Design Manager, Arterial Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)

Metropolitan Council•Minneapolis, MN

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Metropolitan Council's Metro Transit Division is seeking a Design Manager for the Arterial Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) department. This role is responsible for the planning, design, and implementation of high-profile BRT corridor projects. The Design Manager will lead a team responsible for the design of stations, systems, and bus priority treatments on arterial BRT projects. This position involves managing and coaching staff, overseeing consultant teams, coordinating with various government entities, and providing engineering support during construction. This recruitment will establish an eight (8) month Eligibility List for current and future vacancies.

Requirements

Any combination of experience in multi-discipline engineering or architectural project management of capital construction projects and completed education in Engineering, Architecture, Transportation Planning, or related industry.
Three (3) years of supervisory experience or project team leadership.
High School diploma/GED with ten (10) years of experience OR Associate's degree AND eight (8) years of experience OR Bachelor's degree AND six (6) years of experience OR Master's degree AND four (4) years of experience.
Valid driver's license and good driving record.
Professional Engineering/Architecture registration from the State of Minnesota or ability to obtain such registration within six months from the date of employment.

Nice To Haves

Experience in the design and construction of public transportation facilities, urban streets, and/or intelligent transportation systems
Skills in performance management and performance coaching.
Skills in project management and coordination of multiple disciplines.
Experience and technical knowledge in the preparation of plans and specifications.
Experience in leading and facilitating meetings with very complex and detailed materials.
Knowledge of or aptitude to learn the geography and transit system of the Twin Cities.
A thorough understanding of the current regional transit system is critical to successfully execute job duties.
Ability to work with municipalities, metropolitan agencies, community groups and the public.
Experience with Microsoft Office365 tools (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, SharePoint, etc.).
Experience working with diverse populations and understanding the value different experiences bring to the workplace.
Interest in and enthusiasm for public transit.

Responsibilities

Manage Metro Transit arterial BRT design staff in project engineering activities, including procurement of A/E & consultant services (RFP), corridor civil and systems design development, internal/external review of plans and specifications, procurement of construction contracts (IFB), and other project related functions.
Manage performance of design team: set clear expectations and accountability, develop work plans and goals, manage progress, remove barriers, coach for desired results, and clearly communicate feedback to develop and retain staff and achieve project goals.
Develop positive coaching relationships, maintain ongoing communication, and meet regularly with direct report staff to provide support and oversight for project tasks, remove barriers to progress, and ensure accountability for project goals.
Generate work plans for multiple projects/phases to define capital project staffing budgets for design staff positions.
Meet bi-weekly with arterial BRT management team to report progress and barriers to project advancement, and define strategies to overcoming these barriers.
Manage engineering activities related to design of BRT projects, including working with other units of government, consultants and contractors, and internal staff.
Develop scopes of work for engineering services, materials testing, and other engineering phase consultant contracts and direct work of consultant teams under contract to the Council, managing large and interdisciplinary work efforts valued at $10-20 million in engineering services per project.
Lead coordination with internal stakeholders/customers and external agency staff, working to communicate BRT project goals, understand stakeholder needs and concerns, and seek consensus in design solutions while working within defined budget and schedule.
Coordinate proactively with other arterial BRT project delivery staff including Project Managers, Agreements Lead, and Environmental Compliance Lead, to inform project decision-making related to design and construction phases.
Develop plans, specifications, estimates, and other design documents for BRT projects, including civil, structural, traffic, and systems design disciplines, that comply with local / Council / State / Federal regulations.
Manage design reviews at 0%, 30%, 60%, and 90% completion, tracking and resolving stakeholder comments to ensure internal/external buy-in and plan signoff.
Prepare and review/modify contract scopes of work, review proposals, recommend contract execution and administer contracts on behalf of Metro Transit, following all applicable procurement processes and procedures.
Provide QA and QC oversight on contracts managed by supervised staff.
Develop scope and budget for engineering/construction administration services contracts spanning preliminary design through project operations, working closely with internal BRT project management peers and Procurement, Grants, and Finance staff.
Administer contract changes, including scope revisions, amendments, and maintain project control; manage scope, schedule, and budget of engineering contracts.
Supervise and provide QA and QC oversight on contracts managed by supervised staff to ensure compliance with policies and procedures.
Develop, modify, and ensure compliance with technical policies, procedures and standards for Metro Transit's BRT project activities in alignment with overall Metro Transit procedures.
Apply applicable agency procedures to BRT engineering activities and ensure procedures are followed by direct report staff.
Where existing procedures do not exist, develop best practice documentation and project-specific procedures to standardize approaches to common BRT issues (such as design checklists for standalone BRT station construction projects, temporary, or partial implementations).
Identify and manage updates to documentation of arterial BRT design standards, engage internal / external stakeholders in updates as needed, and disseminate information clearly to stakeholders.
Serve (or supervise staff serving) as contract project manager during construction phase.
Coordinate with peer Manager, Construction Services to resource construction-phase staffing between Council's Authorized Representative (CAR) and consultant staff.
For projects directly managed, direct consultant development of Invitation for Bid (IFB) documents and lead procurement and contract award of construction contract.
Review and approve change orders, invoices, schedule revisions, and other contract actions.
For projects directly managed, serve as contract project manager for construction phase in close coordination with Manager, Construction Services and Council's Authorized Representative (CAR).
Manage interdepartmental coordination and construction-phase activities from Information Services, Facilities Maintenance, Revenue Operations, Street Operations, Asset Management, and other departments to ensure project activities are completed on time and on budget.
Supervise and provide QA and QC to direct report staff managing engineering on other projects in the above tasks.
Serve as BRT engineering subject matter expert for (a) BRT projects yet to enter engineering and (b) early coordination for BRT-ready street construction projects.
Review corridor plan documents assembled by BRT planning staff to identify engineering/constructability risks, apply best practices in early siting, and advise on early station concepts.
Identify future BRT-ready needs on externally-led street construction projects (by cities, counties, MnDOT, et al.) and lead negotiation of the early implementation of design needs outside of full BRT corridor advancement.
Lead development of design document inputs on externally-led projects to coordinate placement of platforms, conduit, wiring, civil design details and other station requirements to minimize rework and maximize efficiency of public investment.
Ensure project components are constructed according to Metro Transit standards.