Director of Bus Operations

DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit)•Garland, TX

19h•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Bus Transportation must be able to lead a high-performance transit delivery team consisting of operators, Station Office Supervisors, Coordinator, Managers, Assistant managers, maintenance supervisors and other staff to support the goal of providing a safe and reliable transit service. This role requires proven leadership skills, a passion for public transportation, the ability to communicate and promote a customer-centric philosophy, and the capacity to be collaborative and engage staff at all levels while maintaining positive interaction with the union. The Director ensures services are provided within budget by developing and implementing action plans to improve operational efficiencies. They implement, analyze, and modify division processes and procedures to assure accuracy and efficiency in alignment with department goals and objectives, and assist in the development of short-, mid-, and long-range strategies to achieve departmental goals. The Director is responsible for oversight and quality assurance in the day-to-day operations of a diverse workforce consisting of 400+ employees.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Business Administration, Transportation or related field.
Minimum of Five (5) years of progressive leadership experience in transit operations, transportation management, or related fields, including supervisory and managerial experience at the operational or executive level.
Pass a physical (medical) examination that includes a drug screen in order to operate DART non-revenue vehicles.
Knowledge of principles and practices associated with transit operations, service delivery standards, SOPs, and transportation industry practices.
Proficiency on PC and knowledgeable of software applications, Microsoft Office applications of Word and Excel or other related software applications.
Ability to be dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers; acts with customers in mind; establishes and maintains effective.
Skilled in interpersonal and leadership skills to analyze and resolve complex management challenges.
Measures performance against goals.
Evaluates results.
Ability to read a situation quickly.
Good at focused listening.
Can effectively negotiate difficult agreements and settle disputes equitably.
Can find common ground and get cooperation with minimum noise.
Strong ability to analyze, plan, and evaluate operational programs and projects.
Demonstrated excellence in leadership, communication, team building, and influencing diverse work groups.
Ability to manage within a budget, forecasting and implementation cost saving measures by increasing efficiencies while providing excellent results on performance of the service.
Knowledge of all relevant federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations including, Federal random drug testing requirements, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), EEO and Affirmative Action, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Knowledge and expertise in progressive management practices within large organizations including, planning, leadership and labor/management relations.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, DART management, and board members.
Ability to work effectively in a unionized environment including, understanding of labor relations issues, Hourly and salaried employee manual interpretation, and grievance procedures.
Skilled in understanding and use of technology including, personal computer, software programs, and data management.
Ability to communicate effectively both in writing and verbally; facilitate group meetings and present information clearly.

Responsibilities

Provides leadership for all day-to-day Bus Operations activities, ensuring reliable, on-time, and safe service delivery across divisions.
Develops annual divisional objectives, operational strategies, and performance measures in alignment with Agency goals.
Directs the development, implementation, and enforcement of operating procedures, SOPs, and service delivery standards.
Leads division-wide initiatives to increase operational efficiency, improve customer satisfaction, and optimize resource deployment.
Oversees Managers, Station Office Supervisors, and other operations leaders through coaching, development, performance evaluation, and accountability systems.
Develops, administers, and monitors the multi-million-dollar operating budget for Bus Operations.
Monitors operating costs, payroll validation, overtime, absenteeism, and service quality indicators; directs corrective actions for cost containment and performance optimization.
Ensures procurement, equipment, staffing, and operational resources are used effectively and economically.
Serves as leader in labor-management relations within Bus Operations.
Conducts and presides over grievance hearings (1st–2nd step) and supports arbitration preparation as needed.
Investigates and responds to grievances; ensures compliance with Agency policy, and just cause standards.
Maintains open, collaborative relationships with union leadership, fostering a positive labor environment while upholding management rights.
Develops performance standards, KPIs, and accountability systems for Operators, Managers, Supervisors, and operational teams.
Reviews and evaluates organizational productivity, service reliability, safety metrics, and budget adherence.
Ensures continuous monitoring of service performance, including OTP, customer complaints, road calls, collisions, and operator performance.
Establishes corrective action plans, performance improvement measures, and continuous improvement strategies.
Ensures compliance with all safety regulations, including FTA and Agency SMS requirements.
Promotes and reinforces division-wide training, safety programs, quality assurance initiatives, and customer service standards.
Leads the development of contingency and emergency response plans for unexpected events, service disruptions, and community impacts.
Ensures a harassment-free, discrimination-free, and equitable workplace.
Serves as the liaison between Bus Operations, Maintenance, Training, Safety, Communications/Bus Control, HR, and other Agency departments.
Coordinates with public officials, community partners, and Agency leadership on service delivery issues and customer complaints.
Oversees the Service Advisory Team and promotes transparent communication across all levels of the division.
Leads long-range workforce planning, succession planning, and operator pipeline development initiatives.
Ensures the coaching, training, and skill development of all Managers, Supervisors, and frontline staff.
Supports agencywide apprenticeship, mentorship, and operator development programs.
Performs other related duties as assigned.