Senior Manager, Service Planning

SALARY

$127,930.48 - $132,193.98

POSITION SUMMARY

Manages and directs short to medium-term transit planning for the CTA, including the development, analysis, implementation, and evaluation of bus and rail service. Uses a data-driven approach to make recommendations and service plans. Conducts research to determine where operating efficiencies and service improvements can be implemented. Evaluates major route changes and conducts a triennial system review for Title VI and Environmental Justice implications. Participates in the development and administration of the section's programs, policies, goals, and objectives.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

* Oversees the Authority's short to medium-term transit planning.

o Develops proposals to improve operating economies and/or service quality on the bus and rail networks.

o Reviews and analyzes goals and objectives and identifies performance deviations in order to determine and execute appropriate courses of action including legislation compliance, such as Title VI and Environmental Justice implications.

o Manages contracted services, proposals, contract administration, and reports.

o Manages related contracted and grant-funded services.

o Works closely with other Planning areas, Bus Operations, Rail Operations, Bus Maintenance, and Rail Maintenance, Customer Information, Media Relations, and Government and Community Relations.

o Leads a team, including Service Planners and Coordinators, to accomplish transit planning tasks.

* Manages and reviews planning studies, reports, funding proposals, and surveys regarding service and equipment issues, and ensures their accuracy and completeness. Develops recommendations for service improvements and efficiencies in written reports, presentations, funding proposals, and board material. Reviews long-term planning studies to ensure they address ridership and operational needs.

* Supervises the planning and proper communication of alternative service including special event service, school service and temporary service to support construction projects.

* Ensures coordination with FTA, sister agencies, other governmental agencies, and other internal departments.

* Hires, trains, develops, monitors, and evaluates performance of staff. Reviews and recommends personnel actions for approval. Identifies needs within the section and recommends new staff hires.

* Performs related duties as assigned.

MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to this position are the following jobs:

Job Title

* Lead Planner, Service Planning

* Coordinator, Special Services Planning

* Service Planner - Bus I & II

* Service Planner - Rail

CHALLENGES

* Balancing needs of the community with operating and capital funding of the Authority.

* Developing transportation solutions that serve the majority of customers efficiently and are responsive to elected officials and community.

* Developing data analysis tools to streamline the decision-making and planning process.

* Working with and supporting other internal departments to accomplish agency goals.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

* Requires a Bachelor's Degree in Transportation, Urban Planning, Civil Engineering, Mathematics, Geography, Economics or a closely related discipline with academic instruction in transportation planning, operations, and/or policy analysis. Master's degree is preferable.

* At least four (4) years of related work experience with demonstration of progressively increasing responsibilities.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

* Requires occasional fieldwork.

* Requires remaining in a stationary position for extended periods of time and constantly operating a computer and other office productivity machinery.

* Service Area Requirement: Exempt (Non-Union) employees must live within the boundaries of the CTA Statutory Service Area either at the time of employment or within 6 months of beginning employment at CTA.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

* Conceptual knowledge of transit planning fundamentals; economic, operational and schedule related.

* Strong skills with data analysis and information sources relevant to transportation planning.

* Strong analytic, quantitative and qualitative evaluation skills.

* Excellent oral and written communication skills.

* Effective design and presentation skills.

* Personnel management skills.

* Ability to work with others.

* Demonstrated ability to work and produce finished work products within a short time frame.

* Ability to exercise good judgment in a large organization with many competing interests.

* Ability to work independently.

WORKING CONDITIONS

* General Office Environment.

* Occasionally required to travel to CTA bus garages, rail terminals, and shops and other field locations in the service area.

* This position is considered a "C-List" position under the "Revolving Door" prohibition within the State Officials and Employees Act (5 ILCS 430/5-45), which contains a number of post-employment restrictions CTA employees in C-list designated positions must follow. Among other requirements listed in this statute, CTA employees in C-list designated positions are required to follow State notification procedures to the Office of the Executive Inspector General prior to acceptance of any applicable non-State employment or may be fined significant penalties.

EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, AND MATERIALS UTILIZED

* Personal computer and associated software, including but not limited to Microsoft Office Suite, Power BI, SQL, GIS/Arc View, and Hastus scheduling software.