Chief Operating Officer

SUPERVISOR: Director of Transit, City of Knoxville

JOB DESCRIPTION: Responsible for overseeing and providing leadership to the operating functions of Knoxville Area Transit. This position is expected to identify and implement new approaches, optimize organizational effectiveness, improve performance, safety, and teamwork on a continuous basis.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Provide strategic leadership and direction to fixed route service, ADA Paratransit, planning, maintenance, safety, and training fostering a collaborative and results-driven work culture.

• Provides management oversight of the scheduling and service planning functions; monitors overall system operations and identifies opportunities for improvements and efficiencies through various administrative and supervisory functions including policy development, budget oversight, managing special events, projects, charter services, and assessment of NTD statistical data and performance results.

• Implement, monitor, and maintain key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess the effectiveness of operating and safety functions and identify areas for improvement.

• Oversees the development and implementation of safety rules, policies, and procedures; communicates safety expectations; and maintains accountability for the safety performance of the entire agency.

• Identify and address operational deficiencies; formulate and recommend operating policies and procedures or change existing policies or procedures.

• Work closely with the Director of Maintenance to support operational service needs including electric vehicle charging, fleet availability/downtime, and maintenance issues affecting operational services.

• Ensure compliance with the collective bargaining agreement.

• Responsible for overseeing successful charter service per FTA guidelines.

• Support the administration and monitoring of the Transit Asset Management (TAM) plan and the Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP).

• Serve as a key member of the senior management team, working closely with the Director of Transit, Chief Administrative Officer, and Department Heads, to establish organizational goals, objectives, strategies, and priorities, and to ensure they are effectively carried out.

• Assist in establishing strategic direction for KAT and refining short-term goals, objectives and priorities.

• Maintains effective communications with the KTA Board, City Council and other federal, state, regional and local agencies, and represents KAT in public meetings and hearings as the need arises.

• Establish policies that promote company culture and vision. while maintaining positive workforce relations and employee morale.

• Contribute to ensuring that the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), Title VI, and the Drug and Alcohol policies and programs at KAT are carried out.

• Cooperatively and efficiently performs related tasks and duties as required by the Director.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:
Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Planning, or a related field. Minimum 8-10 years of public transit, which included planning, operations, and management, as well as a minimum of five years of supervisory experience.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Thorough understanding of the rules and regulations related to public transportation.

• Proven success in organizational transformation resulting in improved efficiency and effectiveness.

• Excellent leadership and people management skills, with the ability to motivate and mentor staff effectively.

• Theories, principles, and practices of service design, scheduling, and demand estimation.

• Customer-focused, innovative, strategic thinker and team player.

• Safety and security regulations and procedures for transit agencies.

• Excellent interpersonal skills with both internal staff and external stakeholders, as well as the ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

• Strong understanding of budgeting and financial management.

• Knowledge of operations and maintenance practices, including bus and ADA paratransit.

• Familiarity with technology integration and data-driven decision-making.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with a focus on process optimization.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and see, talk and/or hear. The employee occasionally is required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. May experience repetitive motion of wrist, hands, and/or fingers. Occasional reaching above shoulders, below waist and reaching waist to shoulders.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• The noise level is usually quiet

• Inside office conditions with moderate work pace pressure.

HOW TO APPLY
Interested applicants may submit a cover letter and resume to Isaac Thorne, Director of Transit at [email protected]. KAT is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This position will remain open until filled.