Chief Operating Officer

Golden Empire Transit District•Bakersfield, CA

About The Position

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) oversees and directs assigned functions and activities related to the effective operation of District services and the administration of delegated business affairs. The COO assists the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in establishing and implementing strategic goals, objectives, and initiatives; upholds the District’s vision, mission, and values; and ensures that public-facing service delivery reflects transit and customer-service best practices. This is an at-will, unrepresented position in a public agency. The role oversees multiple components of District operations, including delegated department operations, short- and long-range strategic planning, agency policy development, and implementation of policy decisions determined by the CEO. The COO is accountable for implementing the District’s Strategic Plan, recommending changes and measures, and evaluating progress. The position directs assigned functions through leadership and collaboration, develops staff, and represents the District with internal and external stakeholders. The CEO is the District’s highest-level executive and the COO’s reporting relationship is not explicitly stated. The position involves light to moderate work in an office setting, with some outdoor work and exposure to the elements and potential personal harm. Regular computer and keyboard use is required, along with frequent sitting, standing, and walking and occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, stooping, squatting, and bending. Work may include attending community events, riding buses, and other public-service-agency-related events. Employees are designated Disaster Service Workers and may be assigned to assist during emergencies or disasters, potentially at different locations, hours, and duties from their normal assignments.

Requirements

Education equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
Ten years of increasingly responsible management experience in a public or private transit or transportation organization, including bus or rail operations.
Five years of advanced leadership experience equivalent to department head, assistant department head, or comparable executive-level position.
Supervisory experience overseeing multiple direct reports.
Possess and maintain a valid California driver’s license and a driving record acceptable to the District.
Knowledge of transportation trends, needs, and requirements in diverse, multicultural communities.
Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations related to transportation and the affected local business environment.
Knowledge of collective bargaining, labor negotiations, negotiation strategies, and best practices.
Knowledge of business, organizational, and management practices applicable to transit organizations; budgeting, procurement, and public funding; special district policy development; and organizational change.
Ability to demonstrate strong ethics and integrity and exercise sound judgment, ingenuity, and analysis in addressing complex management problems.
Ability to build effective teams, promote open dialogue and collaboration, and solve problems across interdependent work groups.
Ability to support an inclusive workplace and value diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
Ability to motivate, coach, and develop others; provide leadership and direction to District staff and functional teams.
Ability to exercise fiscal oversight and develop and implement budgetary and operational programs within budget constraints and changing public priorities, and identify additional funding options.
Ability to assess complex technical, financial, and administrative information, anticipate obstacles, and choose effective courses of action.
Ability to understand the local political environment, evaluate performance against guidelines, and ensure accountability.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing and prepare reports and presentations using correct English.
Ability to meet, confer, and negotiate effectively with government officials, funding partners, transit-industry organizations, service organizations, and community groups.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and provide a high level of customer service.
Ability to use computers and current business-office software for email, virtual collaboration, word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations.
Ability to meet the position’s physical and sensory demands, including reading screens and printed documents and using telephone or two-way radio equipment, with or without correction.

Nice To Haves

A master’s degree is preferred; additional years of experience may substitute for preferred post-graduate education on a year-for-year basis.

Responsibilities

Oversee and direct District strategic initiatives and promote safe, reliable, and sustainable transit service; develop recommendations for action for the CEO.
Provide leadership to delegated District functions and direct assigned operations.
Plan and direct the selection, professional development, supervision, review, and evaluation of assigned directors, managers, and employees.
Mentor, coach, and develop employees; provide constructive feedback; evaluate work; counsel employees and resolve personnel actions as needed; and support morale, team building, and professional development.
Implement the District’s Strategic Plan, including recommended changes, metrics, and evaluation systems.
Identify, promote, and implement policies, goals, and programs to meet current and forecasted community and District transit-service needs.
Collaborate with the CEO on short- and long-range plans and organizational initiatives.
Analyze external trends, data, and service-area demographics to assess current and forecasted community and District needs.
Implement strategies to support sustainability, equity, and service quality for riders.
Represent the District publicly and coordinate with internal and external stakeholders, including staff, departments, unions, boards and commissions, media, elected and appointed officials, local governments, community organizations, and government agencies.
Represent the District to community groups, service organizations, civic communities, and technical industry organizations.
As directed by the CEO, coordinate with staff responsible for labor relations and collective bargaining negotiations or agreements.
Foster productive relationships with staff, local, state, and federal governments, and regional funding partners.
Prepare or direct the preparation of significant technical reports and correspondence related to assigned operational matters.
Perform other duties and special projects as assigned or determined by the CEO.
During a declared or other qualifying emergency or disaster, remain at work or report as soon as practicable and assist rescue and relief workers as assigned.