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Director of Engineering, BART Silicon Valley Program

VTA, San Jose, CA, United States


Job Description VTA is currently seeking a Director of Engineering – BART Silicon Valley Program to provide executive leadership and oversight for all design development, project close-out, and design-related responsibilities for BART Silicon Valley Phase II (BSVII), as outlined in the BART-VTA comprehensive agreement. To apply for this position, please submit your resume to Gregg A. Moser at gmoser@kapartners.com.

Distinguishing Characteristics This is an At-Will executive management position and serves at the discretion of the General Manager/CEO. The incumbent is responsible for the successful design and delivery of the BSVII project in accordance with the BART-VTA comprehensive agreement. This includes managing the General Engineering Consultant (GEC), ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, and coordinating with various stakeholders to deliver a successful project.

This role requires a strong leader with extensive experience in managing complex transit infrastructure projects, collaborating with diverse stakeholders, and navigating regulatory requirements.

About VTA The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority employs more than 2,000 people dedicated to providing solutions that move Silicon Valley. Unique among transportation organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area, VTA is Santa Clara County’s authority for transit development and operations (light rail and bus), congestion management, transportation-related funding, highway design and construction, real estate and transit-oriented development, and bicycle and pedestrian planning. With local, state, and federal partners, VTA works to innovate the way Silicon Valley moves and provide mobility solutions for all.

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is an independent special district that provides sustainable, accessible, community-focused, innovative, and environmentally responsible transportation options promoting the region's vitality. VTA provides bus, light rail, and paratransit services and participates as a funding partner in regional rail services, including Caltrain, Capital Corridor, and the Altamont Corridor Express.

To learn more, go to: vta.org.

Our Community Santa Clara County, sometimes referred to as “Silicon Valley”, is unique for its innovation, natural attractions, and social diversity. With numerous amenities and perfect weather, it has long been considered one of the best places in the United States to live and work. A year-round calendar of festivals and celebrations supports the community spirit. Nearby open space provides easy access to mountain parks, trails, lakes, streams, and beautiful coastal beaches. San José has received accolades for its vibrant neighborhoods, healthy lifestyle, and diverse attractions from national media, including Business Week and Money magazines.

The county’s population of 1.9 million is the largest in Northern California and is rich in ethnic culture and diversity. Enjoy access and the option to explore our closely neighboring counties of San Francisco and Alameda.

Essential Job Functions Typical Tasks

Develops and implements design strategies; oversees the General Engineering Consultant (GEC); ensures design activities align with project goals, schedules, and budgets with management assistance from the Program Management Team (PMT)

Leads and manages BSVII personnel and consultant staff

Fosters a collaborative and high-performing team environment

Ensures designs meet federal, state, and local regulatory requirements; conducts necessary analyses and modifications

Represents VTA in BSVII-related matters with various stakeholders, including the FTA, legal and financial entities, city councils, and the public

Liaises with the FTA with regard to BSVII design activities, including submission of FTA deliverables

Provides regular briefings to the VTA Board, committees, and other agencies on design progress, issues, and recommendations

Develops, negotiates, and monitors contracts with design consultants and contractors

Develops and manages the BSVII design budget; approves expenditures, forecasts funding needs and quality objectives by effectively delegating and expediting project work

Works closely with VTA divisions and departments to ensure alignment with agency policies and procedures; fosters collaboration and ensures efficient project execution among various stakeholders

Collaborates with partner organizations on funding and legislative plans; advocates for VTA's interests and secures necessary resources

Oversees VTA's support and staffing for the Steering Committee, facilitating effective communication and coordination among stakeholders

Manages VTA engagement with various stakeholders, including coordinating meetings and approval processes

Oversees and coordinates project planning

Applies best practice knowledge to scope and review tunnel design

Prepares and presents items to various boards and committees

Participates in constructability reviews of tunneling design

Reviews geotechnical data to make informed decisions regarding cost, schedule, risk, and feasibility of underground construction designs

Represents VTA before the Board of Directors, city councils, government agencies, boards and commissions, and local citizens in public meetings and hearings

Prepares, reviews, and approves detailed correspondence and reports

Selects, supervises, trains, motivates, assigns, counsels, and disciplines assigned staff

Coordinates with federal, state, and local agencies, and ensures compliance with their administrative guidelines

Ensures compliance with VTA policies and procedures regarding equal opportunity and discrimination and harassment protection

Participates in the development and administration of assigned budget, forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies, and approving expenditures

Provides timely communication regarding program status, issues, and recommendations regarding changes in policy, strategy, design, or funding alternatives, in addition to design change orders or contract amendments that require approval

Performs related duties as required

Minimum Qualifications Employment Standards

Sufficient education and increasingly responsible experience in transit design and construction, program management, and stakeholder engagement which demonstrates possession of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Development of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is typically obtained through a combination of training and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with a four‑year degree in engineering, architecture, or a related field, and extensive and increasingly responsible managerial experience in the design and construction of large‑scale transit infrastructure projects involving multiple stakeholders and navigating regulatory processes.

