Transportation Manager

The Division:
Under the direction of Naunihal Singh, Chief Operating Officer, the Operations Division operates, analyzes, maintains, and manages VTA's bus and rail transit system and facilities. It also oversees contracted shuttle and ADA paratransit services.

Operations consists of the Chief Operating Officer's Administrative unit - Operations Administration - as well as Bus & Rail Transit Operations, Bus & Rail Transit Maintenance, Operations Development, Special Event Service, Facilities Maintenance, Operations Analysis Reporting & Systems, and Regional Transportation Services.

Together, Operations comprises 14 functional units - Operations Administration; Bus & Rail Transit Operations; Service Management; Rail Maintenance; Bus Maintenance; Way, Power & Signal Maintenance; Facilities Maintenance; Maintenance Engineering; Warranty & Quality Assurance; Operations Development; Regional Transportation Services; and Operations Analysis, Reporting and Systems.

What you will be doing:
Definition
Under general direction, the Transportation Manager plans, organizes, directs and coordinates, and monitors assigned transportation operations programs and functions.

Distinguishing Characteristics
This classification is responsible for managing assigned transportation operations programs and functions across multiple operational areas, including service management and bus and rail transportation.
The incumbent provides operational leadership through the supervision of assigned staff and coordination across multiple operational areas and performs related duties as required.

Ideal Candidate: 

The ideal candidate is a strategic, collaborative, forward-thinking leader with extensive experience overseeing public transit operations, including bus, light rail, service management, and field operations. The candidate should also possess a deep expertise in the areas of federal, state, and local laws pertaining to light rail and bus operations and communications.

The candidate must be comfortable working in fast-paced environments where collaboration, sound judgment, and strategic thinking are essential to successful service delivery. Should possess a proven track record of analyzing complex operational challenges and implementing innovative solutions in dynamic transit environments. Expertise in budget preparation, fiscal oversight, and resource allocation, ensuring cost effective operations while meeting organizational goals is also highly desirable.

They should be skilled in managing unionized workforces with documented success in supervising, training, motivating, and developing supervisory staff at multiple levels. They must also be able to navigate complex projects, competing priorities, and sensitive issues while maintaining productive partnerships with stakeholders across multiple departments.

About VTA 

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority employs more than 2,000 people dedicated to providing solutions that move Silicon Valley. Unique among transportation organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area, VTA is Santa Clara County’s authority for transit development and operations (light rail and bus), congestion management, transportation-related funding, highway design and construction, real estate and transit-oriented development, and bicycle and pedestrian planning. With local, state, and federal partners, VTA works to innovate the way Silicon Valley moves and provide mobility solutions for all. 

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is an independent special district that provides sustainable, accessible, community-focused transportation options that are innovative, environmentally responsible, and promote the vitality of our region.

VTA provides bus, light rail, and paratransit services, as well as participates as a funding partner in regional rail service including Caltrain, Capitol Corridor, and the Altamont Corridor Express.

As the county’s congestion management agency, VTA is responsible for countywide transportation planning, including congestion management, design and construction of specific highway, pedestrian, and bicycle improvement projects, as well as promotion of transit oriented development.

VTA provides these services throughout the county, including Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Palo Alto, San Jose, Santa Clara, Saratoga and Sunnyvale. VTA continually builds partnerships to deliver transportation solutions that meet the evolving mobility needs of Santa Clara County.

As we continue to implement our VTA Forward Plan, we aim to strengthen and increase our workforce to take on future opportunities and challenges by elevating our people and our services. 

For more information about our VTA Forward Plan, visit:https://www.vta.org/VTAForward

Family-Friendly Workplace Certification Program (FFWCP)

The County of Santa Clara FFWCP recognizes VTA as a business that creates supportive workplaces for employees and their families.

Family-friendly workplaces improve health outcomes and job satisfaction for employees and increase work productivity and retention for employers. Employers can create a family-friendly workplace by meeting and exceeding state and federal employment laws relating to parental leave, lactation accommodation, and work/family balance.

Typical Tasks

Employment Standards

Sufficient education and increasingly responsible experience to demonstrate possession of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Development of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is typically obtained through a combination of training and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with a four-year degree including major coursework in a technical, engineering, administrative, or related field, and, increasingly responsible supervisory and management experience managing a transit operations or maintenance program for a large mass transit organization.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of organization, administration, supervision, budgeting, and personnel management of a public transportation agency;
• Applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations governing public transportation systems;
• The goals, organization, and management practices of a large public transportation agency;
• Typical provisions found in public transit collective bargaining agreements;
• Industrial safety and general safety rules and regulations as applied to a public transportation system;
• Transportation activities and operations;
• Organizational development techniques and methods as related to curriculum development and training programs for all aspects of bus and light rail operators and maintenance personnel;
• Comprehensive, specific technical knowledge of the major functions within assigned areas of responsibility.

