10 Great Transit Systems to Work For

Orange County Transportation Authority - Orange, Calif.

Posted October 2008

Innovative thinking is encouraged and rewarded at Orange County Transportation Authority, with all employees being challenged to achieve outstanding results.

The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), one of only a handful of multimodal agencies in the nation, serves a region of 3.2 million people and 1.5 million jobs in Southern California. The agency takes a comprehensive approach to the region's transportation challenges through planning, funding and implementing bus, rail, freeway, streets and roads, and rideshare operations and programs.

OCTA's success hinges on developing its more than 2,800 employees (including contractors), beginning with an extensive on-boarding process. New employees are welcomed and acquainted with OCTA's culture through an all-day New Employee Orientation (NEO), which features guest speakers, a bus base tour and scavenger hunt in the administrative offices. NEO feedback is consistently positive. Other organizations such as Autobytel and the American Society for Training and Development have attended to view the program.

Opportunities to learn more about the organization are offered through an innovative Thirst for Knowledge lecture series, which features guest speakers on topics ranging from retirement to health to generational differences in the workforce. Lectures are held six or more times per year with up to 50 employees attending each session.

Franklin Covey training programs offered

Additionally, employees can take advantage of internal training opportunities, including a variety of Franklin Covey training programs and OCTA's own Step Up Program that selects a group of employees for year-long leadership development designed to increase personal and strategic competencies.

OCTA's philosophy on developing employees is summed up by CEO Art Leahy: "I believe it's critical to give people the opportunity to go out and prove themselves and give them a chance to use their skills and show what they can do. Those who succeed are given increasing responsibilities and are encouraged to move up."

OCTA also offers its employees opportunities to improve their physical and emotional dimensions. For example, the agency's Wellness Group offers monthly Learn While Lunching sessions and fitness centers are available at each of the transit bases. Fitness is also promoted through annual health fairs and organized events such as a beach walk for employees and families.

Public recognition for award recipients

Employee recognition also receives strong emphasis. Employee of the Month awards are presented at public board meetings. Other awards are handed out for Safe Driving Recognition and Special Performance, which goes to employees who go above and beyond their everyday duties.

Additional benefits include the Scholarship Program, which will award $23,000 this year to family members of employees and OCTA college interns. This program is funded through money earned by recycling at OCTA facilities, as well as voluntary employee contributions.

OCTA rewards new coach operators with a graduation bonus, and all employees can earn referral bonuses. In addition, employees can cash out accrued sick and vacation time. These benefits have helped to reduce the turnover rate by 5 percent from FY 2006-07 to FY 2007-08.

"From top to bottom, OCTA is an organization that challenges employees to achieve outstanding results," says Leahy. "We have created a positive culture that encourages and rewards innovative thinking. The agency is continuously evolving and exploring ways to improve, and we are never satisfied doing business the way in which it has always been done."

One area that could still use some improvement, Leahy says, involves its talent pool. "The success of OCTA depends upon attracting and retaining the top transportation industry talent in the nation," he says. "While OCTA has accomplished this at many levels, there is always room to improve. We are aggressively pursuing the best people in the industry - and elsewhere - to join the excellent team at OCTA."

For more information about OCTA, visit www.octa.net.

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