Director, Infrastructure Planning

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority•Boston, MA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

At the MBTA, we envision a thriving region enabled by a best-in-class transit system. Our mission is to serve the public by providing safe, reliable, and accessible transportation. MBTA’s Core Values are built around safety, service, equity, sustainability, and culture. Each employee that works for the MBTA performs their roles based on our vision, mission, and values. This includes attendance, participation, and contribution in local safety committee meetings as needed. Reporting to the Senior Director of Infrastructure Planning, this is a new role within the Engineering and Capital Division. The Director of Infrastructure Planning will help plan, direct, manage, and oversee the coordination of all ECD strategic, planning, design, and programming activities to advance modernization efforts on the MBTA’s fixed guideway, stations and support facilities, including system expansions. As part of this role, the Director will oversee a team of deputy directors, managers and project managers. In addition, the Director of Infrastructure Planning will coordinate assigned activities with other departments and outside agencies; orchestrate design review, quality management, training, and asset management standards; and perform related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Planning, Business Administration, Architecture, or a related field from an accredited institution.
Seven (7) years of progressive experience in complex project management, design, or operations related to large public infrastructure projects in public transit or transportation planning.
Five (5) years of supervisory experience.
Effective organizational, analytical, confidentiality, quantitative, writing, multi-tasking, and time management skills.
Proficiency in the use of MS Office, PowerPoint, and Graphic applications.
Effective communication skills with customers, employees, vendors, contractors, designers, public legislators, and state and federal agencies.
Excellent customer service, conflict resolution, negotiation, communication, speaking, and writing skills.
A valid driver’s license without infractions under MBTA policy.
Ability to supervise and work effectively with a diverse workforce.
A high school diploma or GED with an additional seven (7) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor’s degree requirement.
An associate’s degree from an accredited institution and an additional three (3) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor’s degree requirement.
Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. in English.
Be at least eighteen (18) years of age, except if participating in an approved high school internship / co-op program.
Ability to commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA metro area, as required by the role.
Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences.
Ability to work effectively, independently, and as part of a diverse workforce team (or supervise, if required).
Ability to uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while building and maintaining effective relationships with employees and co-workers.
Ability to adhere to rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the MBTA, including the EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies.
Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting (unless if current student or recent graduate), including overall employment, job performance, discipline, and safety records (infractions and/or offenses occurring after the closing of the posting and before the filling of a vacancy may preclude a candidate from consideration for selection).
Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, comprehensive background screening, and / or medical Clinic screening, potentially including physical examination and drug and alcohol screenings.
Ability to work all shifts and / or locations assigned, directed, or necessary for this position, including (for some transit / operations roles) up to twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as necessary to accommodate severe weather conditions, emergencies, or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service.
Intern / co-op staff must be enrolled full or part-time in an accredited educational program and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 for the entire duration of the internship / co-op.
Additionally, interns / co-ops must have valid work authorization and U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting pre-employment screenings / pre-boarding, working in their positions, and throughout the duration of their program.
All employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States and on an unrestricted basis.
The MBTA does not have an employer work sponsorship program.
However, if you have unrestricted work authorization, or are sponsored by a separate entity, you are welcome to apply.
Further, all persons hired will require a U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting the position and employees will be required to complete a Form I-9 to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the U.S.
Candidates should ensure they arrive on time, are prepared, can remain for the duration, and if remote, are in a quiet place without distraction, for the interview.
Candidates who do not attend their interview without advance authorization, including an email confirmation of a rescheduled time/date from Human Resources, will be considered a no-show and disqualified from consideration for the position.
Rescheduling, on a one-time basis, and due to something emergent, you may be allowed to reschedule the interview.
In addition, Human Resources may require documentation supporting the request.
However, should you need to reschedule, you will need to contact your Recruiter directly by email.
Employees working in this classification will be subject to periodic physical examinations plus random drug and alcohol testing.
Employees working in this classification must be available to respond to page / text / call and report to work as determined by assigned department or the Authority.
During declared "states of emergency," employees working in this classification are required to report to work for their assigned work hours or as directed by management.
The MBTA makes reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities.
If you require an accommodation during this process, please contact the MBTA's ADA Unit at 617-222-5751 or [email protected] .
The MBTA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer .

