neck.  Occasional lifting of up to 20 pounds and overhead reaching is required.  Visual abilities required include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Must be able to work extended hours as needed, often outside regular business hours as required by the Board and the demands of the job. Possession of, or the ability to obtain and maintain a California Class C driver’s license.

Must pass requisite background check.

FLSA STATUS

Exempt

UNION

N/A

CONFIDENTIAL OR NON-CONFIDENTIAL POSITION

Confidential 

Established 01/14

Revised 12/15/2021