PLTO Deputy Director of Operations: Riverdale, MD

Reports To: Director of Operations

Salary Range: $140,000 - $150,000

Competitive Benefits Package: Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, Paid Leaves Program, and 401K Plan.

SUMMARY

Purple Line Transit Operators (PLTO) is a member of a private consortium (Purple Line Transit Partners) which holds a Public-Private Partnership (P3) contract with the Maryland Department of Transportation/Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT/MTA) for the design, construction, operation, maintenance, and financing of the Purple Line, a new 16 mile/21 station light rail transit line located in Montgomery County and Prince George’s County, Maryland. (https://www.purplelinemd.com/). PLTO’s role in the Project is for the Operations and Maintenance (O&M) of the Purple Line for a 30-year O&M Period after the service opens to the public, currently scheduled for winter 2027. Prior to this opening, PLTO is responsible for participating in system design, testing, and service start-up activities; conducting certain facilities and equipment maintenance scopes; and building the organization which will perform the O&M Period activities.

PLTO is a joint venture of two companies: Alternate Concepts, Inc (ACI) and CAF USA, Inc. (CAF). ACI is an industry leader in mass transit operations and maintenance and is the O&M provider for the only two Design-Build-Operate-and-Maintain (DBOM)/Design-Build-Finance-Operate-and-Maintain (DBFOM) transit projects in the U.S: Tren Urbano in San Juan, Puerto Rico and Eagle P3 in Denver, Colorado. CAF USA, Inc. (a division of the international Spanish railway manufacturer Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles) designs, manufactures, maintains, and supplies equipment and components for railway systems and is a certified rail maintenance organization with a presence on five continents.

On behalf of PLTO, ACI is conducting this recruitment for a Deputy Director of Operations which has been identified as a key position that is needed as PLTO builds the organizational capacity to perform its 30-year O&M scope. The Deputy Director of Operations will be responsible for overseeing the delivery of safe and efficient fixed-route transit services and ensuring optimal service performance. This position helps the Director of Operations lead the Operations Department, monitors key performance indicators, and develops methods to utilize equipment and workforce resources effectively. This position directly supervises and provides performance feedback and training to a team of Operations Control Center Supervisors and Field Supervisors.

The position of Deputy Director of Operations will continue from the current pre-operational phase of the Purple Line project into the 30-year O&M Period and will be part of the permanent PLTO organization. We are seeking a committed individual with demonstrated leadership ability to guide and manage the operation during Dynamic Testing, Trial Running, and the O&M Period.

Responsibilities:

During the pre-operational phase of the project, the Deputy Director of Operations, as part of the O&M Team, will be instrumental in managing LRV Operators and Dispatchers during the Dynamic Testing of LRVs on the Test Track and eventually on the full alignment as it is constructed and commissioned. During the pre-operational phase of the project, the Deputy Director of Operations will have additional responsibilities to cover other needs until the permanent PLTO organization is fully hired. The Deputy Director of Operations will be expected to perform the following tasks, among others:

• Supervise and perform dispatching of LRVs for Dynamic Testing on the Test Track.
• Participate in reviewing Control and Monitoring System designs as they are finalized and implemented. Provide input from an operations perspective based on experience and industry knowledge.
• Coordinate with ongoing integration testing of various systems by the Design-Build Contractor.
• Develop SOPs and Submittals related to operations of the Purple Line.
• Operate the LRVs and auxiliary equipment (e.g., battery-powered LRV mover) as needed.
• While the organization is growing, participate in trainings about various topics, including but not limited to operating an LRV and using the Control and Monitoring System, and help transfer knowledge from the trainings to new staff as they are hired.

