Fixed Route Transportation Director
Mass Transit Magazine, Spokane, WA, United States
Spokane Transit Authority (STA) is seeking a Fixed Route Transportation Director to lead one of the agency’s most visible and mission‑critical functions. This senior leadership role is ideal for an experienced transit professional who excels in complex, unionized environments and understands how to balance safety, service reliability, workforce engagement, and fiscal responsibility. You’ll oversee systemwide fixed‑route operations, guide a high‑performing management team, and help shape how transit supports the community every day.
STA is keenly focused on investing in people, systems, and long‑term service quality. The Fixed Route Transportation Director plays a key role in building trust with frontline employees and labor leadership, while translating agency strategy into action. Partnering closely with executive leadership and peers across the organization, this role focuses on strengthening safety culture, improving operational performance, and delivering service riders can rely on. For leaders motivated by public service and meaningful impact, this is an opportunity to help define what successful transit looks like in a modern, mid‑size system with big‑city complexity.
Ideal Candidate Profile
A motivated, exceptionally talented, and competent leader who will set and exceed the standard for collaborative excellence in all areas of Fixed Route operations.
A leader who inspires a team to succeed by following your example.
A mentor who actively participates and provides opportunities for staff to develop and grow.
An exceptional leader who creates a success‑oriented, customer‑focused, accountable environment.
Examples of Duties
Provide leadership and direction to Fixed Route Transportation personnel and ensure efficient,
effective, and reliable transportation operations.
Ensure continuity of department operations, including supervision, instruction, direction,
scheduling, and training of staff.
Coordinate planning and implementation of Fixed Route Transportation services with internal
departments and external agencies.
Communicate regularly with agency leadership, employees, union representatives, transit
officials, vendors, suppliers, and community partners to exchange information and resolve
operational issues.
Ensure departmental alignment with agency mission, goals, and objectives; develop annual work
plans and strategies focused on safety, service quality, and operating efficiency.
Prepare and manage the department’s annual budget; monitor and approve expenditures in
accordance with agency policies and sound fiscal practices.
Direct preparation of operational records, reports, statistics, and required documentation for
internal use and local, state, and federal reporting.
Attend, chair, and participate in meetings, including those related to grievances, arbitration,
and litigation.
Supervise, evaluate, select, train, counsel, discipline, and, when appropriate, terminate
departmental personnel.
Exercise administrative control over a large workforce through subordinate managers and
supervisors.
Strengthen teamwork and collaboration across departments to support integrated operations and
consistent decision making.
Build and sustain a positive, accountable culture within the Fixed Route Transportation
Department.
Develop, implement, and sustain structured professional development opportunities for
supervisors and staff, including coaching, mentoring, training plans, and succession planning
efforts.
Hold leaders accountable for developing their teams and reinforcing a culture of continuous
learning and development.
Ensure supervisors are equipped with the tools, training, and support necessary to lead
effectively and consistently.
Training & Experience
Training & Experience
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and specialized or technical training. Seven years of progressively responsible experience in transit operations, including at least three years in a management capacity. Comprehensive knowledge and experience with public transit operations, transportation scheduling, accessibility, transit planning, and administrative practices and methods. Experience with Microsoft Office products and transit software applications (Trapeze preferred).
Physical Requirements
Physical Requirements
Ability to sit, stand, walk, squat, stoop, bend, kneel, balance, twist, talk, and grasp. Visual acuity is sufficient to determine color, depth, and field of vision; ability to receive detailed oral information and discriminate sounds. Ability to exert up to fifty pounds occasionally, up to ten pounds frequently, and negligible force continuously. Exposure to indoor and outdoor environments, noise, dust, fumes, hazardous materials, and vibration.
Computer Skills
Computer Skills
Experience using Microsoft Office applications. Experience with transit software systems, including Trapeze or Vontas, is preferred.
License
License
Valid driver’s license from state of residence with a satisfactory driving record. Ability to obtain a Commercial Driver License is preferred.
Our Benefits
In addition to the career opportunity, a competitive salary, and the areas’ recreational activities, we offer an excellent benefits package that includes:
Annual salary of
$122,073 – $163,586
(DOE)
Premera Blue Cross – Your Choice 250 Heritage Plus Plan
Kaiser Permanente CDHP PPO Plan
HMO Medical Plans (Vision coverage included) (Employee, Employee+Family, Employee+Spouse, and Employee+Child)
Kaiser Permanente Medical Core Plan
Kaiser Permanente Medical Core Buy-Up Plan
Delta Dental PPO Plan
WA State Public Employee’s Retirement System (PERS)
PERS 2 or PERS 3
Deferred Compensation/457 plan
Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) employer contribution of $50/month
Flex Spending Account
Employer Paid Basic life ($50,000), AD&D ($50,000) and long‑term disability insurance
Pet Insurance
AFLAC Supplemental Insurance
Vacation Accrual Schedule (paid)
0-4 years of continuous service – 2 weeks per year
5-9 years of continuous service – 3 weeks per year
10-14 years of continuous service – 4 weeks per year
15+ years of continuous service – 5 weeks per year
Sick Leave Full‑time employees – 96 hours per year maximum
.0462 hours earned per hour in paid status 8 hours per month maximum
8 Paid Holidays
4 Floating Holidays
Free bus passes for employee and dependents
Free Rideshare for Employees
Onsite workout facility
Acentra Health Employee Assistance Program
Flexible schedule (9/80) available after completion of probationary period
Spokane Transit is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of age, disability, ethnicity/race, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation or veteran status.
