Manager of Transit

The City of Spruce Grove is a fast growing, dynamic city committed to building and maintaining a fiscally responsible community that serves our residents, attracts visitors, and promotes future growth.

The “Values, We Live By” are accountability, communication, leadership, integrity, and respect while we work towards maintaining a work/play balance.

We are an organization that cares, an organization that is committed to our city and committed to you. The City of Spruce Grove is committed to public service, where everyone feels empowered to contribute their best work. We believe that by working together in a spirit of collaboration and respect, we can achieve great things.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

This position is responsible for directing and managing the City's transit service as well as developing and maintaining regional collaboration. The incumbent is responsible for overall transit operations and for negotiating and maintaining partnership agreements with external agencies, businesses and community groups. Responsible for the development, administration and coordination of short and long term transit plans. Performs service level evaluations, route planning studies and transit marketing research. Accountable for all public inquiries relating to transit. This position reports to the General Manager of Planning and Infrastructure.

This is a full-time, permanent position. The salary range is: $123,796.40 - $147,147.00 annually.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITES:

Transit Operations Management

• Responsible for all grants and contract administration associated with transit.
• Promote transit use through the implementation, monitoring and ongoing updating of transit strategy, policies, procedures and bylaws as determined by the City.
• Develop and review schedules, analyze fares and revenue and recommend fare adjustments based upon costs and consumer tolerance.
•  Monitor the operations and usage of commuter and local transit to ensure contractors are meeting operational expectations, and the service is meeting passenger requirements.
• Develop optimum schedule times and routes for both commuter and local services.
• Negotiate, review and manage contracts with Edmonton Transit and other regional partners that affect City transit. Includes operations contracts, cost-sharing agreements, advertising contracts.
• Collaborate with city departments or service providers to maintain bus stop maintenance standards.
• Review, prepare and report transit administrative recommendations including fees and charge changes, service level delivery, funding opportunities and other initiatives.
• Provide on-going marketing information to users, regional partners and interest groups, through a variety of means and in coordination with the Corporate Communications department.
• Monitor the operations of the electronic fare payment system (ARC) to ensure the fare collection equipment is working correctly.
• Inspect city transit stops and City of Spruce Grove buses.
• Switch out fare boxes and coordinate cash handling with the Finance section.
• Collaborate with Edmonton Transit Services (ETS) transit operations centres or other jurisdictions, organizations as required.
• Facilitate annual rider surveys to determine satisfaction of service and methods to improve and build service.
• Perform analysis of operating costs and revenue.

Transit Strategic Planning

• Participate in the procurement process of buses.
• Work with other department and regional partners on the implementation of the expansion.
• Research and provide supporting information related to park and ride design, roadway construction standards, placement of stops, shelters and benches.
• Provide communication materials related to expansion of service for internal and external audiences.
• Review and plan the introduction of new routes including local routes as well as changes to existing routes.
• Negotiate with ETS for storage, maintenance, operation and scheduling of buses purchased by the City.
• Responsible for long term and strategic planning for transit; including innovation, initiatives and funding opportunities through advertising and sponsorship.
• Establish and manage operational and capital budgets to ensure that expenses are consistent with approved budgets.
• Ensure functional service design and administrative capabilities are in place for the city to implement and sustain a transit system.
• Review and adjust plans based upon associated projects (subject matter experts), public input and council approval.
• Research current transit technology and operational strategies.

Stakeholder Relations

• Lead and support the Memorandum of Agreement on Tri-Region Transit. Share technical expertise with Stony Plain and Parkland to support our cost sharing agreement and for the benefit of regional transit.
• Investigate and resolve inquiries from the public, administration and Council with regards to transit service.
• Liaise with business community, citizen groups and other government agencies.
• Represent the City on transit related interest on an ongoing basis with appropriate external organizations and regional committees and contacts including U-Pass, Regional Smart Fare (ARC), and Accessible Transportation Service.
• Maintain personal and broad public outreach related to transit.
• Contribute and participate where appropriate with Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) at the regional and national level.
• Maintain membership in CUTA, which includes completion of surveys and attendance of regional and/or national meetings.

Financial Management

• Collaborate in the development of annual department work plans and operational budgets.
• Determine and prepare draft budget, both operating and capital.
• Provide additional financial information as may be required to Finance, City Manager and City Council.
• Review monthly financial reports and where required, take necessary corrective measures to remain within budget.
• Prepare invoices in accordance with the cost sharing formulas negotiated in regional agreements.
• Prepare and manage in conjunction with the General Manager of Planning and Infrastructure the annual operations budget and recommendations.

