TRANSIT PROGRAM AND POLICY DIRECTOR
The Northern Virginia Transportation Commission seeks a Transit Program and Policy Director to coordinate innovative regional transit policy, planning, and research programs through a small interdisciplinary team. Through close collaboration with a network of regional and state transportation partners, the transit director will play an instrumental role in advancing high quality, high capacity transit that connects people to the places they want to go and drives the regional and state economy. As a co-owner of the Virginia Rail Express, a partner with local bus and rideshare systems, the appointing authority for WMATA Board members, with planning and transportation agencies, NVTC’s elected officials and staff have a strong track record promoting a unique network of transit systems. This new position will be key to NVTC in securing regional connectivity, investment in core capacity and innovation, and expanded regional commuter rail service.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
The position combines transit program development and management at a transportation agency that provides technical assistance, financial and grants management, planning and policy development support to its member jurisdictions and local and regional transit providers, and seeks secure stable transportation funding statewide. The Transit Program and Policy Director will bring transit and rail expertise that complements the existing team.
The Transit Program and Policy Director will also manage several administrative functions of the agency including personnel management and serve as staff lead for managing agenda and technical support of the Commission’s regular monthly meetings. The transit team includes the staff responsible for planning, policy, and analytical projects as well as communication, outreach and partnership activities. The transit team supports high impact policy and planning activities to expand a multimodal network of transit systems with a special emphasis on high capacity transit such as commuter rail, BRT, LRT, street car, and fixed rail transit systems and securing a network of local transit that will maximize connectivity of these systems.
DUTIES INCLUDE
• Program design and implementation of regional transit planning projects, technical assistance including provision of technical expertise on state and federal legislative and policy matters
• Management of NVTC’s research and analytical support including the Transit Fellows Program and research partners network
• Oversight of transit team, developing and supporting team and individual work plans, developing professional development plans, and providing regular reviews
• Management of NVTC Commission calendar, meeting preparation including development of meeting agendas, development of and quality control of meeting materials and compliance with FOIA/public meeting laws and policy
• Representation of the Executive Director and service as senior staff on key regional planning efforts and state taskforces and with partner transportation agencies and organizations such as the WMATA, VRE, and the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority, and the MWCOG Transportation Planning Board
• Drafting or overseeing the development and production of a wide range of written material including testimony, rulemaking comments, planning documents, technical memoranda, briefing material, facts sheets, annual reports, and correspondence
• Provide control and oversight as authorized by law and regulation on grant management systems and contract management compliance
SELECTION CRITERIA
Mandatory:
• Bachelor’s Degree in Planning, Public Administration, Public Policy, Transportation, Economics, Business or Transportation Management, Civil or Systems Engineering, or related field, plus 7 to 10 years of professionally progressive, experience in transit, planning, public policy, nonprofit or a related field
• Supervisory experience
• Excellent written communication skills with demonstrated capability to provide succinct analytic products and to add effectively a range of audiences
• Excellent oral communication skills including the skills required for testifying, presenting to the public, and briefing elected and appointed officials
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate regional meetings and outreach sessions
• Skills in graphics and spreadsheets
Desirable:
• Advanced degree in economics, public sector management/administration, public policy, planning, technology policy and law or related field
• Additional work experience beyond the minimum 7 year requirement
• Experience in preparing reports, analyses, and recommendations for board action and comments to legislative and regulatory agencies
• Experience with local, regional, and state government environment
• Experience in working with multijurisdictional service providers and/or regional bodies such as MPOs, transit authorities, or planning districts
• Experience with working with elected officials, business leaders and community groups
• Experience in agenda development and meeting management for boards of directors, public agencies, and inter agency work teams
• Experience working closely in a small team environment
• Experience working with elected officials and with legislative staff
HOW TO APPLY
Applications for the position should be received no later than June 20, 2014. NVTC is an equal opportunity employer. Please provide a complete resume including your salary history and requirements, as well as a letter describing your qualifications and interest in this specific position, and a 2-5 page writing sample to: opportunities@nvtdc.org
Applications can also be mailed to:
NVTC
Attention: Colethia Quarles
Transit Program and Policy Director Position
2300 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 620
Arlington, VA 22201
ABOUT NVTC
NVTC has a small staff located in offices in the vibrant Court House area of Arlington. NVTC is a leading expert on performance metrics and transit finance, coordinates regional planning studies and evaluations, partners with other regional entities including the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority, the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission and the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. NVTC encompasses six cities and counties, Virginia Railway Express (a commuter rail service), six bus systems including MetroBus, Metrorail and the Vanpool Alliance.
SALARY and BENEFITS
Outstanding benefits are provided (life, health, dental, disability insurance; pension; pre-tax child care and medical cafeteria plan; free parking or parking cash-out; tax-free transit benefits). The competitive salary depends on experience and qualifications.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Work hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Additionally, work hours may vary based on business needs and will include evening and occasional weekend hours.
Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis. Beginning June 20, interviews will be scheduled with those candidates whose qualifications best fit our needs. The application process will close when the position has been filled or when a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received.