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STA is keenly focused on investing in people, systems, and long‑term service quality. The Fixed Route Transportation Director plays a key role in building trust with frontline employees and labor leadership, while translating agency strategy into action. Partnering closely with executive leadership and peers across the organization, this role focuses on strengthening safety culture, improving operational performance, and delivering service riders can rely on. For leaders motivated by public service and meaningful impact, this is an opportunity to help define what successful transit looks like in a modern, mid‑size system with big‑city complexity.
Ideal Candidate Profile
A motivated, exceptionally talented, and competent leader who will set and exceed the standard for collaborative excellence in all areas of Fixed Route operations.
A leader who inspires a team to succeed by following your example.
A mentor who actively participates and provides opportunities for staff to develop and grow.
An exceptional leader who creates a success‑oriented, customer‑focused, accountable environment.
Examples of Duties
Provide leadership and direction to Fixed Route Transportation personnel and ensure efficient,
effective, and reliable transportation operations.
Ensure continuity of department operations, including supervision, instruction, direction,
scheduling, and training of staff.
Coordinate planning and implementation of Fixed Route Transportation services with internal
departments and external agencies.
Communicate regularly with agency leadership, employees, union representatives, transit
officials, vendors, suppliers, and community partners to exchange information and resolve
operational issues.
Ensure departmental alignment with agency mission, goals, and objectives; develop annual work
plans and strategies focused on safety, service quality, and operating efficiency.
Prepare and manage the department’s annual budget; monitor and approve expenditures in
accordance with agency policies and sound fiscal practices.
Direct preparation of operational records, reports, statistics, and required documentation for
internal use and local, state, and federal reporting.
Attend, chair, and participate in meetings, including those related to grievances, arbitration,
and litigation.
Supervise, evaluate, select, train, counsel, discipline, and, when appropriate, terminate
departmental personnel.
Exercise administrative control over a large workforce through subordinate managers and
supervisors.
Strengthen teamwork and collaboration across departments to support integrated operations and
consistent decision making.
Build and sustain a positive, accountable culture within the Fixed Route Transportation
Department.
Develop, implement, and sustain structured professional development opportunities for
supervisors and staff, including coaching, mentoring, training plans, and succession planning
efforts.
Hold leaders accountable for developing their teams and reinforcing a culture of continuous
learning and development.
Ensure supervisors are equipped with the tools, training, and support necessary to lead
effectively and consistently.
Training & Experience
Training & Experience
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and specialized or technical training. Seven years of progressively responsible experience in transit operations, including at least three years in a management capacity. Comprehensive knowledge and experience with public transit operations, transportation scheduling, accessibility, transit planning, and administrative practices and methods. Experience with Microsoft Office products and transit software applications (Trapeze preferred).
Physical Requirements
Physical Requirements
Ability to sit, stand, walk, squat, stoop, bend, kneel, balance, twist, talk, and grasp. Visual acuity is sufficient to determine color, depth, and field of vision; ability to receive detailed oral information and discriminate sounds. Ability to exert up to fifty pounds occasionally, up to ten pounds frequently, and negligible force continuously. Exposure to indoor and outdoor environments, noise, dust, fumes, hazardous materials, and vibration.
Computer Skills
Computer Skills
Experience using Microsoft Office applications. Experience with transit software systems, including Trapeze or Vontas, is preferred.
License
License
Valid driver’s license from state of residence with a satisfactory driving record. Ability to obtain a Commercial Driver License is preferred.
Our Benefits
In addition to the career opportunity, a competitive salary, and the areas’ recreational activities, we offer an excellent benefits package that includes:
Annual salary of
$122,073 – $163,586
(DOE)
Premera Blue Cross – Your Choice 250 Heritage Plus Plan
Kaiser Permanente CDHP PPO Plan
HMO Medical Plans (Vision coverage included) (Employee, Employee+Family, Employee+Spouse, and Employee+Child)
Kaiser Permanente Medical Core Plan
Kaiser Permanente Medical Core Buy-Up Plan
Delta Dental PPO Plan
WA State Public Employee’s Retirement System (PERS)
PERS 2 or PERS 3
Deferred Compensation/457 plan
Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) employer contribution of $50/month
Flex Spending Account
Employer Paid Basic life ($50,000), AD&D ($50,000) and long‑term disability insurance
Pet Insurance
AFLAC Supplemental Insurance
Vacation Accrual Schedule (paid)
0-4 years of continuous service – 2 weeks per year
5-9 years of continuous service – 3 weeks per year
10-14 years of continuous service – 4 weeks per year
15+ years of continuous service – 5 weeks per year
Sick Leave Full‑time employees – 96 hours per year maximum
.0462 hours earned per hour in paid status 8 hours per month maximum
8 Paid Holidays
4 Floating Holidays
Free bus passes for employee and dependents
Free Rideshare for Employees
Onsite workout facility
Acentra Health Employee Assistance Program
Flexible schedule (9/80) available after completion of probationary period
Spokane Transit is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of age, disability, ethnicity/race, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation or veteran status.
#J-18808-Ljbffr