Supervisor, Rolling Stock Maintenance (Bus)

RTD • Denver, CO

1d • $84,407 - $119,224 • Onsite

About The Position

This position provides operational leadership and direct supervisory oversight for RTD’s bus fleet, including diesel, gas, hybrid, and battery-electric/zero-emission revenue and non-revenue vehicles. This position is responsible for overseeing vehicle and equipment maintenance activities, supporting safe, reliable, and cost-effective fleet operations, and providing daily supervision, guidance, and direction to maintenance personnel.

The role coordinates and supervises the work of assigned staff performing bus vehicle maintenance and repair functions, including managing shift assignments, conducting performance evaluations, providing coaching and corrective guidance, and resolving routine and moderately complex operational issues. The Supervisor serves as a key operational leader within the department, ensuring adherence to labor agreements, internal policies, safety standards, and applicable federal, state, and local regulations. This includes reviewing maintenance reports, monitoring performance data, supporting maintenance scheduling, and implementing corrective actions to maintain fleet reliability and safety.

This position monitors departmental resources and supports budget and operational controls by tracking expenditures, managing overtime within established guidelines, and promoting efficient maintenance practices. The Supervisor oversees maintenance campaigns, coordinates repair and modification programs, supports parts procurement and staging, and ensures maintenance activities comply with established procedures and documentation standards.

The Supervisor collects, analyzes, and reports operational and performance data, monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate fleet effectiveness, identify trends, and implement improvements that enhance maintenance efficiency and cost control. The position remains informed on industry best practices, evolving vehicle technologies, and regulatory requirements to support continuous improvement in fleet maintenance and reliability.

This position collaborates with internal departments, external partners, and vendors to resolve maintenance challenges, coordinate fleet initiatives, and ensure the availability and readiness of vehicles for service. Success in this role requires strong supervisory leadership, sound technical knowledge of bus maintenance practices, and the ability to guide maintenance teams in a dynamic environment while ensuring fleet safety, compliance, and operational performance.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required. Technical or vocational training in diesel technology, automotive technology, heavy equipment maintenance, electrical systems, or a related field is desirable.
• Minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in bus, heavy vehicle, or fleet maintenance operations. Experience must include working directly with maintenance staff, coordinating repair activities, and supporting safe and reliable vehicle operations.
• Experience supporting or performing inspection, maintenance, and repair of transit bus fleets, including diesel, gas, hybrid, and battery-electric/zero-emission vehicles. Experience should include preventive maintenance, troubleshooting mechanical and electrical systems, diagnosing vehicle faults, coordinating repairs, and ensuring vehicles meet operational readiness standards.
• Knowledge of applicable local, state, and federal safety and operational standards governing transit fleet maintenance, including FTA, APTA, OSHA, environmental, and workplace safety regulations as they relate to heavy vehicle maintenance and shop operations.
• Ability to supervise, train, and provide guidance to maintenance personnel, including assigning work, monitoring performance, and ensuring compliance with safety procedures, maintenance standards, and departmental policies in a dynamic transit maintenance environment.
• Must have a valid Colorado driver's license or the ability to obtain one within 90 days of hire. No DUI, DWI, or Reckless Driving violations in the past 5 years.
• This job requires regular and predictable attendance.
• Working knowledge of public transit operations and bus fleet/rolling stock maintenance, including diesel, gas, hybrid, and battery-electric/zero-emission revenue and non-revenue vehicles.
• Knowledge of vehicle and equipment maintenance practices, including preventive and corrective maintenance programs, diagnostics, and reliability-centered maintenance principles within a public-sector transit environment.
• Knowledge of applicable local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and requirements governing transit vehicle maintenance, including FTA, OSHA, EPA, and related safety and environmental compliance standards.
• Knowledge of fleet maintenance planning principles, including work scheduling, labor and resource allocation, maintenance tracking systems, and performance measurement methods.
• Familiarity with budget monitoring, cost tracking, and fiscal oversight related to maintenance labor, parts procurement, materials management, and departmental operations.
• Ability to supervise and support staff performing maintenance tasks, assign and monitor work activities, and ensure compliance with maintenance procedures, safety protocols, and operational standards.
• Ability to analyze maintenance and operational data, identify trends, risks, and recurring equipment issues, and recommend process improvements, efficiency enhancements, and cost-saving measures under the guidance of the Manager.
• Strong leadership and coaching skills, with the ability to guide staff development, reinforce safety culture, and ensure equitable and professional treatment of employees.
• Skill in collaborating with internal departments, including Operations, Safety & Security, Finance, Procurement, and Engineering, to resolve maintenance issues, coordinate projects, and support agency-wide initiatives.
• Ability to assist in developing, implementing, and enforcing policies, procedures, and work instructions related to rolling stock maintenance, departmental operations, and regulatory compliance.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, with the ability to convey technical and operational information clearly to leadership, maintenance personnel, and internal stakeholders.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and make timely, well-reasoned decisions within assigned responsibilities in a high-accountability maintenance environment.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, including the ability to plan, organize, and prioritize multiple maintenance activities, projects, and operational demands.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and maintenance management or fleet management systems used for reporting, performance tracking, and operational analysis.
• Ability to manage confidential and sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.
• Skill in coaching and influencing staff, demonstrating professionalism, approachability, credibility, and confidence while supporting departmental leadership and operational objectives.
• An equivalent combination of education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities.

