Rail Operations Manager Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Please complete the application in its entirety. Include all previous employment so that it may be taken into consideration. Please include a resume attachment with submittal of your application. Resume should document months and years with your dates of employment. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received before the closing date and time listed.
At Regional Transportation District (RTD), We make lives better through connections!
When you join RTD, you will be among dedicated employees exhibiting RTD's values of passion, respect, diversity, trustworthiness, collaboration, and ownership. RTD is committed to an inclusive and diverse workplace. As part of our diversity value statement, we encourage our employees to honor diversity in thought, people, and experience. Come join RTD on this great journey to be the trusted leader in mobility, delivering excellence and value to our customers and community.
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.)
This position supports supports the administration, oversight, and lifecycle management of RTD's contracted commuter rail operations and maintenance services. This position is responsible for ensuring that private vendors comply with contractual performance standards, safety regulations, and budgetary requirements. The role monitors contractor performance, resolves disputes, processes invoices, enforces contract terms, and maintains comprehensive records for assigned departments.
This position assists in the development and administration of contracts, including scopes of work, independent cost estimates, schedules, and budgets. Responsibilities include coordinating with internal stakeholders, vendors, and external partners on procurements, contract audits, change orders, amendments, and payments. The Contracting Officer monitors contractor performance to ensure compliance with contractual obligations and identifies corrective actions for non-compliance, supporting continuous improvement and operational reliability.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
ESSENTIAL:
Program Oversight and Administration

• Support the planning, administration, and lifecycle management of contracted commuter rail operations and maintenance services.
• Assist in developing and maintaining departmental policies, procedures, and contract documentation.
• Ensure accurate and organized records of contract deliverables, amendments, and compliance documentation.
• Participate in committees, task forces, and working groups related to contracted services and operational activities.

Contracting and Procurement

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to prepare scopes of work, independent cost estimates, schedules, and budgets.
• Support procurement activities, including solicitations, contract modifications, and change orders.
• Maintain procurement and contract documentation in accordance with established procedures.

Performance Monitoring and Compliance

• Monitor contractor performance for adherence to contract terms, service levels, and regulatory requirements.
• Track and document performance metrics, compliance records, and service outcomes.
• Identify deficiencies, support corrective actions, and assist with continuous improvement efforts.

Financial Management

• Review and process invoices, purchase orders, and work directives for accuracy and compliance.
• Track contract expenditures and monitor spending against established budgets.
• Maintain financial records to support accountability and reporting requirements.

Stakeholder Coordination

• Coordinate with contractors, consultants, and internal teams to address issues and ensure compliance with contractual obligations.
• Maintain effective working relationships with vendors and cross-functional teams to support timely service delivery.
• Support communication, scheduling, and follow-up on deliverables and action items.

OTHER:

• All job-related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, Contract Management, or Transportation Management required, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience.
• Two (2) years of experience in contract administration, procurement, or vendor management within rail operations, transit services, or a related technical or operational environment. Experience should include direct interaction with internal stakeholders, contractors, and regulatory or compliance entities.
• Experience assisting in the administration, oversight, or management of contracts, including monitoring contractor performance, processing invoices, managing budgets, and enforcing compliance with contract terms and service level agreements.
• Experience supporting regulatory, safety, and operational compliance in transit or rail services, including coordination with internal teams and external stakeholders to meet contractual and statutory requirements.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of contract administration, procurement processes, and vendor management principles, including contract lifecycle management, compliance monitoring, and performance evaluation. Knowledge of commuter rail operations, maintenance services, and associated technical or operational requirements relevant to contracted services.
• Knowledge of applicable local, state, and federal regulations, policies, and standards affecting transit contracts, procurement, and vendor compliance (e.g., FTA, FRA, OSHA).
• Skill in monitoring contractor performance, identifying non-compliance or service deficiencies, and implementing corrective actions to enforce contract terms.
• Skill in reviewing invoices, processing payments, and reconciling contract expenditures against budgets, including identifying trends, discrepancies, or potential cost savings.
• Skill in preparing scopes of work, independent cost estimates, schedules, and budgets for contracted services.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with internal departments, including Operations, Maintenance, Finance, Procurement, Safety, and Legal, to support contract execution and resolve operational or financial issues.
• Ability to analyze contract performance data, generate reports, and make recommendations to improve efficiency, ensure compliance, and support operational goals.
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally, both orally and in writing, with internal stakeholders, contractors, and regulatory or oversight agencies.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, and manage multiple contracts, tasks, and deadlines simultaneously while maintaining attention to detail.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, financial reporting systems, and contract management software or platforms.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, demonstrate credibility, and exercise sound judgment in handling contractual, financial, and operational information.
• Experience assisting in the administration, oversight, or management of contracts, including monitoring contractor performance, processing invoices, managing budgets, and enforcing compliance with contract terms and service level agreements.
• Experience supporting regulatory, safety, and operational compliance in transit or rail services, including coordination with internal teams and external stakeholders to meet contractual and statutory requirements.

OTHER: An equivalent combination of education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those required by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodations.

• Worker is subject to varying inside temperatures.
• Work is performed inside.
• Ability to independently travel between multiple locations as required by operational needs.

CAREER MAP: Based on job performance, experience, education and position availability the next step on the career map for this position may be: Manager, Contracted Services, Commuter Rail
We are considering all applications for this position up until the position close date of 8/3/2026 at 11:59 PM. For consideration, please be sure to apply before the posting end date.
Pay Range:
$77,437.00 - $109,380.25 Annual
EEO POLICY AND ADA ACCOMMODATIONS
RTD is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. All applicants will be considered for employment regardless to the race, sex, disability status or any other characteristic protected by law and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. RTD is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, promotions, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require a reasonable accommodation, please reach out to our Employment ADA Coordinator Kris Frazier at adarequests@rtd-denver.com, or the Talent Acquisition team rtd.ta@rtd-denver.com.
To learn more or see our EEO policy, please visit our EEO page at: https://www.rtd-denver.com/open-records/reports-and-policies/eeo-policy
RTD posts a compensation range that represents a good faith estimate of what RTD anticipates paying for the position at the time of posting. Starting salary is based on the candidate's relevant and verified education, training and work experience. Applicants should submit all relevant and verifiable education, training and work experiences at the time of application.