Other Duties

• Understand and adhere to City policies, procedures and standards, whether written or implied, as amended from time to time.
• Provide leadership for Health and Safety by making every reasonable effort to ensure the health and safety of staff within the section. Understand the safety incident reporting requirements
• Act as a steward of the City's Corporate Culture through empowerment and support to staff.
• All employees shall act in a safe manner at all times and will report any unsafe conditions, procedures or acts for the benefit of the City. Continual adherence to the City Safety Policy is mandatory.
• Employees are expected to stay current on WHMIS and other safety-related procedures.
• Perform other job-related duties.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Post secondary Diploma two (2) years in Civil Engineering Technology or equivalent or a Degree in municipal or regional transit planning and management.
• Minimum ten (10) to twelve (12) years developing major transit projects, programs, and policy preferably within a municipal setting.
• Project Management Certificate or designation an asset.
• Sound knowledge of transit operations.
• Experience in transit planning - route planning, long term growth planning.
• Experience in project management.
• Understand the framework of policies and bylaws City-wide.
• Knowledge of the principles, methodology, practices of research and data collection.
• Advanced knowledge of effective writing techniques.
• Knowledge of computer hardware and software programs, which may include Microsoft Office Suite, Internet applications, and GIS.
• Knowledge of municipal government operations.
• Experience and skills in facilitation.
• Leadership initiating and delivering policy and programs that support transit goals and objectives.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills for preparing and presenting planning reports and projects.
• Excellent interpersonal skills for facilitating relationships with all stakeholders.
• Highly developed research and analytical skills.
• Creative problem-solving skills based on sound judgement in order to gather relevant information to solve less well- defined planning problems and the ability to adapt to changing priorities and timelines.
• Advanced time management skills.
• Ability to work independently while making policy-based decisions in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to participate effectively in teams.
• Ability to work on several projects or issues simultaneously.
• Ability to manage projects effectively and meet firm deadlines.
• Ability to develop and implement goals, strategies, and plans.
• Ability to understand the political process, government regulations, and time constraints.
• Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
• Basic knowledge of BI 360 and Questica.

COMPETENCIES:

Thinking & Acting Strategically - Forward-thinking. Sees the big picture and imagines the future. Links long-range visions, strategies, and concepts to daily work. Aligns personal actions and initiatives with customer needs, and with organizational priorities and direction. To think and act strategically requires an understanding of our organizational direction, as well as the internal and external factors that influence decision-making.

Building Influential Working Relationships - Strengthening and developing working relationships and strategic alliances that are founded on ethics, trust, and guided by our corporate values of respect, leadership, accountability, communication, and integrity.

Optimizing Performance & Results - Reaches for excellence for oneself, one’s team, and the organization. Determined and focused on achieving outcomes that align with organizational goals. Creates goals and priorities that maximize resources while using an enterprising, resourceful approach to deliver outcomes and achieve customer expectations. Maintains accountability for results.

Growing Talent & Workforce Capacity - Honouring the individual differences that make each person unique. Being curious and committed to listening, reflecting, and learning. Developing individual and workforce capabilities to enhance the organization’s capacity to accomplish strategic goals, enhance program and service delivery, and provide an exceptional customer/client experience. Contributes to a learning and teaching culture.

Fostering Innovation & Steering Change – Creates an environment for transformation. Advances the City through improvement based on innovation and guides the associated change. Uses the skills, attitudes and behaviours needed to produce new or improved programs and services to meet current and future needs of our customers, our organization, and our community.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Class 5 Driver’s License.
• Must obtain a satisfactory review of a three-year Driver’s Abstract, with a maximum of six demerits.
• Criminal Record Check Clearance.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

• Monday to Friday.
• Hours of Work: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
• Travel may be required.
• Working in an office environment.
• Exposure to noise levels that may exceed 85 decibels.

WHAT WE OFFER:

• Competitive annual salary
• Pension
• Medical & Dental Benefits
• Life Insurance
• Wellness Initiatives
• Work/Life Balance
• Recognized General Holidays
• Leave Options
• Flexible Work Arrangements
• Positive Work Atmosphere
• Employee Awards
• Volunteer and Fundraising Opportunities
• Professional Development

NEXT STEPS:

• Please visit www.sprucegrove.org/careers for more information and to apply.
• Only those candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted.
• Candidates may be interviewed as applications are received.
• The posting may be used to staff other permanent or temporary vacancies.