Transit Manager

Job Description:

Transit Manager

Description

Summary/Class Characteristics

Transit Manager

The City of Petaluma is seeking a Transit Manager to oversee the City’s transit operations and services within the Public Works Department. This leadership role is responsible for supporting safe, reliable, and efficient public transportation services while helping advance the City’s goals for mobility, sustainability, and customer service.

SALARY AND BENEFITS PACKAGE

• SALARY RANGE : $143,436.80 - $174,387.20 annually
• FOR YOUR HEALTH AND WELL BEING:
  • MEDICAL INSURANCE: Choice of a variety of CalPERS Health Plans. City pays ~95% of the Bay Area Kaiser premium for employee & eligible dependents; or alternative option to receive Medical Cash Back (if you have medical coverage elsewhere). Please see the 2026 Health Plan Contribution Memo
  • DENTAL & VISION INSURANCE: Coverage for employees & eligible family members, paid for by the City.
  • LIFE INSURANCE: 1.5x annual compensation up to maximum of $200,000. Option to purchase additional insurance. Long-Term Disability up to 60% of your current monthly salary after eligibility requirements are met and subject to maximum amounts.
  • EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Support and benefits, for you and eligible family members, paid for by the City.
  • WELLNESS BENEFIT: $500 annual allowance (is subject to the annual budget approval process and may change in the future.)
• FOR YOUR FINANCIAL FUTURE:
  • CALPERS RETIREMENT PACKAGE
    • 2% at 60 for classic CalPERS members
    • 2% at 62 for PEPRA CalPERS members
  • DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN: Voluntary participation in your choice of three plans.
• FOR YOUR WORK / LIFE BALANCE (annual amounts):
  • Vacation: 80 Hours, increasing with years of service, up to 5 years service credit towards vacation accrual rate for prior qualifying employment.
  • Sick Leave: 96 hours
  • Administrative Leave: 80 hours (per fiscal year)
  • Holidays: 12 fixed and 1 floating
• Other Exceptional Benefits:
  • Paid Parental Leave - up to 8 weeks of paid time for qualifying family bonding
  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program Employer

For more information regarding the benefits associated with this position, visit our website and look at the Memorandum of Understanding and Employee Benefits .

Summary

Plan, manage, and direct the operations and services of various City transit-related functions, with an emphasis on public transit, Paratransit, rail service, and related programs; ensure that assigned transit programs comply with federal, state, and local funding requirements and regulatory agency standards; coordinate and/or participate in the planning, development, and implementation of assigned systems and projects; negotiate and oversee work performed by private contractors; and serve as a liaison between assigned transit programs and other transportation providers.

Class Characteristics

General direction is provided by the Director of Public Works and Utilities; responsibilities include the direct and indirect supervision of lower level supervisory, professional, technical, and/or clerical personnel.

Duties

Plan, manage, and direct the operations and services of various City transit functions pertaining to public transit, Paratransit, rail service, and related programs; through subordinate supervisors, employees and/or contract staff, oversee and coordinate assigned transit-related operations, ensuring adherence to federal, state, and local mandates.

Plan, develop, and implement goals, objectives, and priorities for assigned operations, programs, projects, and functions; recommend and implement policies and procedures.

Prepare and administer assigned budgets; forecast funds needed for services, equipment, materials, and supplies; perform cost/benefit analyses and funding justifications; represent the City during fund audits.

Negotiate and administer agreements with contractors and others for the provision of services and capital acquisitions; ensure contract compliance; review and monitor the approval of expenditures.

Identify, secure, and administer new and ongoing transit funds through federal, state, and local agencies; develop grant and other funding proposals; research, write, and review requests for proposals/requests for bids; draft, develop, and execute contracts, bids, and cost estimates; determine standards for contractual compliance; coordinate with the City Attorney and other City officials to interpret and implement agreements, as necessary.

Oversee transit marketing, bus stop, rail stop, shelter placement, and related capital projects; coordinate with contractors and consultants regarding planning and marketing programs;

coordinate the planning and implementation of new schedules and routes; research and oversee the design and production of schedules, brochures, system maps, and other printed materials.

Coordinate routes, schedules, fares, and related matters with inter-county and other transit agencies to ensure City services meet the transit needs of citizens in the most cost efficient manner; represent the City by attending meetings that pertain to federal, state, and local transit systems; give presentations and advice to City officials, committees, and commissions.

Manage the analysis and documentation of environmental impact to ensure transit programs and projects are compliant with federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

Collect and analyze data relating to routes, schedules, ridership, and cost factors; prepare a wide variety of daily, monthly, and annual reports or presentations for federal, state, and local agencies.

Oversee the grants application and management process; ensure compliance with rules, regulations, and requirements of grant funding and grant monitoring agencies.

Monitor federal, state, and local legislation for impacts to transit and paratransit operations and services.

Assign, direct, monitor, and evaluate the work of subordinate staff; develop and supervise staff training programs; direct the development and implementation of management systems, procedures, and standards.

Plan, coordinate, supervise, and participate in complex transit-related studies; analyze issues, identify solutions, and prepare recommendations.

Respond to inquiries and requests for information; resolve service issues and complaints.

Prepare and present City Council agenda items, staff reports, and other necessary correspondence.

Perform related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

Operational characteristics, services, and activities of public transit systems.

Advanced administrative principles and methods including budgeting, procurement, human resources management, marketing, and information management.

State, local and federal laws, regulations and guidelines pertaining to public transit safety, operations, claims, and grant allocations.

Transit planning, schedule writing, promotional methods, and associated tasks.

Administration and operation of public passenger transportation systems and related safety procedures, rules, ordinances, regulations, and traffic laws.

Principles, practices, and terminology related to lease and contract administration.

Principles and practices of grant development, application, and administration.

Principles and practices of employee supervision, training, and leadership.

Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.

Education and Experience

Any combination equivalent to the education and experience likely to provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to gain such knowledge and abilities would be:

Education:

A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in business administration, public administration, urban planning, transit or transportation management, or a related field. A Master’s degree is desirable.

Experience:

Five years of progressively responsible, professional public sector experience involving public transit systems, including at least five years in a supervisory capacity.

Physical Demands and Working Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use the computer keyboard and mouse, use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear; and taste or smell; stand, walk, and stoop, or crouch. Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally be exposed to outdoor weather conditions, moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, toxic and/or caustic chemicals, and vibrations. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, but at times may be high.

The City of Petaluma offers a wide-ranging, comprehensive benefit package including CalPERS retirement, medical, dental, vision, life, LTD, etc. For moreinformation regarding the benefits associated with this position, visit our website: https://cityofpetaluma.org/employee-benefits-information/

Closing Date/Time: 6/25/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

Salary:

$143,436.80 - $174,387.20 Annually