Deputy Chief Operating Officer - Transportation

This position is open until filled - initial review to begin September 5, 2025.

We are the Metropolitan Council, the regional government for the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. We plan 30 years ahead for the future of the metropolitan area and provide regional transportation, wastewater, and housing services. More information about us on our website.

We are committed to supporting a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

Metro Transit is one of the country's largest transit systems, employs more than 3,400 people, and provides ridership through an integrated network of buses, light rail and commuter trains, as well as a resource for those who carpool, vanpool, walk or bike in the Twin Cities.

How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities region:

You will provide executive-level leadership to Metro Transit's Transportation divisions within Operations including more than 1,800 Bus and Light Rail staff. You will report to the Deputy General Manager - Chief Operating Officer and maintain a close partnership with the Deputy Chief Operating Officer - Maintenance to lead staff.

• Promotes a positive workplace culture for employees in all roles.

• Proactively seeks and evaluates employee feedback to improve their ability to successfully complete their job responsibilities.

• Routinely uses Metro Transit bus and light rail services to understand the customer and front-line employee experience and to better inform decision-making.

• Participates and represents Metro Transit on industry working groups, standards committees and professional development activities.

Any of the following combinations of experience and education completed in the field of Business Administration, Public Administration, Transportation, Engineering or a related field are acceptable. Experience must include progressively responsible operations management experience in a large organization providing services to the public.

• High School diploma and fourteen (14) years experience, including four (4) of those years in the transit/transportation industry and five (5) years of senior management experience leading multiple units, teams or department.
• Associates Degree and twelve (12) years of experience, including four (4) of those years in the transit/transportation industry and five (5) years of senior management experience leading multiple units, teams or department.
• Bachelor's degree and ten (10) years of experience, including four (4) of those years in the transit/transportation industry and five (5) years of senior management experience leading multiple units, teams or department.

• Has demonstrated the ability to effectively oversee a large scope of bus and/or rail program management and administrative functions.
• Has demonstrated human relations experience in dealing with organized labor and non-represented employees.
• Has proven success at interpersonal communications and relations, including the ability to work effectively with elected officials and members of the media.

• Experience improving the recruitment, retention, development and support of a diverse workforce.
• Experience effectively leading large initiatives within an organization.

What knowledge, skills and abilities you should have within the first six months on the job:

• Knowledge of Bus and Rail operations/service delivery best practices.
• Experience overseeing bus and light rail service activities including service performance management, training, critical incident management and employee management.
• Knowledge of working knowledge of labor agreements and contract negotiations. Knowledge of development of strategic recommendations and priorities.
• Knowledge of transit-specific industry & workplace customs, norms, working conditions.
• Skilled in both written and verbal communications.
• Skilled in coaching and mentoring others.
• Skilled in problem solving, especially the ability to develop creative solutions.
• Skilled in analytical skills, especially with technical issues in the operations areas.
• Skilled in Emergency Management/Continuity of Operations disciplines.
• Ability to lead others in the organization.
• Ability to delegate effectively.
• Ability to communicate clearly to audiences of all sizes including media.
• Ability to build consensus and negotiate to the desired outcome.
• Ability advocate and champion diversity, equity and inclusion.

• We offer the opportunity to make a difference and positively influence the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
• We encourage our employees to develop their skills through on-site training and tuition reimbursement.
• We provide a competitive salary, excellent benefits and a good work/life balance.
• Career advancement opportunities.
• Relocation assistance reimbursement, as provided in Metropolitan Council Policy.

More about why you should join us!

Union/Grade: Non-Represented - Unclassified / Pay Grade E-1

FLSA Status: Exempt

Safety Sensitive: No

Work Environment:

Work is performed in a standard office setting. Requires travel between primary work site to other sites.

What steps the recruitment process involves:
1. We review your minimum qualifications.
2. We rate your education and experience.
3. We conduct a structured panel interview via Microsoft Teams.
4. We conduct an on-site selection interview.

Once you have successfully completed the steps above, then:

If you are new to the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a background check, which verifies education and employment, covers driving record and any criminal record. If you have a criminal conviction, you do not automatically fail. The Metropolitan Council considers felony, gross misdemeanor and misdemeanor convictions on a case-by-case basis, based on whether they are related to the job and whether the candidate has demonstrated adequate rehabilitation.

If you are already an employee of the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a background check which verifies education and employment if not verified previously. If the job you're applying for is safety-sensitive, is a supervisory or management job, is in the Finance, Information Services, Audit, or Human Resources departments, or has access to financial records, files/databases, cash, vouchers or transit fare cards, you must pass a pass a criminal background check. If you have a criminal conviction, you do not automatically fail. The Metropolitan Council considers felony, gross misdemeanor, and misdemeanor convictions on a case-by-case basis, based on whether they are related to the job and whether the candidate has demonstrated adequate rehabilitation.

IMPORTANT: If you make a false statement or withhold information, you may be barred from job consideration.

The Metropolitan Council is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and veteran-friendly employer. The Council is committed to a workforce that reflects the diversity of the region and strongly encourages persons of color, members of the LGBTQ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply.

If you have a disability that requires an accommodation during the selection process, please email HR-OCCHealth@metc.state.mn.us.