Transit Director Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Job Description:

We are seeking a highly accomplished transit professional with an excellent track report of managing complex transit operations, preferably in a public, university, and/or hospital setting, with an outstanding customer service record.  Excellent communications and presentation skills are critical for this role.

Director of Transit for Transportation Department oversees a large and multi-functional department through subordinate managers. Oversees the strategic planning process in compliance with organizational objectives and external requirements. Establishes and ensures implementation of policies and procedures in support of departmental goals and objectives relating to transit services, fleet management, and compliance & safety. May act as the Executive Director in his/her absence or as needed.

UCSF's Transportation Department's Transit Division manages the operations of 12 shuttle routes within San Francisco.  Transit is also expanding to BCH - Oakland in July, which will include an additional three routes around Oakland plus a connector to San Francisco. The entire transit system transports roughly 5k staff, faculty, patients, and visitors daily. 

We are looking for a Director of Transit who posses a high level of technical knowledge and experience with transit operations.  This includes experience with modern transit technology, knowledge of public transit operations, daily KPI monitoring (uptime status, ontime status, traffic implications, incident reporting and resolution, call-outs).

Some key projects that the Director of Transit will be involved with:

• Transit Division - oversees transit managers with a frontline staff of 80+ drivers
• Developing and/or in-sourcing new transit routes as required by the changing demands of the University
• In coordination with the Director of Parking and Assistant Director of Administration, the integration of our transit and parking management system, and integration of dispatch operations
• Closely working with the Assets Manager to maintain UCSF Vehicle Fleet
• Closely working with Safety and Compliance team for all incident reports, employee onboarding and training, compliance with CHP, and any transit-related audits

Department Overview 

Transit Services is a core function of UCSF Transportation, providing critical connectivity across campuses and to regional transit systems. The program operates high-frequency shuttle services supporting clinical operations, academic activities, and daily commuting needs.

The operation includes a large and diverse unionized workforce, an extensive fleet (including electric vehicles), and service delivery across multiple campuses and routes. Transit plays a key role in supporting access, reducing single-occupancy vehicle use, and enhancing the overall campus experience.

The Director of Transit is responsible for ensuring operational reliability, safety, and customer satisfaction while managing the complexity of a growing and evolving transit system. This includes adapting to new technologies, regulatory requirements, and service expectations.

UCSF Department of Transportation manages transit and parking services for the UCSF students, faculty, patients, visitors and employees. Transit operations include 13 fixed routes and on-demand services supporting nearly 2.5 million annual riders. Parking operations include over 25 parking garages and lots across the City, with over 7,500 spaces. Parking team also manages an extensive permit program, parking enforcement, citation adjudication and other parking related services. The Department promotes clean and sustainable transportation modes that include walking, bicycling, carpool/vanpool, car-sharing program, electric scooter sharing program, etc. The Department has over 190 positions with an annual operating budget of over $45 million

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in business, planning, economics, or related area and/or equivalent experience / training
• 10+ years relevant progressive experience
• A minimum of 5 years of direct experience in transit route planning, driver scheduling and bidding, en-route shuttle monitoring systems and real-time GPS tracking systems
• A minimum of 10 years of planning & operational experience managing a comparable transit program, which includes an emphasis on driver and passenger safety
• In-depth knowledge of shuttle operations and fleet management operations as well as related policy, and regulatory compliance requirements from governmental agencies
• Advanced knowledge of transportation industry best practices and transportation technologies such as electric vehicles and/or fleet management applications to ensure most efficient and effective use of resources and sustainability efforts
• Advanced skills in building and managing a team and operating a large and complex department
• Strategic leadership and interpersonal skills to work effectively, across all organizational levels, internally and externally
• Advanced ability to carry out complex business plans subject to multi-stakeholder perspectives
• Strategic negotiation skills
• Innovative thinking skills, and creative problem solving in a varied and challenging environment
• Proficiency in the use of business computer applications
• Committed to delivering high-quality customer service
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training
• Class B License or the ability to acquire the license within six months of hire date
• Parking operations, transportation policies, commute alternatives, carpool/vanpool programs, transportation funding, etc.

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In capacity as the Director, provides expert technical advice in all operational areas of Shuttle Services, Fleet Management and Compliance & Safety; provides leadership guidance to the Executive Director and other members of the Transportation Leadership Team.  Supports projects in other areas that include parking and Transportation Demand Management.  Acts on behalf of the Executive Director, such as by leading or representing the department at stakeholder meetings that impact decisions about policies, investments, pricing and service offerings of Transportation Services. 

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