Nice To Haves

• Technical or vocational training in diesel technology, automotive technology, heavy equipment maintenance, electrical systems, or a related field is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Participate in the hiring, onboarding, and personnel actions involving direct reports. Provide ongoing supervision of work unit performance, including assigning work, setting expectations, and ensuring staff have the tools, training, and resources needed to perform effectively. Take or recommend corrective and disciplinary action as appropriate. Promote professional development, accountability, and equitable treatment across the workforce.
• Plan, direct, and coordinate RTD’s rolling stock maintenance function, including maintenance and repair of bus fleets (diesel, gas, hybrid, and battery electric/zero-emission revenue and non-revenue vehicles). Ensure vehicle readiness, safety, reliability, and performance meet operational standards and service requirements.
• Serve as the primary supervisory authority for staff performing bus vehicle and equipment maintenance. Assign and delegate shift work, monitor productivity and work quality, and ensure effective execution of all maintenance activities across assigned areas.
• Oversee vehicle and equipment maintenance programs, including preventive and corrective maintenance, repair campaigns, and staging of critical resources (parts, tools, and equipment). Direct troubleshooting efforts and ensure timely resolution of mechanical and system issues.
• Develop, implement, and maintain departmental policies, procedures, and maintenance documentation, ensuring accurate records of inspections, repairs, safety compliance, and maintenance activities.
• Develop, monitor, and manage the departmental budget, including oversight of expenditures, overtime control, staffing levels, and cost-effective resource allocation in alignment with service demands and operational priorities.
• Administer labor agreements and resolve workplace issues in coordination with management, ensuring consistent application of contract provisions and department policies.
• Support the development of vehicle specifications for new bus procurements, including revenue and non-revenue vehicles and support equipment, ensuring maintainability, safety, and operational performance requirements are incorporated.
• Collect, validate, analyze, and report maintenance performance metrics and operational data. Use data to evaluate fleet reliability, vehicle availability, safety performance, and cost efficiency, and implement corrective or improvement actions as needed.
• Collaborate with internal departments including Operations, Safety, Service Planning, Finance, and Procurement to resolve maintenance issues, improve vehicle availability, and ensure alignment with agency operational goals.
• Lead committees, task forces, and working groups related to fleet maintenance, vehicle safety, performance improvement, and operational efficiency, ensuring accountability for outcomes and follow-through on recommendations.
• Direct investigation, response, and resolution of vehicle or equipment failures and maintenance-related service disruptions, ensuring timely corrective action and minimizing operational impact.
• Represent RTD at industry, inter agency, and stakeholder meetings related to fleet maintenance and vehicle operations, ensuring consistent communication, transparency, and accountability.
• Support implementation of strategic initiatives aligned with RTD priorities, including safety, reliability, financial stewardship, and system sustainability.
• Lead special projects and operational initiatives, including risk assessments related to fleet maintenance, ensuring successful execution and alignment with operational objectives.
• Direct training, outreach activities, and forums for maintenance staff and stakeholders to support skill development, safety awareness, and operational consistency.
• Prepare and review technical analyses, reports, and presentations for internal leadership, external stakeholders, and governing bodies related to fleet maintenance operations.
• Establish and maintain strong working relationships across departments and promote cross-functional collaboration to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient bus maintenance operations.
• This position is designated as a Disaster Response Worker, which may require night and weekend work during natural disasters and other emergencies (e.g., activation of 24-hour Emergency Operations Center staffing). Regular office hours and work schedules may vary and include weekdays, weekends, and hours outside of 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Becoming a maintenance technician is one of the best ways for management employees to gain first hand experience of RTD's transit operations. You may be required to obtain or maintain certification/qualification as a maintenance technician.
• The position may be required to work in any of the following bus, commuter, light rail, and paratransit functions within operations and maintenance depending on business needs and/or career growth and development: Regional Operations Center, Operations, Maintenance, and Service Planning & Scheduling.
• All 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: Manager
• Education Level: High school or GED