Transit Planner Jobs in Madison, WI (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 is responsible for supporting RTD's operational maintenance programs by planning, scheduling, analyzing, and reporting activities related to preventive and corrective maintenance of rolling stock, communications systems, wayside infrastructure, and station equipment. This position ensures safe, reliable, and cost-effective transit operations across bus, rail, and paratransit services through effective coordination of maintenance schedules and resource allocation.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Operational Coordination

• Assist in planning, scheduling, and coordinating preventive and corrective maintenance for RTD's rolling stock, including bus, rail, and paratransit revenue and non-revenue vehicles, as well as communications, wayside, and station equipment.

• Under general supervision, determine which vehicles and components are due for maintenance or replacement, develop and distribute preventive maintenance schedules, and assign vehicles to appropriate shops for service.

• Prepare and issue monthly and weekly work plans showing vehicle status, schedule changes, and hold requirements. Identify and resolve conflicts in track, shop, or maintenance schedules.
• 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.

• 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.

• Prepare work packages for maintenance directives, project controls, and component evaluations for transit vehicles, automatic fare collection equipment, and destination sign systems.

• Support the administration and operation of dedicated maintenance planning and scheduling systems, ensuring accurate tracking and reporting of labor hours, component status, and preventive maintenance compliance.

• Collaborate with maintenance supervisors, Operations, Service Planning, and other departments to address vehicle or equipment issues, coordinate scheduling, and ensure timely service completion.

Reporting and Analysis

• Monitor, evaluate, and report on maintenance activities, vehicle reliability, repeater cars, failure trends, and related performance data. Update maintenance planning and control display boards.

• Review, verify, and correct data related to component replacement, preventive maintenance, and modification schedules. Establish and maintain records and files for maintenance processes and activities.

• Assist in the analysis of maintenance performance data, identify trends and opportunities for efficiency improvements, and recommend solutions to enhance reliability and reduce costs.

• Support the preparation of reports, analyses, and presentations for internal briefings, external stakeholders, and Board meetings related to maintenance scheduling and operational performance.

Cross Functional Collaboration

• Build and maintain effective working relationships across departments, maintenance teams, and external partners to support planning, coordination, and operational readiness of the fleet.
• Participate in committees, task forces, and working groups focused on maintenance planning, operational efficiency, and fleet performance as assigned.

OTHER:

All job-related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required

• College or technical school coursework in Transportation, Mechanical Engineering, or Automotive Technology.
• Minimum of three (3) years of technical experience related to the planning, scheduling, and implementation of preventive and corrective maintenance for transit vehicles, wayside, communications, or station equipment. Experience should include collecting, analyzing, and reporting maintenance or operational data.
• Experience supporting maintenance operations.
• Experience with regulatory compliance in the context of FRA, FTA, APTA, EPA, and OSHA or similar safety and operational standards for transit vehicle maintenance.

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree in Transportation, Mechanical Engineering, or Automotive Technology.
• Master's degree preferred

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES:

• Strong knowledge of public transit operations and maintenance practices for rolling stock, communications, wayside, and station equipment, including diesel, gas, hybrid, and battery-electric/zero-emission vehicles.

• Knowledge of preventive and corrective maintenance programs, performance-based maintenance management, and operational planning within a public-sector transit environment.

• Knowledge of applicable local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and requirements governing transit vehicle and infrastructure maintenance, including FTA, OSHA, EPA, and related safety and compliance standards.

• Knowledge of maintenance planning principles, scheduling, resource allocation, and operational performance measurement for rolling stock, communications, wayside, and station systems.

• Knowledge of budget monitoring, cost tracking, and fiscal oversight related to maintenance labor, parts procurement, and departmental operations.

• Ability to support staff performing maintenance and planning tasks, ensure compliance with procedures, and assist in monitoring operational metrics and performance effectiveness across multiple asset types.

• Ability to analyze maintenance and operational data, identify trends and risks, and recommend process improvements, efficiency enhancements, and cost-saving measures under guidance from the Manager.

• Strong leadership and coaching skills with the ability to support staff development and ensure equitable treatment within a multidisciplinary maintenance team.

• Proven ability to collaborate effectively across departments, including Operations, Safety & Security, Finance, and Procurement, to resolve maintenance issues, coordinate projects, and align with agency goals.

• Ability to assist in developing, implementing, and enforcing policies, procedures, and work instructions for rolling stock, communications, wayside, and station maintenance, as well as departmental operations and regulatory compliance.

• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with executive leadership, internal stakeholders, maintenance staff, and external partners.

• Ability to use sound judgment and make timely, well-reasoned decisions within assigned responsibilities in a high-accountability maintenance environment.

• Ability to manage time and workload effectively, including planning, organizing, and prioritizing multiple projects across various maintenance programs with attention to detail.

• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and other business systems used for maintenance reporting, scheduling, performance tracking, and fleet management.

• Ability to manage confidential information with discretion and professionalism.

• Ability to coach and influence staff, demonstrating courage, approachability, credibility, and inspiring confidence under the direction of the Manager.

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 and/or outside temperatures, which may include extreme heat (temperatures above 100 degrees) or extreme cold (temperatures below 32 degrees).
• Work is performed both inside and outside. Subject to weather.
• 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, Rolling Stock Maintenance

We are considering all applications for this position up until the position close date of 8/26/2026 at 11:59PM. For consideration, please be sure to apply before the posting end date.

Pay Range:

$65,177.00 - $92,062.25 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.