Nice To Haves

A master’s degree in Engineering, Planning, Business Administration, Architecture, or a related field from an accredited institution.
Experience in the management of large complex public transportation projects.
Experience managing Projects with MS Project 2013 or Primavera P3; resource loading within such construction schedules.
A master's degree in a related subject substitutes for two (2) years of general experience.
A nationally recognized certification, or statewide/professional certification in a related field substitutes for one year of experience.

Responsibilities

Support the Senior Director in creating, planning, organizing, managing, and overseeing capital programs related to the modernization/replacement of MBTA fixed guideway systems, facilities, including stations, support facilities, other employee facilities, bridges and tunnels.
Direct and guide staff managing the concept design process for any new or modified fixed guideway systems, station or support facility.
Direct and guide staff managing the concept design process for any major system expansion project.
Collaborate and work closely with Capital Delivery, Engineering and Maintenance, Technical Engineering and Design, Asset Management, and all other MBTA Departments, and a variety of other agencies and regulatory bodies during the development, planning, and conceptual design of capital projects and activities related to the MBTA’s fixed guideway systems, stations and support facilities.
Represent the department as the primary liaison to the MBTA’s Charlestown-based Infrastructure teams and the Stations and Structures department.
Support the Senior Director in the supervision and work assignments to staff assigned to planning projects, including management of consultants hired to support the overall program.
Monitor and manage all expenses related to Infrastructure Planning team projects and provide recommendations, insights, and reporting to the Senior Director. This includes, but is not limited to, preparing all required federal (US DOT), state, external and internal financial reporting; conducting all analyses related to program performance; participating in the development of short and long-range planning for the modernization of MBTA's fixed guideway systems, station and support facilities; maintaining multi-project budgets and reviewing cost estimates; preparing financial management reports including monthly, annual, and ad-hoc reports; performing analysis, preparing special reports and presentations for use by department managers, senior executive management, and the MBTA Board of Directors.
Collaborate with the MBTA’s internal budget, finance, and procurement departments to identify and secure the necessary funding and approvals, working through the appropriate business processes according to MBTA policies.
Lead efforts on the Infrastructure Planning team’s role on asset-based master plans and other capital prioritization efforts (i.e. Signals Master Plan).
Manage the development and submittal of Capital Investment Plan funding requests with review and approval from the Senior Director.
Explain, justify, and defend department programs, policies, and activities; negotiates and resolves sensitive and controversial issues.
Participate on a variety of boards, commissions, and committees; prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence.
Develop budgets for proposed projects, evaluate various impacts of proposed projects to determine feasibility, provide recommendations to executive management and department managers, and participate on technical committees and panels.
Support operational, real estate, and planning functions by examining and identifying deficiencies within existing systems, preparing recommendations for improvements, providing technical advice and guidance, and reviewing development projects that may impact future modernization opportunities for the MBTA.
Drive a company or personal vehicle to visit work sites and assist at emergencies and/or events as needed.
Respond or report to work as directed by supervisory personnel for emergencies, extreme weather conditions, or any other abnormal conditions that impair service or the safety of service, twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week.
Prepare, administer, monitor, and/or audit project budgets.
Uphold the rights and interests of a workforce by ensuring the fair and consistent application and strict adherence to the rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the Authority including the EEO, Anti-Discrimination, and Anti-Harassment and Anti-Retaliation policies.
Perform other related duties and projects as assigned. Additional responsibilities may include focusing on one or more departments or locations. See applicable addendum for department or location-specific functions.
Supervision Team of Deputy Directors, Managers and Project Managers.