Ability to:

• Plan, organize, coordinate, direct, control, and manage the assigned areas of responsibility;
• Oversee subordinate managers and supervisors and delegate and/or monitor activities to ensure smooth operations;
• Supervise, train, evaluate, counsel, discipline, and motivate staff in a collective bargaining environment;
• Prepare and control a budget;
• Interpret and apply laws, rules, regulations, and labor contract provisions;
• Oversee and manage bus and light rail operations and maintenance training programs;
• Plan for near and long-term bus and/or rail expansion and system modifications;
• Manage the development of service and operating plans;
• Plan, organize, direct, implement, and evaluate vehicle maintenance programs;
• Prepare, interpret, and effectively utilize management information reports;
• Analyze problems and recommend and/or implement effective solutions to difficult and politically sensitive problems;
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Working Environment/Conditions and Physical Demands 

Exposure to weather, mechanical, electrical, high voltage, and other physical hazards often. Tasks may be performed in nighttime conditions as assigned
 May process safety or security event scenes
 Outdoor environment – Occasionally

Work Environment and Physical Effort:

Good Conditions 

Primarily Medium Work

Work Locations:

Office or similar indoor environment – Frequently
 Outdoor environment – Occasionally
 Vehicle and field locations – Occasionally

Exposures: 

Minimal exposure to environmental factors

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Pro Disabled and Veteran Employer. We welcome differences in the form of gender, race, ethnicity, disability, geography, socioeconomic status, age, politics, religion, philosophy, sexual orientation, or gender identity. All applicants who share this goal are encouraged to apply. 

General Application Instructions

Please read this job announcement in its entirety before applying. We recommend printing or saving a copy for future reference.

To be considered, applications must be submitted online through the Human Resources department by the posted deadline. If the job posting is listed as “continuous,” we encourage you to apply as soon as possible, as the posting may close without prior notice. Once your application is submitted, you will receive an immediate email confirmation.

Personalized responses to Supplemental Questions that connect your past experiences to this specific role are the most effective. AI-generated content may lack the specificity required to address the key criteria outlined in the job description. While we encourage the use of AI as a tool to enhance your work, we want to evaluate your non-AI-assisted communication skills. You may use AI to generate ideas, but please ensure your final responses are in your own voice and reflect your unique experience. Overreliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish your chances of success.

Important:Only online applications will be accepted for this recruitment. We do not accept paper applications, resumes, Job Interest Notification Cards, or incomplete/unsubmitted applications in place of a fully completed application.

Communication & Contact Information
All updates regarding your application—including notices for testing and interviews—will be sent via email. Be sure to select email as your preferred method of communication and maintain a valid, up-to-date email address. Applicants are also responsible for keeping their phone numbers and mailing addresses current in their online profiles.

Due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to provide individual updates. Please check your application status through your online account. For technical support, contact NEOGOV at (855) 524-5627, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (PST), excluding holidays.

Application Review & Processing
Allcurrent and prior relevant work experience—including experience with VTA—must be fully detailedin the Work Experience section of your application. Entries such as “see resume” are not acceptable. Incomplete or improperly completed applications may be rejected, even if you meet the minimum qualifications.

While you are welcome to upload a resume, it doesnot substitutefor completing the online application in full. Be sure that your application accurately reflects the education and experience necessary for the position.

Applications are reviewed throughout the recruitment process todeterminewhether candidates meet theminimum qualifications. Meeting these minimums or advancing through any stage does not guarantee further consideration. Any misrepresentation or falsification of qualifications, experience, education, or training may result in disqualification and/or exclusion from future employment opportunities with VTA.

This classification is represented by American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees(AFSCME). Wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment are governed by the applicable collective bargaining agreement between VTA and the union.

Tentative In Person Examinations:

Oral Panel: October 2, 2026*

*Please note this is a tentative date and is subject to change. 

Conditions of Employment

Final candidates must successfully complete a Livescan background check, reference checks, verification of education or certifications, and a criminal history review before appointment. 

For safety-sensitive positions, VTA requires all safety-sensitive positions to have a 6-month DOT physical clearance. Obtained at the time of preboarding from a VTA-contracted Concentra Location.

Eligibility List

The established Eligible List from this recruitment will be used to fill the current vacancies andadditionalvacancies that may occur. Eligible Lists typicallyremainin effect for six (6) months. However, Human Resources may abolish Eligible Lists at any time during the six (6) month period. Human Resources may extend eligible Lists for up to two (2) years. Eligible Lists may be used for more than one recruitment. 

Americans with Disabilities Act Accommodations

VTA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities in the recruitment and examination process. To request an accommodation, please contact the Human Resources Department at (408) 321-5575 or email [email protected] at least five business days before the test.

Veterans’ Preference Program

VTA welcomes and encourages the employment of veterans of the United States Armed Forces. Qualified veterans may be eligible to receiveadditionalveterans’ preference credit in the selection process for this recruitment.

To be considered for Veterans’ Preference credit, please attach a PDF copy of your DD Form 214 (Service Copy 2) or other official discharge documentation showing your enlistment and discharge dates and character of service (i.e., type of discharge) in the “Attachments” section of your application.  Applicants requesting preference based on a service-connected disability, please submit Standard Form 15 (SF-15) along with any required supporting documentation.

Veterans’ Preference credit will only be applied after the required documentation has been received and eligibility has been verified.

Equal Employment Opportunity

VTA is an equal employment opportunity employer. VTA does not and will not tolerate discrimination against applicants or employeeson the basis ofage, ancestry, color, marital status, mental or physical disability, genetic information, national, origin, immigration status, political affiliation, race, religion, creed, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, medical condition, disabled veteran or veteran status, etc.