During the O&M Period, the Deputy Director of Operations will:

• Provide oversight and leadership of the day-to-day operations and management functions including the Operations Control Center (OCC), daily scheduling, operations payroll, field supervision, clerical functions, personnel management, service management, and emergency response. Monitor overall system operations to ensure resources such as vehicles and staff are adequate and deployed efficiently to address service issues as needed. Ensure proper staff coverage and recruitment planning at all levels of the Operations Department.
• Ensure system emergencies and service recovery are handled properly and efficiently by staff and timely communication to senior management and executive leadership as appropriate.
• Monitor service quality both from the office and in the field to proactively identify and address operational deficiencies and customer pain points. Maintain and promote best-in-class service for our customers.
• Monitor staffing levels and support the staffing and recruitment of the operations workforce. Help identify innovative ways to attract a qualified talent pool and work with Human Resources on recruitment strategies.
• Work closely with Manager of Vehicle Maintenance to support operational service needs, fleet availability/downtime, and maintenance issues affecting operational services.
• Identify and support opportunities for remedial, reinforcement, and refresher training needs in conjunction with the Safety & Security and Training areas.
• Create and/or recommend new policies and procedures for continuous improvement of services. Develop, review, and update departmental policies, procedures, and manuals.
• Review daily reports and documentation from operations support staff, such as event reports and personnel documentation, to ensure accuracy and completion.
• Provide regular coaching, guidance, and feedback to operations support staff.
• Ensure compliance with the collective bargaining agreement (CBA), Company handbook, relevant SOPs and operations manuals, and all applicable Local, State, and Federal laws and regulations at all levels of the Department.
• Working in conjunction with the Director of Operations, identify and research trends affecting the principles of safety, service, schedule, and operational efficiency as it relates to the transit system. Recommend changes and improvements to the General Manager.
• Working in conjunction with the Director of Operations, report Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), department statistics, and overall performance to the General Manager.
• Support the development, administration, and monitoring of the department budget, capital requirements, and workforce levels.
• Act as an ambassador to the public, providing on-site resources and information as needed, and advising passengers of rules and regulations when necessary.
• Attends company meetings and events and serves as the designee for the Director of Operations as needed.
• Prepare written communication via emails, memorandums, and other general operations correspondence with all levels of management and operations staff.
• When needed, assist with supervisory duties, dispatching, and workforce scheduling.
• Cooperatively and efficiently perform related tasks and duties as required.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Desired Qualifications:

• Relevant operations experience on rail or transit systems of a similar nature, size, and complexity for a minimum of 15 years, with no less than 10 years in a management or supervisory position.

• Experience working as a transit operator or supervisor preferred.
• Experience working in a union environment is strongly preferred.
• Deep understanding of fixed route transit operations and service area.
• Proficiency in transit rules and regulations (FTA, DOT, OSHA).
• Computer skills with Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Teams) for transit-related tasks.
• Clear and effective communication (written and oral) for guidance, mentorship, and instruction.
• Ability to interpret and enforce company policies, procedures, and CBA.
• Strong data collection and dissemination skills.
• Excellent customer relations and employee motivation skills.
• Collaborative work ethic and ability to build relationships.
• Independent decision-making within delegated scope.
• Must be eligible to work in the U.S. and successfully pass a pre-employment background check.
• Must pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol test and be willing to comply with the ACI/PLTO Drug and Alcohol Policy.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, and sit for periods of time varying in length, walk up and down stairs, and lift and/or move up to 40 pounds.

Work Environment

Successful candidates will be expected to work in a hybrid workplace where frequent field visits, in-office presence, and some remote work may be combined. Some travel may be required to collaborate with partners. While performing the duties of this job (while in the field), the employee must be aware of his/her surroundings and may be exposed to outside weather conditions, moving mechanical systems, and building components as well as varying noise levels both within the rail maintenance yards and inside the Operations and Maintenance Facility (“OMF”). Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is always required while in the field and in construction zones.

ACI reserves the right to revise this job description from time to time. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed and are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of employees assigned to this job.

ACI is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. We recruit, hire, train and promote persons in all job classifications and ensure that all other personnel actions are administered without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, gender, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Alternate Concepts Inc is currently searching for qualified candidates to fill the Deputy Director of Operations position. All interested parties should submit a cover letter and resume to jobs@pltollc.com