Streetcar System Manager

What Milwaukee can offer YOU

Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee is an urban hub bursting with energy. Milwaukee provides a casual sophistication – big city appeal without the big-city hassles. We are accessible and affordable, and our residents are welcoming. Milwaukee has evolved through the years, bringing together its unsurpassed old world charm with a breathtaking Art Museum, top-flight arts and cultural attractions, professional sports, lakefront festivals, recreational opportunities and great restaurants. 

The Streetcar System Manager directs all aspects of The Hop streetcar system as a designated rail transit agency.  

Operations Management

• Prepare and manage a $4.5 million annual operating budget.
• Develop, administer and oversee the City’s contract with the Operations and Maintenance Contractor (OMC) and other professional service and vendor contracts.
• Monitor and analyze system ridership and other performance metrics, prepare monthly reports, and disseminate system performance metrics to policy makers.
• Establish and implement any changes to the fare policy, including performing a fare equity analysis.
• Support the City Attorney’s office in subrogation claims and in responding to streetcar-related claims and lawsuits.
• Coordinate service with the Milwaukee County Transit System and contract for bus bridges as necessary.
• Oversee Streetcar Alignment Access Request (SAAR) permits.
• Provide monthly National Transit Database (NTD) ridership reporting and annual NTD reports documenting data.
• Represent the rail transit agency in Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Triennial Audits.
• Provide and comply with annual federal Certifications and Assurances.
• Support the Chief Safety Officer (CSO) with safety and security monitoring, audits, State Safety Officer reporting, (NTD) reporting, and compliance with federal safety requirements. 

Maintain and Administer Policy Plans

• Maintain and administer the Title VI plan to comply with the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
• Maintain and administer the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program and establish, monitor, and report triennial DBE goals.
• Oversee the OMC contractor in the maintenance and administration of the Transit Asset Management Plan.

Grant Management and Financial Reporting

• Secure and manage federal operating assistance and preventative maintenance grants under various federal programs including Congestion Management and Air Quality, FTA Section 5307 Urbanized Area Formula, FTA Section 5337 State of Good Repair, Care’s Act, Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, American Rescue Plan Act, and other programs as may be available. Submit quarterly Milestone Progress Reporting as required by grants.
• Support the Finance and Administration Manager in the submission of quarterly Federal Financial Reports as required by grants and in performing grant draw downs.
• Coordinate with the Metropolitan Planning Organization to incorporate operating assistance grants in the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and distributions under the FTA 5307 Urbanized Area Formula Program as a designated grant recipient.
• Support the Finance and Administration Manager with various financial audits of operations including the City’s Single Audit and National Transit Database financial audit.

Manage System Expansion Projects

• Manage system planning, design, environmental documentation, vehicle procurement, construction, and start-up for The Hop streetcar system expansion.
  

We welcome qualified individuals with disabilities who are interested in employment and will make reasonable accommodations during the hiring process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008.

• Individuals who complete an application for general City employment on or after September 1, 2021 and are subsequently appointed to a position must provide proof of being vaccinated against COVID-19 (i.e., received both doses of the Moderna or Pfizer or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine) or have an approved religious or medical accommodation within ten business days of their employment start date.

1. Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Urban Planning, Transportation Planning, Public Administration, Business Administration or a related field from an accredited college or university.
2. Five years of experience managing public transit systems or other related transit experience.
3. Valid driver's license at time of appointment and throughout employment.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

IMPORTANT NOTE: To receive credit for college, transcripts are required and must be received by the application period closing date. College transcripts should be attached to your online application. Applications without transcripts attached will be considered incomplete and will be rejected. Your transcript must be legible and include the following information:  the university or college name, your name, the degree completed (if applicable) and the date the degree was completed.  Student copies are acceptable.

• Master’s degree in Civil Engineering, Urban Planning, Transportation Planning, Public Administration or Business Administration.

