Director of Planning and Service Development

Pay Range: $86,000 to $120,000

General Function:

The Director of Planning and Service Development is responsible for a wide range of activities related to increasing ridership and advancing the role GBT plays in its service area. Duties include bottom-line responsibility for all service planning, scheduling, blocking, and runcutting, facility and amenity planning, marketing and public information, customer relations, capital programming, legislative initiatives and government relations, and special projects. This position is also responsible for the management of a wide variety of projects, from inception to completion, and is responsible for the maintenance, analysis, and reporting of data, including reports to the National Transit Database and FTA Milestone Progress Reports.

Accountability:

This position reports to the Chief Executive Officer or his designee and supervises the staff assigned to the Planning Department.

Position Requirements:

1. Performs a wide variety of transit planning functions to support GBT’s efforts to provide fixed route and paratransit bus transit services.
2. Collects, compiles and reviews ridership, productivity and cost information for continuous service improvements.
3. Responsible for service quality improvements and monitoring system schedule adherence.
4. Prepares schedules including route design and timing and ridership and appraisal.
5. In partnership with the Manager of Transportation Operations, leads the development of bus assignments and bus operator assignments, for GBT’s fixed route services, through GBT’s current scheduling software “The Master Scheduler.”
6. Maintains routes, schedules and information as appropriate.
7. Makes recommendations regarding bus route and schedule revisions to increase ridership, revenue, and customer satisfaction.
8. Ushers service changes and other planning projects through public vetting and approval process according to GBT policies and procedures.
9. Responsible for development and marketing of new and innovative services.
10. May serve as the public information officer, working directly with the media, general public, local officials, government agencies, and other individuals and groups.
11. Develops, implements, and maintains a customer service information strategy including the use of social media.
12. Directs GBT’s capital program development including the development of capital request forms for CTDOT, coordination with the regional MPO, integration of GBT projects in the local Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) and State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), and assisting in the management of grants in FTA’s TrAMS system.
13. Responsible for coordinating TIP projects and may represent the Authority at Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) meetings.
14. Participates in the development and preparation of Federal and State grant applications and amendments for operating, capital, and planning funds.
15. Ensures compliance with FTA regulations including Incidental Charter, ADA, School Bus, and Title VI.
16. Serves as liaison to a number of local, state, and federal agencies.
17. Constantly searches for new operating and capital funding opportunities beyond traditional funding mechanisms and pursues discretionary grants when appropriate.
18. Oversees the administration of GBT’s Municipal Grant Program (MGP) and other similar programs.
19. Prepares and may deploy content for all of GBT’s AVL based on-board and on-street messaging.
20. In conjunction with the Chief Operating Officer and facilities management staff, may oversee the condition and quality of GBT’s bus terminal.
21. Manages special projects as specified by the Chief Executive Officer.
22. May serve as Staff Coordinator for any passenger advisory or similar committees.
23. Manages all aspects of GBT’s outdoor advertising program.
24. May be responsible for the day-to-day operation of GBT’s bus station information booth and call center.
25. Cultivates and maintains a strong working relationship with all GBT departments.
26. Maintains GBT’s Strategic Marketing Plan and Calendar.
27. Manages content of GBT’s website.
28. Manages all GBT’s social media and outreach systems.
29. Develops content for all GBT print media and internal forms.
30. Manages all aspects of GBT’s public outreach program.
31. Other duties as assigned by the Chief Executive Officer or his designee.
32. Manages an ongoing program for proactively assessing the quality of GBT customer’s experience.
33. Manages an ongoing process to improve GBT’s understanding of its riders.
34. Serves as system administrator for GBT’s scheduling system “The Master Scheduler” and CAD / AVL system “OnRoute.”

Requirements:

1. This position requires a Bachelors Degree from a recognized college or university and progressively responsible management experience in public transportation is preferred.
2. Administrative principles and methods, including goal setting, program and budget development and implementation.
3. Ability to master complex software systems and various web-based and other content management systems.
4. Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills.
5. Demonstrate a mastery of the Microsoft suite of software.
6. Strong leadership skills.
7. Outstanding customer focus.
8. Strong project management skills and the ability to manage complex projects.
9. Ability to serve as GBT’s public information officer.
10. Demonstrated ability to prepare and deliver public presentations.
11. Ability to conduct procurements under federal regulations.
12. An understanding of Metropolitan Planning Organization process.
13. An understanding of federal grants management and compliance.
14. A comprehensive understanding of bus transit.
15. Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff.
16. An understanding of marketing and community engagement strategies for transit.
17. A detailed understanding of urban, community and regional planning processes.
18. This position requires outstanding written and oral communication skills.
19. This position may require travel from time to time.

Safety

Responsible for contributing to a safe and secure work environment. Is knowledgeable of and adheres to OSHA, GBT and other safety standards. Uses safety equipment and protective clothing as appropriate. Maintains good housekeeping habits in work area to avoid injury to self or others. Immediately reports any safety or security issue, and makes recommendations for improvement. Observes building access restrictions and locks doors when not present. Knows the nearest safety exits and participates in safety drills.