Design Manager, Arterial Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)

We are the Metropolitan Council, the regional government for the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. We plan 30 years ahead for the future of the metropolitan area and provide regional transportation, wastewater, and housing services. More information about us on our website.

We are committed to supporting a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

The Metropolitan Council's Metro Transit Division is one of the country's largest transit systems, employs more than 3,000 people, and provides ridership through an integrated network of buses, light rail and commuter trains, as well as a resource for those who carpool, vanpool, walk or bike in the Twin Cities.

The Arterial Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) department is responsible for planning, design, and implementation of high-profile BRT corridor projects in the Twin Cities region, like the highly successful METRO A, B, C, D, and E lines. These projects bring fast, frequent, and high-quality transit service and customer facilities to the region's busiest bus routes in the core of the region. The current program of projects in active development includes the METRO F Line (Central), METRO G Line (Rice/Robert), and METRO H Line (Como/Maryland).

How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities region:

Reporting to the Senior Project Manager for Project Delivery, Arterial BRT, you'd lead a team responsible for engineering activities across design, construction, and activation for multiple high-profile transitway projects. This position is responsible for providing management and oversight for the arterial BRT engineering team; leading procurements, contract management and oversight; and developing plans, specifications, and estimates for arterial BRT construction projects valued at $20-70 million, ensuring all necessary actions meet Metro Transit's requirements for schedule, cost, quality, and safety related to project implementation.

Supervision / Management: Manage Metro Transit arterial BRT design staff in project engineering activities, including procurement of A/E & consultant services (RFP), corridor civil and systems design development, internal/external review of plans and specifications, procurement of construction contracts (IFB), and other project related functions. Has overall responsibility for team's project execution.

* In alignment with arterial BRT program goals and work plans, manage performance of design team: set clear expectations and accountability, develop work plans and goals, manage progress, remove barriers, coach for desired results, and clearly communicate feedback to develop and retain staff and achieve project goals.

* Develop positive coaching relationships, maintain ongoing communication, and meet regularly with direct report staff to provide support and oversight for project tasks, remove barriers to progress, and ensure accountability for project goals.

* Generate work plans for multiple projects/phases to define capital project staffing budgets for design staff positions.

* Meet bi-weekly with arterial BRT management team to report progress and barriers to project advancement, and define strategies to overcoming these barriers.

BRT Corridor Project Engineering: Manage engineering activities related to design of BRT projects, including working with other units of government, consultants and contractors, and internal staff.

* Develop scopes of work for engineering services, materials testing, and other engineering phase consultant contracts and direct work of consultant teams under contract to the Council, managing large and interdisciplinary work efforts valued at $10-20 million in engineering services per project.

* Lead coordination with internal stakeholders/customers and external agency staff, working to communicate BRT project goals, understand stakeholder needs and concerns, and seek consensus in design solutions while working within defined budget and schedule.

* Coordinate proactively with other arterial BRT project delivery staff including Project Managers, Agreements Lead, and Environmental Compliance Lead, to inform project decision-making related to design and construction phases.

* Develop plans, specifications, estimates, and other design documents for BRT projects, including civil, structural, traffic, and systems design disciplines, that comply with local / Council / State / Federal regulations. Manage design reviews at 0%, 30%, 60%, and 90% completion, tracking and resolving stakeholder comments to ensure internal/external buy-in and plan signoff.

Contract Management: Prepare and review/modify contract scopes of work, review proposals, recommend contract execution and administer contracts on behalf of Metro Transit, following all applicable procurement processes and procedures. Provide QA and QC oversight on contracts managed by supervised staff.

* Develop scope and budget for engineering/construction administration services contracts spanning preliminary design through project operations, working closely with internal BRT project management peers and Procurement, Grants, and Finance staff.

* Administer contract changes, including scope revisions, amendments, and maintain project control; manage scope, schedule, and budget of engineering contracts.

* Supervise and provide QA and QC oversight on contracts managed by supervised staff to ensure compliance with policies and procedures.

Procedures: Develop, modify, and ensure compliance with technical policies, procedures and standards for Metro Transit's BRT project activities in alignment with overall Metro Transit procedures.

* Apply applicable agency procedures to BRT engineering activities and ensure procedures are followed by direct report staff.

* Where existing procedures do not exist, develop best practice documentation and project-specific procedures to standardize approaches to common BRT issues (such as design checklists for standalone BRT station construction projects, temporary, or partial implementations).

* Identify and manage updates to documentation of arterial BRT design standards, engage internal / external stakeholders in updates as needed, and disseminate information clearly to stakeholders.

Construction Engineering: Serve (or supervise staff serving) as contract project manager during construction phase. Coordinate with peer Manager, Construction Services to resource construction-phase staffing between Council's Authorized Representative (CAR) and consultant staff.

* For projects directly managed, direct consultant development of Invitation for Bid (IFB) documents and lead procurement and contract award of construction contract. Review and approve change orders, invoices, schedule revisions, and other contract actions.

* For projects directly managed, serve as contract project manager for construction phase in close coordination with Manager, Construction Services and Council's Authorized Representative (CAR). Manage interdepartmental coordination and construction-phase activities from Information Services, Facilities Maintenance, Revenue Operations, Street Operations, Asset Management, and other departments to ensure project activities are completed on time and on budget.

* Supervise and provide QA and QC to direct report staff managing engineering on other projects in the above tasks.

Support pre-engineering project phases: Serve as BRT engineering subject matter expert for (a) BRT projects yet to enter engineering and (b) early coordination for BRT-ready street construction projects.

