Bus Ops: Transit Operations Chief-Transit Control Center
- Summary
The Transit Control Center (TCC) has an exciting opportunity for a Transit Control Center Chief.The Transit Control Center Chief provides immediate, daily management of the operation of Metro's Transit Control Center, supervising the work and managing the performance of First-line Supervisors who remotely monitor and direct fixed-route bus operations and initiate and coordinate responses to transit service operational events and incidents. This high-profile position is critical in coordinating with internal and external partners and making real-time decisions in support of all aspects of Metro Transit operations, assuming command and direction in the management of critical and emergency situations. It is also responsible for monitoring and ensuring system-wide an external information distribution about transit operational status, incidents, and events. Transit Control Center Chiefs have responsibility for many on-going tasks in support of TCC operations and may represent all levels of the organization on internal, external and cross-organizational initiatives, task forces and projects, either in a participatory or lead role.
This position is critical to the management and oversight of the daily operations of the TCC and the service we provide. Transit Chiefs provide policy direction, create an environment that models customer service, work collaboratively with union leaders and others within the organization, and are a resource to employees at the worksite.- Job Duties
Applying equity and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. In this role, you will apply equity and social justice principles that exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices to all aspects of the work. As the Transit Operations Chief, you will:
- Supervise and direct the work of Transit Control Center staff, exhibiting positive leadership and role modeling. Indirectly supervise all transit operating personnel when responding to or making and implementing decisions regarding transit service.
- Oversee the daily operation of the control center, assuming command and direction, both on and off the radio, during emergencies and critical situations.
- Make real-time decisions to support transit service in emergency situations, particularly adverse weather and creatively solve transit operational difficulties as they arise.
- Approve changes to service and routes, as necessary
- Schedule staff to ensure all assignments are covered and staffing levels are appropriate to the workload. Assign work schedules to relief coordinators.
- Encourage and support staff development.
- Plan and schedule coordinator training and orientation programs. Monitor and evaluate trainee progress and certify qualification upon training completion. Maintain training records.
- Handle all personnel issues of assigned staff including employee support, performance monitoring and evaluation, investigations and appropriate progressive discipline up to and including suspension and termination. Review the work of each assigned coordinator to ensure qualitative and quantitative standards are met.
- Interpret and apply King County and Metro Transit policy and procedures.
- Conduct grievance hearings and make decisions regarding resolution of grievances.
- Investigate, research or direct the research and resolution of operator/customer/employee complaints/suggestions, service reports, scheduling data, etc.
- Work with others to anticipate, identify and implement opportunities for efficiencies and business process improvements.
- Serve as a professional representative or liaison of the Transit Control Center, the Operations Section or King County Metro Transit with senior management, other public agencies, private contractors, the general public and other internal and external transit partners, customers and stakeholders.
- Assist in the preparation and administration of the Transit Control Center budget and project budgets.
- Participate on and/or lead committees, projects, and work processes, as assigned.
- Act as Supervisor of the Transit Control Center, when assigned.
- Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
Successful Transit Chiefs will be able to demonstrate and apply the following competencies (Download PDF reader)
We are looking for candidates who have:- Increasingly responsible transportation-related experience, including at least two years in a supervisory or lead capacity
- Experience working within a transit, fixed-route bus or paratransit operations control/communications center environment; performing within its control and communication functions such as call-receiving, dispatch and service/schedule/route management and other duties having a transit control/communications function OR experience working in emergency police or fire call center environment position with on-going, regular responsibility for directly supervising personnel performing such functions
- Demonstrated knowledge, experience and ability to effectively manage transit operational, in-service, real-time situations and emergencies
- Critical thinking skills, particularly as they relate to emergency management, workforce planning, and process and continuous improvement
- Experience in a lead or supervisory position relative to the Transit Chief Position
- Knowledge of King County Metro Transit's policies and procedures
- Knowledge of the 587 Labor Agreement
- Experience or knowledge of HASTUS System
- Valid State Driver's License or alternate ability to travel to locations for which public transportation is not regularly available.
- Work requires reporting for duty and directing training staff during adverse weather events and other emergencies.
- Supplemental Information
Application & Selection Process
Applicants for this position are required to submit the complete online application form and answer the following attached supplemental questions:- How do your experience and skills meet the qualifications and job responsibilities listed?
- What can you bring to this position?
- How does this position fit within your career interests?
A selection process will be used to determine the most qualified candidates. This process may include any or all of the following: a review of application and response to supplement questions, interviews, testing, record review, a review of attendance, and/or reference checks.
This recruitment may be used to create an eligibility pool for future Transit Control Center Chief vacancies. Pools may be active up to 6 months at the discretion of the hiring authority.
Work Schedule
The work schedule is 40+ hours/week and may include weekend and/ or holiday hours. There are no flex-days in this position. Transit Chiefs must have the ability to report to work in the event of adverse weather or other emergent/crisis situation, and remain on hand during the event unless otherwise directed or relieved.
This position not subject to the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act, and therefore not eligible for overtime pay if scheduled.
Union Representation
PROTEC17 : Professional and Technical Employees
Job Code
874020
For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact:
Aimee Higbee, ahigbee@kingcounty.gov
King County is an equal employment opportunity employer. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workplace and workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding values--we are one team, we solve problems, we focus on the customer, we drive for results, we are racially just, we respect all people, we lead the way, we are responsible stewards. We welcome and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.
King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage: King County pays 100% of the premiums for eligible employees and family members
- Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
- Retirement: King County employees are eligible to participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
- Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
- 10 paid holidays each year (plus 2 personal holidays)
- Generous vacation and paid sick leave
- Paid parental leave, family and medical leaves, and volunteer leave
- Flexible Spending Account
- Wellness programs
- Onsite gyms and activity centers
- Employee giving program
- Employee assistance programs
- Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
- Training and career development programs
This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails. Also, in the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, policies, rules, CBAs, or official plan documents will prevail.
NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.
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01In lieu of a letter of interest/cover letter, please answer the following questions. Have you reviewed the questions to prepare to answer them below?
- Yes
- No
02How do your experience and skills meet the qualifications and job responsibilities listed?03What can you bring to this position?04How does this position fit within your career interests?05When applying for this position, you must thoroughly complete the application and supplemental questions. Failure to do so can result in disqualification from consideration. Have you completed the process to the best of your ability?- Yes
- No
06I certify that the statements made by me on the application and supplemental questions are, to the best of my knowledge, true, complete and correct. I understand that any misrepresentation or material omission of fact on this or any other document required by King County may constitute grounds for rejection, or if employed by King County, for disciplinary measures, including dismissal.- Yes
- No
Required Question