Operations Analyst Principal

OCTA•Orange, CA

21h•$101,275 - $139,339•Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision, the Operations Analyst Principal provides high-level technical, administrative, financial, and operational oversight for OCTA’s Rail Transportation Services. This role leads contract administration, regulatory reporting, performance analytics, and business process improvement initiatives that ensure safe, efficient, and compliant rail operations. Serving as a technical lead and mentor, this position frequently resolves complex operational challenges and represents Rail Transportation Services to internal and external stakeholders.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience
Minimum of seven years of professional administrative or analytical experience in transit project or program analysis
Strong experience in contract administration and regulatory reporting
Expertise in performance analytics, database management, and dashboard development
Demonstrated ability to resolve complex operational challenges
Experience with federal and state transit reporting requirements (e.g., NTD)
Strong analytical, organizational, and strategic thinking skills
Excellent written and verbal communication abilities

Responsibilities

Lead contract administration and oversight for purchased rail transportation services and third-party agreements
Participate in competitive procurements and administer resulting contracts, including invoice verification and quality assurance
Serve as technical lead for rail operations analytics and contract strategy
Develop and maintain electronic reporting databases, dashboards, and diagnostic tools to improve contractor performance
Design and implement business process improvements across rail operations
Manage National Transit Database (NTD) reporting and monitor national transit trends
Compile and analyze data related to budgets, operational performance, and regulatory compliance
Support annual budget development through cost projections, expenditure tracking, and financial analysis
Prepare scopes of work, staff reports, technical memoranda, and presentations
Coordinate analytical reporting related to service operations, compliance, and project development
Mentor team members and represent Rail Transportation Services to third parties