Utah Transit Authority
At Utah Transit Authority (UTA), we share a passion for community in our work. We help keep Utah connected and understand that people are at the center of the UTA Way.
The Director Operations (Rail) is responsible for the leadership, management, and oversight of all rail operations, ensuring safe, reliable, and customer-focused service delivery. This position leads all rail operations staff in executing strategic goals, objectives, and initiatives while aligning operational processes between both modes for consistency and efficiency. The Director provides technical direction, ensures regulatory compliance, and fosters continuous improvement in rail service reliability and coordination.
Key responsibilities include leading operational teams, ensuring proper training and cross-training, and overseeing compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. The role involves analyzing operational processes, identifying efficiencies, and integrating solutions that support business needs and system functionality. The Director develops strategies for incident recovery, serves as an Incident Commander during emergencies, and ensures the successful implementation of post-construction and pre-passenger service activities, such as safety certification, system integration testing, and trial operations.
The position also manages rail operations contracts, ensuring compliance and performance through inspections, audits, and key performance indicators (KPI) analysis. The role oversees contractor accountability, ensuring corrective actions are taken to maintain operational excellence. Additionally, the Director represents rail operations in strategic planning, budgeting, and interdepartmental coordination, developing documented information that support UTA's long-term transit service goals.
This role requires strong leadership, collaboration, and decision-making skills to guide teams, sustain operational efficiency, and uphold the principles of The UTA Wayprioritizing people, safety, service, and stewardship.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION/TRAINING: Bachelor's degree in in public administration, transportation/logistics, or a related discipline. Master's degree in public administration, transportation management or a related field is preferred.
EXPERIENCE: Ten years of progressive experience in rail operations, with a focus on both Light Rail and Commuter Rail. This includes developing and aligning operational processes for consistency and efficiency, leading initiatives to enhance safety and service reliability, overseeing operational strategies, and working directly with regulatory agencies.
Five years of management experience in a transit operations environment, including experience with overseeing and integrating operational processes across multiple modes and service areas (e.g., Light Rail and Commuter Rail), delivering strategic initiatives, managing cross-functional teams, and coordinating complex operational activities.
Experience with budget development, performance measurement, labor relations, and contract management.
Demonstrated experience working with Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Federal Transit Administration (FTA), or other applicable regulatory agencies in an operational capacity.
OR -
An equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
[UTA reserves the right to determine the equivalencies of education and experience.]
Knowledge:
- Employee management practices, labor relations, and unionized work environments.
- Strategic planning and leadership development within rail operations.
- Regulatory and safety standards governing rail operations.
- In-depth knowledge of rail operations, including system integration, train control systems (e.g., Positive Train Control, Automatic Train Protection), and safety-critical protocols.
- Operational risk management, safety systems, and disaster recovery protocols.
- Federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing rail operations, including safety standards, labor regulations, and contract compliance.
- Compliance with collective bargaining agreements.
- Budgeting and financial management practices, including forecasting, and monitoring operational expenditures.
- Presenting technical reports, status updates, and strategic decisions to leadership and external stakeholders.
- Employee performance management, coaching, and professional development.
Skills:
- Lead, mentor, and motivate teams to achieve UTA goals.
- Evaluating and troubleshooting rail systems and ensuring safe and efficient operations.
- Provide technical direction, guidance, and support to operational teams.
- Analyze financial data and make data-driven decisions to balance operational needs with budget constraints.
- Manage operational disruptions, serve as Incident Commander, and implement disaster recovery strategies.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, particularly for preparing and delivering presentations and technical reports.
- Foster positive relationships with internal teams, contractors, regulators, and customers.
- Working across departmental boundaries, fostering teamwork, and aligning diverse functional areas toward shared objectives.
Abilities:
- Provide leadership across multiple levels of the department, ensuring high employee engagement, accountability, and motivation.
- Manage change, deliver strategic initiatives, and lead teams through complex challenges.
- Oversee the operational readiness of rail systems, ensuring compliance with safety regulations and industry standards.
