About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

Under the general supervision of the Director of Transportation Services, the Transportation Operations Manager is responsible for planning, organization, direction, capital assets, and contractual obligations with the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority, and administration of bus operations for the UMass Amherst Campus, the Five College Consortium, and eight surrounding communities. As such, the Transportation Operations Manager is responsible for the direct supervision of drivers, supervisors, dispatchers, and approximately 170+ part-time bus drivers.

Essential Functions

Manage the day-to day operations of a 38 bus fleet providing service along 10 public transportation routes, carrying almost three million passengers per year.

• Provide leadership to and manage a professional, classified, and student staff engaged in the planning, development, and delivery of services provided by Transportation Services.
• Develop and implement departmental systems, policies, procedures, processes, and new approaches that continually promote, foster, and ensure quality improvement and exhibit a clear customer service commitment that meets the needs of a diverse campus community.
• In consultation with the Director of Transportation Services, design, recommend, and implement planning for Transportation Services, including route evaluation, dispatching, communications, and customer service; plan and develop schedules, routes, and operational efficiencies including work shift schedules. Cover open shifts as necessary. Coordinate the annual development, distribution, and timeliness of bus schedules.
• Interview, select, orient, train, and evaluate all directly and indirectly supervised personnel; establish and maintain performance goals that are consistent with the mission and objectives of the UMass Amherst campus. Develop, modify, and monitor organizational structure to ensure efficient and effective delivery of services.
• Collaborate with the Director of Transportation Services to develop and manage the operating and capital budgets. Responsible for ensuring that the department operates within allocated funding levels; works closely with the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA), towns receiving PVTA transit services, Five College Consortium, and Parking Services to ensure adequate funding sources.
• Collect data and maintain records as required for the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority, DOT, and the University.
• Manage the FTA-regulated drug and alcohol testing process for Transportation Services. Responsible for meeting all federal and state drug testing, ADA, and audit requirements as a public transit provider.
• Participate in UMass Amherst Emergency Management as a member of the incident management team and remain available twenty-four hours per day for emergencies.
• Maintain competency in the public transportation industry by actively participating in regional and national trade organizations and committees; participate as a voting member in the joint Transportation Committee of the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission.
• Work in partnership with the Director of Transportation Services to advise campus administrators about transit issues in a manner that integrates with the overall mission of the university.
• Communicate and enforce policies, procedures and other information among supervisors, dispatchers, and drivers.
• Provide consultation to the Director of Transportation Services on matters pertaining to the Transportation Services; act as the first step hearing officer for departmental grievances.

Other Functions

• Understands Title IX, Conflicts of Interest policies and other compliance requirements.
• Contributes toward creating a positive and respectful workplace defined by personal and professional competence, integrity, and collaboration.
• Perform related duties as assigned or required to meet department, executive area, and university goals and objectives.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Bachelor’s degree with minimum of four years of progressively responsible management experience.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals of college age.
• Ability to operate complex computer systems.
• Ability to acquire a Class B Massachusetts Commercial Driver’s License with passenger endorsement.
• Ability to pass a NIDA 5 drug and alcohol screen per Federal Transit Administration guidelines.
• Ability to complete Incident Command system training (ICS-100 and ICS-200).
• Ability to complete substance abuse management and program compliance training.
• May be required to fill in for dispatcher’s and supervisor’s shifts as necessary.
• Ability to travel.

Supervision Exercised:

• Number of non-student employees directly supervised: 2
• Number of non-student employees indirectly supervised: 6
• Average number of student employees supervised at any given time: 170+

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm.

Salary Information

Level 28

PSU Salary Ranges

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with your application, please submit a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three (3) professional references. The posting may remain open until the position is filled.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.