Specialist, Transit Equity

RTD • Rock Hill, SC

4d • Onsite

About The Position

This position ensures RTD’s compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 49 CFR Part 21, Federal Transit Administration Title VI Circular 4702.1B, and applicable Colorado nondiscrimination laws. The role serves as a subject matter expert responsible for evaluating and advising on equity considerations in agency policies, programs, and service decisions, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements while advancing equitable outcomes for historically underserved communities. The Specialist conducts and contributes to complex service and fare equity analyses, manages discrimination complaint investigations, and provides strategic guidance across departments to ensure equitable outcomes for historically underserved and protected populations. The role also supports the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the Title VI Program, which includes the Language Access Plan and Public Participation Plan.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration/Policy, Economics, Environmental Studies, Planning (Urban, Regional), Psychology, Sociology, Statistics or a related field with demonstrated course work in transportation policy, civil rights, public policy and analysis required or an equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience.
• A minimum of three (3) years of experience in professional level work with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Equal Employment Opportunity, social work, or urban planning.
• A minimum of two (2) years of experience developing relationships with diverse community stakeholders.
• Working knowledge of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Federal Transit Administration requirements (49 CFR Part 21 and Circular 4702.1B), and applicable Colorado nondiscrimination laws, with the ability to interpret and apply regulatory requirements to real-world scenarios and agency decision-making.
• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to conduct quantitative and qualitative analyses using demographic, service, and survey data, and to synthesize complex information into clear, accurate, and actionable insights.
• Experience using analytical tools and datasets, including GIS, spreadsheet/database applications, and sources such as U.S. Census (ACS), LEHD, and transit data (e.g., GTFS), to evaluate patterns, trends, and equity outcomes.
• Ability to conduct objective fact-finding and evaluate information from multiple sources, applying critical thinking to assess ambiguous situations and develop well-reasoned, defensible findings and recommendations.
• Exercises sound judgment and maintains confidentiality when handling sensitive or complex issues.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly present complex information, facilitate discussions, and engage effectively in sensitive or challenging situations.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders, including community members, partner organizations, and internal staff.
• Ability to support and implement inclusive public engagement and outreach strategies that effectively reach historically underserved and linguistically diverse populations, with demonstrated cultural competency.
• Ability to work collaboratively across departments, navigate organizational dynamics, and provide constructive input to support equitable decision-making.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently and under direction, and appropriately escalate issues when needed.
• Demonstrates accountability, adaptability, and a willingness to learn in a complex and evolving environment.

Nice To Haves

• Experience conducting service or fare equity analyses in a transit or transportation setting
• Experience using GIS for demographic or service analysis OR An equivalent combination of education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Responsibilities

• Contributes to the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the Title VI Program, including supporting related policies, procedures, and plans.
• Assists in preparing required documentation and reports for executive leadership, Board of Directors, and the Federal Transit Administration.
• Supports updates to program methodologies, policies, and procedures based on regulatory changes and evolving best practices.
• Tracks and reports on key program metrics, including service monitoring and public engagement outcomes.
• Conducts service performance monitoring and equity analyses for major service changes, fare changes, and facility siting decisions in accordance with Title VI Program methodologies.
• Applies quantitative and qualitative analytical methods to evaluate potential disparate impacts and disproportionate burdens.
• Utilizes tools such as GIS, Excel, and other analytical platforms, along with datasets including ACS, LEHD, and GTFS, to assess demographic patterns, service impacts, and equity outcomes.
• Monitors agency programs, services, and policies to identify potential equity concerns and supports development of recommendations to address them.
• Completes and presents reports summarizing the analysis of quantitative and/or qualitative data and explains trends related to transit equity.
• Escalates complex or high-risk issues to senior staff and collaborates on appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Implements the Public Participation Plan and Language Access Plan, including tracking outreach effectiveness and identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Builds and maintains diverse relationships with community-based organizations, local governments, and other stakeholders to support equitable engagement and information sharing.
• Designs, coordinates, facilitates, and attends inclusive public engagement activities focused on reaching historically underserved populations.
• Supports contractors and partners conducting outreach to ensure alignment with agency equity goals.
• Assists with and conducts investigations of alleged discrimination in accordance with agency policy and federal and state requirements.
• Performs fact-finding activities, including interviews, documentation review, and evidence gathering.
• Prepares draft findings, summaries, and correspondence related to complaint investigations.
• Coordinates with senior staff, management, and Legal on complex or sensitive cases and supports implementation of resolutions as appropriate.
• Applies RTD’s Transit Equity Nondiscrimination Policy to determine findings and supports preparation of final determinations.
• Develops and delivers training and educational materials related to Title VI, nondiscrimination, and language access requirements for employees, managers, and contractors.
• Provides subject matter input and support to internal departments, including Service Development, Planning, Operations, Customer Care, and Legal, to help incorporate equity considerations into decision-making processes.
• Collaborates across business units to identify and address equity-related issues in agency policies, procedures, and practices.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• RTD Employee Benefits: https://www.rtd-denver.com/careers/benefits (RTD Represented Employee Benefits: Please refer to the Labor Agreement included in the above link for details.)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level