Operations Manager - Public Transit

Operations Manager

Solano County Transit, known as SolTrans, provides local fixed route and complementary paratransit service in southern Solano County, along with commuter fixed route service across the County. SolTrans is an independent public agency governed under a Joint Powers Authority with a six-member Board.

The agency contracts transit operations, maintenance, and customer service to a service partner while staff retain responsibility for oversight, planning, policy, funding, facilities, technology, and public service quality.

The agency owns all vehicles and key facilities, including transit centers, park-and-ride assets, and an operations and maintenance facility that support daily service. SolTrans employees see the direct results of their decisions in rider experience, reliability, accessibility, safety, and public confidence.

The Operations Manager oversees the transit system's operations, including management of the contract for fixed route, paratransit, and maintenance services as well as other supporting operational contracts. The role reports to the Executive Director and provides direction to both agency operations staff and the contractor. This is an at-will position.

This position is hands-on, data-informed, and highly visible: monitoring service performance, resolving operational issues, supporting public reporting, and coordinating across SolTrans, contractors, partners, and the community.

The ideal candidate brings strong experience overseeing contracted transportation operations and fleet maintenance, with the judgment to manage service quality, budgets, compliance, staff development, public-facing issues, and operational change in a small-agency environment.

Because SolTrans is lean and highly collaborative, this position requires a leader who can move between strategy and implementation: translating data into decisions, negotiating with contractors, communicating with the Board and stakeholders, leading by influence, and supporting colleagues across the agency.

This is a role for a hands-on operations manager someone who can stay close to the service while helping guide SolTrans through operational growth, fleet transition, and stronger performance systems.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversees contracted operations activities, aligning with Solano County Transit's mission and goals.
• Manages contracts including our largest contract for Transit Operations Services, which includes bus operations, dispatch, customer service, fleet maintenance and parts inventory.
• Monitors key performance indicators for transit services.
• Ensures FTA and ADA compliance in service delivery.
• Reports to the Board of Directors on operational activities and KPIs.
• Develops and manages operational budgets, policies, and procedures.
• Ensures successful transition to zero-emission buses by the operating contractor.
• Manages the NTD monthly/annual reporting and the TDA triennial process.
• Procures new vehicles, supervising their specifications, acceptance, and approval to be placed in service.
• Fosters relationships with external agencies and community organizations.
• Manages personnel activities, including training, performance management, and staff development.
• Stays informed about industry trends, legislation, and best practices.
• Handles complex inquiries and service issues.
• Undertakes other related duties as required.

Supporting Role:

• Supports the coordination and completion of grant applications with appropriate staff.
• Works closely with appropriate staff on potential service changes and notifications.
• Serves as an internal expert in transit operations and provides support to colleagues in support of the Agency's transit services and operations.
• Understands and assists in updating and executing the Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) as necessary.
• Leads operational research and analysis to support the development of overall improved transit systems, including assessing routing, costs, and financial needs.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in transportation or community planning, public administration, business administration, or a related field. Equivalent professional experience may be considered as a substitute for the educational requirement.
• Minimum of four years of progressively responsible managerial experience in oversight of contracted transportation operations and fleet maintenance, including budgetary and supervisory responsibilities.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain by time of appointment, a valid California Class C driver's license and a driving record satisfactory to SolTrans is required for positions that operate agency vehicles or travel between work sites. Individuals who are unable to meet this requirement due to a disability may request a reasonable accommodation and will be evaluated in accordance with applicable law.

Compensation to be determined based on experience, qualifications, and internal equity. The salary range for this position is $130,461 - $185,554.

Solano County Transit is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of any legally protected status. Reasonable accommodation will be provided as required by law.