Director of Transportation

City of San Diego

10d•Onsite

About The Position

The Transportation Department Director is responsible for ensuring that the Department mission is implemented across all aspects of operations – from long term strategic planning to daily operations and field activities. This role within the City of San Diego is critical to ensuring essential City functions perform efficiently and includes oversight of the most highly visible City infrastructure and customer services for our residents. The Director is responsible for: efficient use of budgeted funds, personnel, facilities, and resources; standardizing procedures to improve operating efficiencies; addressing personnel matters including hiring, onboarding, and retention for the Department staff; and ensuring the Department meets or exceeds all performance metrics and customer service standards. There is one current vacancy for a Director. The current position is on-site, primarily based out of the City facility located at 2781 Caminito Chollas (with regular meetings on-site at 8525 and 8575 Gibbs Drive and Downtown/San Diego City Hall). Interviews for selected shortlisted candidates will be held the week of January 12. The Department is comprised of approximately 550 employees and the equivalent operating budget for these staff. Department employees are diverse in their backgrounds and functions including staff that perform field operations, engineers/planners, and administrative or fiscal staff. The Director will need to possess the ability to manage all aspects of the operations and implement effective and innovative solutions and cost efficiencies to successfully run the Department. The Director will directly oversee two Divisions within the Department: Business Operations and Fiscal, Administrative, and Information Technology; the Assistant Director will oversee three Divisions: Street; Right of Way Management; and Engineering, Asset Management & Parking.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Construction, Business Administration, Public Administration or a related field, and
A minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible supervisory and(or) professional management experience in engineering, operations, or management that demonstrates the ability to work in a dynamic environment with a large and diverse workforce. However, any combination of education, experience, and training may demonstrate these qualifications.

Nice To Haves

This role requires a candidate that has strong leadership, excellent communication skills, is well organized, and has a high level of accountability and urgency. These personal characteristics are of utmost importance rather than a specific background in transportation infrastructure and systems, which is desirable but not required.
General knowledge of right of way infrastructure repair and maintenance activities or other related construction activities for a variety of assets: roads, sidewalks, traffic signals, streetlights, trees, and related infrastructure.
Experience overseeing large capital projects or large operations and maintenance programs with the ability to successfully manage large employee populations (100+), substantial capital or operating budgets ($100M+), and high-profile and visible programs.
Knowledge regarding City, State, and Federal standards, laws, and regulations.
Interest in municipal services and how they impact the community.
Experience managing diverse operations with a high-volume of customer requests or competing priorities.
Motivated by delivering exceptional internal and external customer service.
Operates with an employee-first approach to ensure employees are valued, respected, and resourced.
Strong interpersonal skills with experience and a desire to build and grow high performing teams.
Experience and a desire to partner with other entities to ensure common goals are achieved (including other agencies, Departments, contractors/vendors, Council Offices, Represented Employee Organizations, etc.).
Ability to establish clear goals, expectations, and priorities for teams and successfully monitor and manage to completion.
A high level of accountability to ensure both day-to-day tasks are achieved and high level initiatives are completed, even in the face of competing priorities.
Strong quantitative analytical abilities with an ability to develop practical solutions with the resources available.
Ability to comprehend technical details and understand how they relate to and impact the “big picture.”
Ability to communicate complex and technical information in a simple, clear, and straightforward manner (including the use of completing graphics), and across various audiences, including elected officials, City management, and members of the public.
Overall excellent writing and communication skills.
A desire to solve problems and integrate process improvements, and an ability to work in a resource-constrained environment with a “can do” attitude.
Energetic and motivated with the ability and desire to take initiative.
Ability to work both independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment with tight time constraints.
A desire to innovate and improve processes and operations.
Understanding for how to handle sensitive and confidential information.
Highly ethical and objective, with the ability to navigate in a political environment without being political.

Responsibilities

Direct oversight for two of the Transportation Department’s Divisions (Business Operations and Fiscal, Administrative, and Information Technology), in close partnership with the Assistant Director who will oversee three Department Divisions (Street, Right of Way Management, and Engineering, Asset Management, & Parking).
Development and implementation of goals and performance standards, objectives, and policies for the Department.
Ensuring proper controls and processes are in place to promote and encourage consistent and quality work, plus regular assessment to ensure effectiveness and continuous improvement.
Monitoring and reporting on key performance indicators and active assessment of resource, funding, or process improvement needs. Plus, championing and leading continuous improvement efforts across all service areas.
Partnering with other City departments, agencies, contractors, and service providers to ensure common objectives are achieved and relationships are strengthened.
Strategic planning and implementation for programs and initiatives to ensure compliance with grants or other funding sources, audits, and City milestones.
Ensuring strong customer service across the Department and managing Council Office inquiries and public requests for the relevant Department work.
Benchmarking performance to comparable agencies/municipalities and championing innovative solutions to field operations and capital delivery.
Representing the Department in meetings with elected officials, agencies, and community groups.
Strategic development and compelling delivery of presentations to executive management for high priority initiatives and resource needs and budget requests.

Benefits

Defined retirement plan, including pension reciprocity, dependent on an employee’s eligibility status (new hire, rehire, etc.).
A wide variety of cafeteria-style health and wellness plans or in-lieu cash waiver.
11 paid City holidays per calendar year and 1 floating holiday per fiscal year.
Approximately 176 hours of paid annual leave for an employee’s first 15 years of service, and approximately 216 hours for 16+ years of service.
Up to 24 hours of paid discretionary leave per fiscal year.
Up to 320 hours of paid Parental Leave per childbirth or placement of a child.
Up to 40 hours of paid Bereavement Leave per fiscal year.
Tuition reimbursement up to $2,000 per fiscal year, and complimentary LinkedIn Learning professional development opportunities.
Free transit pass (including MTS Trolley, MTS Bus, and all Rapid and Rapid Express bus services).
Access to premier City golf courses at a discounted rate.
Reduced-rate fitness center memberships.
City-paid life insurance.