Manager Service Planning

Basic Function

Manages, directs, and coordinates the development of METRO’s fixed and on demand transit service under the Director of Service Planning & Evaluation. Formulates policies, procedures, and practices for the Service Planning division and makes recommendations to senior staff. Represents the Director, Service Planning & Evaluation in a variety of capacities as assigned. Performs duties in a safe, efficient manner and in compliance with applicable rules and safety procedures.

Responsibilities and Specific Duties

• Provides primary managerial direction and performs personnel administrative functions of direct report staff (e.g., training, supervising, work assignments, timesheets, performance evaluations, etc.) for the purpose of maintaining necessary staffing, enhancing productivity of staff, and ensuring necessary department outcomes are achieved.
• Develops and coordinates preparation of the yearly transit service plans (regular, annual), estimates for resource requirements and ridership potential, consistent with the overall development of the agency’s strategic business plan and annual budgeting process, and ensures seamlessness between short- and long-range planning efforts.
• Provides quality control and system-level review of service change recommendations.
• Develops, operates, and maintains service model(s); keeps current on tools or techniques related to planning or programming service.  Maintains knowledge of innovative strategies and develops related experimental service programs (e.g. curb2curb service)
• Manages and directs design and implementation of new/modified bus and rail transportation plans.
• Consults with other governmental agencies, the business community, and private organizations to explore new ideas and resolve issues.  Establishes and maintains an effective system of communication.
• Assists in the development and modification of METRO’s Service Standards to be used by Service Planning staff in analyzing their recommendations.
• Oversees development of service change Title VI/Environmental Justice evaluations.
• Participates in the development and review of Universal Accessibility, BOOST, and other capital projects. 
• Reviews marketing printed materials including fliers, info panels, public guides and other documents for accuracy.
• Assists the Service Evaluation section with monitoring service performance and ridership.
• Assists the Scheduling section with recommended route level service changes.
• Attends and represents Service Planning & Evaluation at external community meetings at and away from regular office location.
• Represents Service Planning & Evaluation in implementation meetings associated with METRONow.
• Ensures that all service-related comments are appropriately and timely handled.
• Serves as an advisor to the Director, Service Planning & Evaluation.
• Develops and facilitates presentations to METRO’s Executive Management Team, METRO Board committees and the Board at-large, public hearings, and public meetings, as needed.
• Coordinates bus stop changes with Facility Maintenance and the GIS Analyst to safeguard accuracy of the bus stop inventory.
• Maintains accurate and up-to-date bus operator route maps and route/bay assignments for all transit facilities.
• Provides excellent customer service to METRO internal and external customers.
• Applies Safety Management System (SMS) methods and principles in daily routine and supports all aspects of the agency’s Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP).
• Promotes safety awareness and follows safety procedures to reduce or eliminate accidents.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Pay Range:  $88,700 - $116,400

Education Requirement

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in business, public administration, urban and regional planning, or closely related field is required.  Master’s degree in urban and regional planning is preferred.

Years & Experience Required

Minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in planning for public transit services at various levels and time frames, including three (3) years of supervisory/management experience.  Knowledge of policies, procedures, and functions of METRO; budget development and administration; public transit planning methods, techniques and issues; funding sources, transit-oriented development issues, principles of management, supervision, and training.

Knowledge & Skills Required

Strong leadership and excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, including the ability to prepare and deliver reports and visuals.  Precision problem-solving, initiative, analytical ability, memory, concentration, and judgment. Knowledge of and proficiency in Microsoft Office software (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) and GIS are required.

Additional Information

The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas has a zero-tolerance drug and alcohol policy for all employees. All internal and external applicants will be required to undergo drug testing before employment and will be subject to further drug and/or alcohol testing throughout their employment.

Further, employees who perform safety-sensitive functions will submit to drug and/or alcohol testing in accordance to the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) regulatory requirements.

We provide equal opportunity to all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, veteran status, genetic information or disability.