Chief Operating Officer (COO)

San Joaquin Regional Transit District is hiring a Chief Operating Officer (COO) to provide executive leadership for safe, clean, reliable, and efficient public transportation services in the Stockton Metropolitan Area and broader San Joaquin County region.

Reporting to the CEO, the COO leads day-to-day transit operations and multiple operational departments, ensuring compliance, performance accountability, and alignment with RTD’s strategic plan.

• Provide executive-level operational oversight; develop and monitor division objectives, policies, and procedures; ensure compliance with board direction and applicable laws and regulations.
• Plan, organize, direct, integrate, and evaluate assigned departments (including Transportation, Maintenance, Facilities Maintenance, Planning/Service Development, On-demand Micro-transit, and Paratransit).
• Participate in RTD strategic planning and long-range business, facilities, and resource planning; advise leadership on operational impacts of short- and long-term decisions.
• Implement and monitor short- and long-term plans aligned to RTD mission, vision, strategic goals, and board priorities; monitor performance measures and drive process/system improvements.
• Develop and manage operating and capital improvement budgets; monitor implementation of adopted budgets and drive outcomes through prioritized resources.
• Lead people management per HR policies and labor agreements: performance evaluation, coaching, training, recognition, and discipline up to termination.
• Establish division-wide communications and leadership practices to develop and retain customer service-oriented staff.
• Assess regional/community/customer needs; direct departmental initiatives to improve service quality, efficiency, and effectiveness.
• Represent RTD with boards, elected/public officials, government agencies, industry/professional organizations, and community leaders; potentially handle sensitive media issues.
• Oversee contract management for Paratransit and On-demand Micro-transit; monitor system-wide performance and implement changes to improve coverage, cost-effectiveness, and service performance.
• Direct and evaluate vehicle and facilities maintenance; implement predictive/preventive maintenance; oversee Transit Asset Management planning and ensure FTA and safety compliance.
• Monitor legislation and regulatory developments; develop mitigation strategies; participate in analysis of proposed legislation and related intergovernmental activities.
• Ensure compliance with RTD rules (including Drug & Alcohol policy) and labor agreements; oversee grievances and disciplinary processes; assist in negotiating and administering labor agreements.
• Support and prepare grant/special funding requests; coordinate with agencies to secure funding for transit plans.
• Remain on-call 24/7 to respond to unusual or sensitive incidents/accidents involving RTD fleets.
• Support recruitment and ensure compliance with equal employment opportunity, discrimination, and harassment prevention policies.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

• Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in transportation, public administration, business administration, or a closely related field (or equivalent combination of training and experience). Proof of education beyond high school may be required.
• Experience: Ten (10) years of progressively responsible administrative/management experience in the operation and maintenance of a public transit agency; experience in a public transit agency or governmental setting preferred; experience managing a major transportation function or serving as general manager of a smaller transportation organization is highly desirable.
• Licenses: Valid California Class C driver’s license.
• Knowledge: Transit operations and maintenance; federal/state/local transit regulations; budgeting and public administration; procurement/contracting/public records; safety and security regulations; board governance and public meeting laws; transit scheduling; organization design and development; business communications; research/analysis methods; Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint).
• Abilities: Plan/organize/direct a transit agency; interpret/apply policies and laws; lead collaboratively; develop/administer budgets; resolve complex operational/organizational issues; implement controls and procedures; write reports and correspondence; communicate effectively; negotiate and represent the agency; exercise sound independent judgment, tact, discretion, and diplomacy.

• Employment type: At-will executive management position serving at the discretion of the CEO.
• On-call: 24 hours/day, 7 days/week on-call availability for unusual or sensitive incidents/accidents involving RTD fleets.
• Pre-employment: Conditional upon passing pre-employment screens which may include DOT physical (for safety sensitive positions), drug and alcohol testing, reference checks, and background investigation; selection process may include a written assessment.
• Work environment: Typical office conditions; moderately quiet noise level.
• Benefits: Comprehensive health and dental insurance for full-time employees and dependents; $20,000 life insurance; 12 days/year sick leave; vacation ranging from 2 to 6 weeks depending on service; 401(a) retirement plan with generous employer match.