* Review corridor plan documents assembled by BRT planning staff to identify engineering/constructability risks, apply best practices in early siting, and advise on early station concepts.

* Identify future BRT-ready needs on externally-led street construction projects (by cities, counties, MnDOT, et al.) and lead negotiation of the early implementation of design needs outside of full BRT corridor advancement.

* Lead development of design document inputs on externally-led projects to coordinate placement of platforms, conduit, wiring, civil design details and other station requirements to minimize rework and maximize efficiency of public investment. Ensure project components are constructed according to Metro Transit standards.

Any of the following combinations of experience in multi-discipline engineering or architectural project management of capital construction projects and completed education in Engineering, Architecture, Transportation Planning, or related industry. Experience must include three (3) years of supervisory experience or project team leadership

• High School diploma/GED with ten (10) years of experience
• Associate's degree AND eight (8) years of experience
• Bachelor's degree AND six (6) years of experience
• Master's degree AND four (4) years of experience

Licenses:

• Valid drivers' license and good driving record.
• Professional Engineering/Architecture registration from the State of Minnesota or ability to obtain such registration within six months from the date of employment.

• Experience in the design and construction of public transportation facilities, urban streets, and/or intelligent transportation systems
• Skills in performance management and performance coaching.
• Skills in project management and coordination of multiple disciplines.
• Experience and technical knowledge in the preparation of plans and specifications.
• Experience in leading and facilitating meetings with very complex and detailed materials.

• Knowledge of or aptitude to learn the geography and transit system of the Twin Cities. A thorough understanding of the current regional transit system is critical to successfully execute job duties. This can be learned, but strong experience using the current system, and attention to detail on how the system could be improved will make the difference between adequate and exceptional performance of job responsibilities.

• Ability to work with municipalities, metropolitan agencies, community groups and the public.
• Experience with Microsoft Office365 tools (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, SharePoint, etc.).
• Experience working with diverse populations and understanding the value different experiences bring to the workplace.
• Interest in and enthusiasm for public transit.

• Knowledge of bus rapid transit and urban street design / engineering principles, best practices, and technical resources and tools.

• Knowledge of bus transit and/or urban street construction practices.
• Knowledge of contract preparation, negotiation, and administration in the areas of construction, architectural/engineering, and other professional/technical services.
• Knowledge of project management tools, practices, and principles.

• Skills in researching engineering and design issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations and preparing and presenting effective staff reports.

• Skills in verbal and written communication, including writing concisely and presenting to large groups.
• Skills in Microsoft Office Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook to clearly communicate project needs and fulfill business practices.
• Skills in budget development and management.
• Ability to persuasively and clearly communicate in multiple forms and with different audiences to gain consensus between divergent points of view, while establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with all relevant stakeholders.
• Ability to exercise sound professional judgment and consistently and effectively apply the policy guidelines of the Council.
• Ability to manage, prioritize, and deploy direct report staff resources to most urgent department priorities, efficiently delegating and addressing necessary workload to accomplish project and department objectives.
• Ability to motivate, coach, clearly define expectations, and hold accountable professional staff in order to develop and retain a talented team and ensure completion of project goals.
• Ability to organize and readily recall a broad array of project technical details, schedules, budgets, and stakeholders.

What you can expect from us:

• We offer the opportunity to make a difference and positively influence the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
• We encourage our employees to develop their skills through on-site training and tuition reimbursement.
• We provide a competitive salary, excellent benefits and a good work/life balance.

More about why you should join us!

Union/Grade: TMSA/Grade J
FLSA Status: Exempt
Safety Sensitive: No

What your work environment would be:

The majority of the work is performed in a standard office setting. Some duties may require work to be performed at off site work locations (e.g., field inspections) where the position may be exposed to moving parts, fumes, airborne particles, outdoor weather conditions and vibration. Confined space entry at industry and various facilities is required.

Physical Requirements:
Regularly required to sit for long periods, stand/walk occasionally, around moderate noise, speak, hear normal conversation and telephone ring tones, operate a computer and other office equipment, reach with hands/arms frequently below chest height and occasionally overhead, must occasionally lift/carry/push/pull up to 10 pounds, must have adequate close vision for reading and computer work, as well as distance, color, and peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

What steps the recruitment process involves:
1. We review your minimum qualifications.
2. We rate your education and experience.
3. We conduct a structured panel interview.
4. We conduct a selection interview.

If you are new to the Metropolitan Council,you must pass a background check, which verifies education and employment, covers driving record and any criminal record. If you have a criminal conviction, you do not automatically fail. The Metropolitan Council considers felony, gross misdemeanor and misdemeanor convictions on a case-by-case basis, based on whether they are related to the job and whether the candidate has demonstrated adequate rehabilitation.

If you are already an employee of the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a background check which verifies education and employment if not verified previously. If the job you're applying for is safety-sensitive, is a supervisory or management job, is in the Finance, Information Services, Audit, or Human Resources departments, or has access to financial records, files/databases, cash, vouchers or transit fare cards, you must pass a pass a criminal background check. If you have a criminal conviction, you do not automatically fail. The Metropolitan Council considers felony, gross misdemeanor, and misdemeanor convictions on a case-by-case basis, based on whether they are related to the job and whether the candidate has demonstrated adequate rehabilitation.

IMPORTANT: If you make a false statement or withhold information, you may be barred from job consideration.

The Metropolitan Council is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and veteran-friendly employer. The Council is committed to a workforce that reflects the diversity of the region and strongly encourages persons of color, members of the LGBTQ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply.

If you have a disability that requires an accommodation during the selection process, please email HR-OCCHealth@metc.state.mn.us.