The Chaffee Shuttle Board of Directors is seeking an Executive Director to direct, manage, and expand transit and mobility management services within Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) Transportation Planning Region (TPR) 8. Counties represented in the region include Alamosa, Chaffee, Conejos, Costilla, Mineral, Rio Grande, and Saguache Counties.
As a small and growing regional transit agency, the Chaffee Shuttle works with local, regional, and state agencies and organizations to develop transit services, prepare and manage grants for such services, incorporate transit service planning into community development plans, and provide transit and mobility management for all segments of the population.
Background:
The individual chosen to fulfill this role will work closely with local, regional, and state stakeholders to implement a Mobility Management Network in TPR 8 that will focus on community transit by improving the coordination, capacity, accessibility, quality, and sustainability of mobility services region-wide.
The individual chosen to fulfill this role will manage the existing services of the agency, while continuing to build a coordinated portfolio of services and improve the agency’s visibility and presence in the entire TPR 8.
Duties and Responsibilities:
• In coordination with each of the Region’s local government’s elected and appointed officials in the seven-county TPR, assist the TPR in developing and implementing a customer-centered approach to transit access and coordination in the TPR for older adults, low income families and individuals, people with disabilities, veterans, workforce commuters, tourists and visitors, and car owners looking to reduce their carbon footprint.
• Build relationships and coordinate with state, regional, and local officials, as well as with community leaders, to implement their transit needs; educate them about the needs, roles and benefits of regional/local transit services. Assist with interagency coordination efforts to implement the transit elements of the respective regional Comprehensive Plans, Human Services plans, housing plans, the CDOT TPR strategic plans, and other related plans and initiatives; develop relationships into funding and policy support for local and regional transit services.
• Participate in the Region 8 Regional Transit Council (RTC) by developing its organizational infrastructure and capacity to effectively fulfill its mission. Efforts will include strategic planning, financial strategies, communication, and RTC recruitment and retention.
• Develop relationships with transit-dependent and vulnerable populations in the region to address issues of access, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and ensure their voices are heard and their needs are addressed.
• Annually create and update an inventory of available transit services in the region to be used in marketing these services to the public and other non-transportation service providers (e.g. TANF Counselors, public health departments, medical facilities, senior centers, etc.).
• Research, develop, recommend, and manage strategies to increase transit ridership, including conducting outreach activities in the region to educate and train groups and individuals on how to access and use available transportation services.
• Prepare and facilitate community transit presentations to various groups, direct and oversee marketing and communications, including development and implementation of strategic marketing plans and campaigns, social media postings, and other strategic communications activities.
• Identify and research corporate, foundation, and governmental sources of funding for matching funds. Include opportunities to use “braided” funding streams. Ensure compliance with all grant required policies, procedures, and reporting.
• Work collaboratively with Chaffee Shuttle staff to develop goals and objectives to support the Shuttle’s mission statement; evaluate work methods and operations, policies, procedures, and services to determine effectiveness; communicate with Chaffee Shuttle staff on a continual basis; coach and mentor staff; meet regularly with staff to review various projects and programs.
• Supervise staff, including Transit Planner, Financial Manager, Transit Coordinator/Dispatcher, Maintenance Coordinator, Drivers, etc., as well as future positions as the agency expands; supervise consultants hired for short-term and long-term activities, such as marketing, planning studies, facility maintenance, vehicle maintenance, et al.
Education & Experience:
Bachelor’s degree (Master’s degree preferred) in Transportation/Transit, Urban/Community Planning, Human Services, Healthcare, or a related field, and at least two to four years of experience in community-based service, transit, planning, marketing and community outreach, or some combination thereof, including experience in public involvement and/or customer service. Conversational skills in Spanish are desirable, but not required.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, ability to listen effectively, leadership experience, ability to build and work in teams, empathy, conflict management skills, consensus-building skills, and ability to maintain confidential information and handle confidential matters.
• Project management, budgeting, strategic planning, short and long-range planning, funding/grant research, grant writing and reporting, data collection and basic analysis, outreach and marketing skills, and presentation skills.
• Positive attitude, a desire to help people, a focus on customer service, ability to problem solve, ability to work independently and collaboratively, time management skills, creative, out-of-the-box thinking, ability to adapt to ever-changing environments, ability to process complex information and explain it in a simplified format.
• Basic understanding of the role transportation plays in accessing employment opportunities, medical services, affordable housing, social destinations, etc., and the unique challenges faced by persons with disabilities, older adults, veterans, transitioning youth, low income individuals, other vulnerable populations, tourists and car owners looking to lower their carbon footprint, who may rely on transportation services.
• Proficient computer skills including Microsoft Office and basic familiarity with social media platforms and websites.
Related Skills:
• Familiarity with different transit modes and how they interact; familiarity with how transit services operate.
• Familiarity with how transit planning is done at federal, state, regional and/or local levels, including knowledge of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the CDOT, FTA grants and program administration, federal contracting procedures, and the CDOT TPR planning process.
• Familiarity with the development and implementation of a long-term vision as well as short and long-range plans for regional transit services.
• Experience conducting training for individuals or agencies.
• Basic understanding of policies and regulations that impact community transit services, including Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Medicaid, Medicare, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), etc.
• Human service transportation coordination experience or familiarity, including brokerage concepts and operations.
• Familiarity with technology integration, including various trip planning methods, assistive technology, and trip planning and wayfinding mobile applications.
Other Requirements:
This position requires a current, valid driver’s license. The position will require travel throughout the region, occasional long-distance travel, and occasional night meetings.
Supervision Received:
Work is performed under the general supervision of the Chaffee Shuttle Board of Directors and its programs and policies.
The Chaffee Shuttle is a nonprofit shared ride and public transit service with both fixed bus routes and door-to-door services in the seven-county San Luis Valley Transportation Planning Region (TPR) in rural south-central Colorado. Transportation is provided for medical appointments, work, shopping, and social activities throughout Chaffee County. Although our services are free, donations are appreciated and help ensure that we can maintain our operations for the community.
The Chaffee Shuttle, with the support of CDOT, is expanding services to meet the needs of our growing population, contribute to sustainability efforts of our communities, and contribute state efforts to the lowering of greenhouse gas emissions to protect our environment.