- Balance financial and operational demands, making strategic financial decisions that optimize resource utilization.
- Identify and address potential operational risks before they impact service delivery.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with a variety of stakeholders, ensuring smooth collaboration and alignment on key initiatives.
- Create a supportive work environment, fostering employee growth and satisfaction.
- Adjust rapidly to new situations and lead teams through change while maintaining operational stability.
- Identify opportunities for continuous improvement across operations.
- Looking toward the broadest possible view of an issue/challenge; cultivating innovation; anticipating future trends and implications accurately.
- Maintaining an up-to-date understanding of the broader issues affecting field of expertise and organization.
- Standing strong in the face of adversity and taking necessary risk to achieve results.
- Dealing comfortably with the uncertainty of change. Dealing constructively with problems that do not have clear solutions or outcomes.
- Creating an open environment in which thoughts are expressed freely and information flows easily.
- Making sound decisions that consider multiple options, seeking input from others; reaching good decisions in a timely manner.
- Fostering a strong bottom-line orientation; accomplishing objectives despite obstacles and setbacks; exceeding goals successfully; pushing self and others to achieve results.
UTA Competencies
- Strategic Mindset – Looking toward the broadest possible view of an issue/challenge; cultivating innovation; anticipating future trends and implications accurately.
- Business Acumen – Maintaining an up-to-date understanding of the broader issues affecting field of expertise and organization.
- Managerial Courage – Standing strong in the face of adversity and taking necessary risk to achieve results.
- Change Management – Dealing comfortably with the uncertainty of change. Dealing constructively with problems that do not have clear solutions or outcomes.
- Communicates Effectively – Creating an open environment in which thoughts are expressed freely and information flows easily.
- Decision Making – Making sound decisions that consider multiple options, seeking input from others, reaching good decisions in a timely manner.
- Drives Results – Fostering a strong bottom-line orientation; accomplishing objectives despite obstacles and setbacks; exceeding goals successfully; pushing self and others to achieve results.
As a full-time Administrative Employee, your Total Rewards Benefits Package will include:
- Health, dental, vision, life/AD&D, short-term and long-term disability insurance (eligible after 30 days of employment), with Flexible Spending and Dependent Care accounts. Choice between Traditional Co-Pay or High Deductible Health Plans for medical coverage. HSA with company match available to employees enrolled in the HDHP. Benefit plans include coverage for domestic partners (eligibility affidavit required for coverage).
- Onsite Health and Wellness Clinics for medical care at no cost to employees, spouses, domestic partners, and dependent children.
- 22 days of accrued paid time off (13 vacation days and 9 sick days), which increases with tenure at UTA.
- 10 paid holidays and two paid (2) floating holidays per year.
- Retirement options - Pension Plan with 5-year vesting schedule and 457 Contribution Plan, available for immediate contributions and company matching.
- Generous tuition reimbursement for higher education, available for any higher education degree (bachelor, master, or PHD). Course of study must be approved prior to enrollment.
- Training, development, and career advancement opportunities.
- Paid parental leave for birth, adoption, and child placement (after 12 months of employment).
- Free transit passes for employees, their spouses, and their dependent children.
- Employee assistance program – includes counseling, legal services, financial planning, etc.
- UTA Well – a comprehensive wellness program designed to support employees and dependents in their health and wellness goals.
- Free on-site fitness facilities and discounted membership to VASA Fitness and EoS Fitness.
- Discounted cell phone plans with T-Mobile and AT&T.
- Pet insurance plan options (tailored plan coverage based on pet's health and needs).
For more information on UTA's Total Rewards benefits package, please visit: https://jobs.jobvite.com/rideuta/#benefits
Pay Range: $133,000 or more depending on experience
If interested, apply before: Open until filled.
* UTA promotes equal employment opportunities through its employment practices to current employees as well as internal and external applicants without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, disability, age, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, status as a parent, or genetic information. Applicants needing an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act for any part of the application process should contact UTA Human Resources at 801-287-2324. A minimum of two workdays' notice prior to the need for the accommodation is required.
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Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.
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