Technical

• Knowledge of budgeting practices and principles to prepare capital and operating budgets.
• Knowledge of transit operations and maintenance procedures.
• Knowledge of electric rail transit system design, maintenance, and operational requirements.
• Knowledge of FTA reporting, grant management and policy requirements for rail transit agencies and as recipients of federal operations and maintenance grant funding.
• Knowledge of FTA project and construction management requirements for capital expansion projects.
• Knowledge of project management practices and organizational skills to prioritize and meet deadlines.
• Ability to proficiently use computer programs such as Outlook, Microsoft Office Suite (primarily Excel, PowerPoint and Word).

• Knowledge of leadership principles and best practices for selecting, supervising and motivating employees.
• Leadership and supervisory skills required to empower, manage, coach and train staff to accomplish utility goals.
• Ability to respond to emergency situations in a calm manner and maintain control of the situation to its resolution or conclusion.
• Ability to foster an environment of inclusion wherein all employees are treated respectfully, are valued for their strengths and feel that they can safely express themselves.
• Ability to analyze problems and instruct employees on proper operational approaches to address issues.
• Ability to remain organized and to meet strict compliance deadlines.
• Ability to prepare and efficiently manage a budget and department resources.
• Diversity, equity and inclusion acumen and the ability to consider policy and projects from an equity lens.

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

• Ability to establish successful working relationships with direct reports and other DPW personnel.
• Ability to work cooperatively with people whose backgrounds may differ from one’s own.
• Superior written communication skills required to compose technical reports and correspondence.
• Verbal communication skills required to present to and communicate with committees, staff and outside agencies with tact and professionalism.
• Ability to manage customer concerns diplomatically.
• Ability to interact with outside agencies to meet the needs of the City. 
• Commitment to providing the greatest positive impact on daily life in Milwaukee.
• Ability to be respectful, diplomatic and tactful with elected officials, state and federal agencies, DPW Leadership, colleagues and residents.

The current salary range (1IX) is $90,399 - $105,669 annually, and the resident incentive salary range for City of Milwaukee residents is $93,111 - $108,839 annually. Appointment above the minimum is possible based upon level of experience and other qualifications and is subject to approval.

BENEFITS

The City of Milwaukee provides a comprehensive benefit program which includes:

• Defined Benefit Pension Plan
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Health and Dental Insurance
• Comprehensive Wellness Program
• Onsite Clinic Services
• Onsite Employee Assistance Program
• Alternative Work Schedules
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Group Life Insurance
• Tuition Benefits
• Paid Vacation
• 11 Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick Leave and other paid leaves
• Flexible Spending Arrangement
• Commuter Value Pass

For full details of the benefits offered by the City of Milwaukee, please visit http://city.milwaukee.gov/Benefits.

THE SELECTION PROCESS will be job related and will consist of one or more of the following: education and experience evaluation; written, oral, or performance tests, or other assessment methods. The Department of Employee Relations reserves the right to call only the most qualified candidates to oral and performance examinations. Oral examinations may include written exercises. Selection process component weights will be determined by further analysis of the job.  

INITIAL FILING DATE - The examination will be held as soon as practical after the deadline listed above. Receipt of applications may be discontinued at any time after this date without prior notice. However, recruitment may continue until the needs of the City have been met. Qualified applicants will be notified of the date, time, and place of the examination. Unless otherwise required by law, the City of Milwaukee will not provide alternative test administration. The applicant is responsible for attending all phases of the job selection process at the time and place designated by the City of Milwaukee.

Applications and further information can be accessed by visiting www.jobapscloud.com/MIL.

• Applications and transcripts should be submitted no later than the deadline listed above.
• If you would like assistance completing an application, please contact the Department of Employee Relations at (414) 286-3751 or staffinginfo@milwaukee.gov.
• The Department of Employee Relations is located in City Hall, 200 E Wells St, Room 706, Milwaukee, WI 53202.

 “The City of Milwaukee values and encourages diversity and is an equal opportunity employer.”