Assistant Manager, Operations (Rail)

RTD • Denver, CO

1d • $92,003 - $129,955 • Onsite

About The Position

This position is responsible for the management and oversight of rail delivery, ensuring safe, reliable and customer-focused service. This position leads rail operations personnel in executing strategic goals, objectives, and initiatives while ensuring compliance with rail operations policies, rules, plans, procedures, work instructions, and all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. This role requires strong leadership, collaboration, and decision-making skills to guide teams, sustain passenger rail vehicle maintenance efficiency, and uphold the principles of RTD.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration or Transportation/Logistics required, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience.
• Three (3) years of progressive experience in rail operations. This includes developing and aligning operational processes for consistency and efficiency, leading initiatives to enhance service reliability and performance, overseeing rail service delivery strategies, and working directly with regulatory agencies.
• Two (2) years of supervisory experience in a rail operations environment, including experience with overseeing and integrating operational processes across multiple modes and service areas (e.g., bus, rail, and special services), delivering strategic initiatives, managing cross-functional teams, and coordinating complex rail service delivery activities.
• Experience with budget development, performance measurement, labor relations, and contract management.
• Demonstrated experience working with Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Federal Transit Administration (FTA), or other applicable regulatory agencies in a maintenance capacity.
• Must have a valid Colorado driver license or ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire, and the ability to travel between facilities.
• Manage daily rail operations, ensuring safe, reliable, and customer‑focused operations.
• Apply industry best practices, analytics, and performance measures to improve service reliability and efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with FTA/FRA regulations, safety management systems, and risk‑mitigation requirements.
• Lead safety programs, oversee incident investigations, and implement corrective actions.
• Supervise staff through coaching, performance evaluations, and workforce development aligned with labor agreements.
• Develop and maintain operational policies, procedures, and work instructions that support consistent, compliant service delivery.
• Analyze operational data, track KPIs, and prepare reports with recommendations for performance improvement.
• Manage budgets, financial planning, cost control, and contract administration for service delivery operations.
• Coordinate emergency response, service restoration, and operational adjustments during disruptions or equipment failures.
• Collaborate with internal departments, regulatory agencies, and industry partners to support strategic planning and continuous improvement.
• Communicating complex operational concepts to a diverse audience, including executives, front-line employees, and external stakeholders.
• Adapting to emerging technologies and implementing innovations that enhance operations
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.
• Ability to use sound judgment.
• Ability to manage time and workload effectively, including planning, organizing, and prioritizing with attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop staff through coaching, performance management, and consistent communication of expectations.
• Oversee daily rail operations, resolving operational issues and ensuring safe, reliable, customer‑focused service.
• Develop and maintain operational policies, rules, plans, procedures, and work instructions aligned with regulatory and industry standards.
• Direct emergency and degraded operations response, including on‑scene coordination during incidents and service disruptions.
• Manage safety programs, conduct incident investigations, and implement corrective actions to improve system safety and reliability.
• Coordinate with maintenance divisions to minimize service impacts from equipment failures, construction, and infrastructure work.
• Oversee operational testing, commissioning, and inspection of rail vehicles to ensure readiness and compliance.
• Analyze operational data, track KPIs, and prepare reports with recommendations to enhance performance and efficiency.
• Administer budgets, contracts, and vendor performance to support cost‑effective and compliant service delivery.
• Collaborate across departments and regulatory partners to support strategic planning, workforce development, and continuous improvement.
• Maintain appropriate staffing levels and reviews progress to ensure the quality and quantity of work meet standards and deadlines for deliverables to meet program goals and objectives.
• Recruit staff to include interviewing, hiring, assigning work, training, coaching, and counseling to ensure consistent application of Employee Guidelines, processes, and procedures.
• Conduct performance reviews and holds employees accountable for optimal performance of their responsibilities.
• Foster a safety-first culture, prioritizing prevention, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Take action to advance the goals of Equal Employment Opportunity, Small/ Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Title VI and ADA Plans, thereby ensuring RTD's hiring programs, work environment, contracting and procurement practices, and transit services/programs are fair, equal, and non-discriminatory.
• Performs all other job-related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• 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.)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level