A master’s degree in engineering, architecture, or a related field is preferred. Registration as a professional engineer in the State of California is highly desirable.

Supplemental Information Knowledge Of

Principles and practices of transit design and construction, including rail systems, stations, and related infrastructure

Federal, state, and local regulations governing transit design and construction, including FTA requirements

Contemporary principles of tunnel design and construction, including structural, geotechnical, and systems engineering

Underground construction methods, including ground improvement, spoils/muck removal, boring, support of excavation, and other requirements associated with tunneling

Principles and practices of organization, administration, and fiscal and personnel management, contracting, and records management in a public sector environment

Principles, techniques, and processes of government at the local, regional, state, and federal levels

Federal, state, and local processes required for regulatory and funding approval for large-scale transit projects

Legislative processes and strategies for effective advocacy

Principles of supervision, training, employee development, and effective discipline

Methods and techniques of public sector budgeting and cost reporting

Principles of effective communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution

Local, regional, state, and federal funding sources, programs, and grant eligibility processes

Ability To

Lead and manage a multidisciplinary team of engineers, architects, and consultants

Develop and implement effective design strategies and solutions

Effectively apply advanced knowledge of tunneling, geotechnical science, and underground construction program design

Analyze complex technical problems and develop innovative solutions

Plan, organize, and direct a complex multi‑agency infrastructure project

Build and maintain effective relationships with key stakeholders, including elected and appointed government officials, business and community leaders, and various interest groups

Use tact, discretion, and diplomacy in navigating sensitive situations and addressing concerns from diverse stakeholders

Review and prepare clear and concise correspondence and written and oral reports

Understand, interpret, explain, and apply federal, state, and local laws and regulations relevant to transportation and infrastructure development

Negotiate effectively and persuasively on behalf of VTA to secure funding and legislative support

Develop, implement, and manage the processes involved in infrastructure project development and execution

Effectively represent VTA before the Board of Directors, city councils, federal, state, local, and regional agencies, boards and commissions, and before local citizens in public meetings and hearings

Select, supervise, train, motivate, assign, evaluate, counsel, and discipline staff

Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing

Take initiative, reason logically, and be creative in developing and implementing innovative solutions

Define problem areas, evaluate alternatives, and recommend and implement solutions to complex issues and challenges

Effectively prepare, manage, and monitor assigned budgets

Establish cooperative relations with staff, contractors, consultants, technical committees, community and industry organizations, representatives of federal, state, regional, and city agencies, and the general public

As we continue to implement our VTA Forward Plan, we aim to strengthen and increase our workforce to take on future opportunities and challenges by elevating our people and our services.

For more information about our VTA Forward Plan, visit: https://www.vta.org/VTAForward

Americans with Disabilities Act Accommodations The Human Resources Department will make reasonable efforts in the recruitment/examination process to accommodate applicants with disabilities. If you wish to request an accommodation, call the Human Resources Department at (408) 321-5575 or email at Personnel@vta.org.

If you have questions regarding your status as an applicant for this position, please contact Gregg A. Moser at gmoser@kapartners.com.

VTA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities or religious needs, absent undue hardship.

VTA is an equal employment opportunity employer. VTA does not and will not tolerate discrimination against applicants or employees on the basis of age, ancestry, color, marital status, mental or physical disability, genetic information, national, origin, immigration status, political affiliation, race, religion, creed, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, medical condition, disabled veteran or veteran status, etc.

VTA offers a generous benefit package including: vision care, a choice of health plans, dental coverage, an employee assistance program, life insurance, and liberal holiday, vacation, and sick leave. A credit union and deferred compensation are also available to employees at their option. Detailed information on VTA's benefits may be found here: https://app.strivebenefits.com/santa-clara-valley-transportation-authority

Pension and Social Security

Classic Members’ retirement benefit formula is 2% @55

New Members’ retirement benefit formula is 2% @62

All Classic AFSCME, SEIU, TAEA, and Non‑Rep employees hired on or after 01/09/2012 pay 7.0% of salary toward the required employee contribution to PERS.

All New/PEPRA AFSCME, SEIU, TAEA, and Non‑Rep employees pay 8.0% of salary toward the required employee contribution to PERS.

Social Security taxes will be deducted from each employee’s bi‑weekly salary.

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