The Department of Transportation Planning of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) is seeking a program manager to provide project management and team supervision activities related to the Commuter Connections Regional Transportation Demand Management (TDM) program for the metropolitan Washington, DC region.

SUMMARY

The program is primarily funded by multiple state Departments of Transportation, with approval designated by the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB), which is the agency designated under federal law as the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the Washington, DC region.

DESCRIPTION

The successful candidate for this position would bring a combination of project management skills, coordination capabilities, and technical expertise to manage regional TDM activities that serve the TPB's local government members. Successful TDM program management will require planning and programming of future year activities; budgetary control of current work; and effective supervision of a team of professional and support staff members to achieve program goals.

This position coordinates with internal and external stakeholders to generate a strategic vision for the Commuter Connections TDM Program, which is then used to populate an annual work program of products and services to be completed by the program. Commuter Connections is tasked with implementing regional public commuter programs, including ridematching for carpools and vanpools, Guaranteed Ride Home, administering commuter cash incentives, and TDM employer outreach. Complimentary elements include regional TDM mass marketing and special events, such as the regional Bike to Work Day and Car Free Day events, for which the TDM Program Manager will coordinate with the TDM Marketing Manager to develop and administer.

Daily tasks for the TDM Program Manager will require a deep knowledge and understanding of TDM programs. This position oversees daily commuter program operations. As such, a detailed understanding of Commuter Connections programs' guidelines, administrative procedures, and performance metrics is critical for successful implementation. Customer and client support, data collection, report generation, regional stakeholder coordination, contractor oversight, budget monitoring, and supervisory tasks are daily responsibilities that are expected of the position.

EXAMPLES OF WORK

Coordinate with the Program Director and the Commuter Connections Subcommittee to generate the Commuter Connections Strategic Plan and update the annual Commuter Connections Work Program accordingly.

Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for Commuter Connections programs.

Supervise and lead a team of TDM program specialists. Manage team by providing input and guidance to support team members' work. Conduct annual performance appraisals. Assist Program Director in onboarding new staff, when needed.

Serve as staff lead to the Commuter Connections Ridematching Committee, a group of network members who utilize the proprietary Commuter Connections TDM System to administer TDM programs in local jurisdictions throughout the Washington, DC region. This includes hosting quarterly meetings and providing technical training of the Commuter Connections TDM System to committee members. Build consensus and navigate local jurisdiction interests to inspire buy-in to regional TDM priorities and programs. Support other Commuter Connections committees and work groups, as-needed.

Oversee contractual work performed by an array of third parties. Develop and review scopes of work (SOW). Collaborate with COG's procurement team to issue contracts and/or contract amendments. Monitor work conducted by contractors and provide guidance, as needed.

Engage in procurement activities for the program, including requesting vendor quotes and authoring Requests for Proposals.

Coordinate with the Program Director to develop budgets for program elements and sub-tasks. Track expenditures and process vendor invoices.

Assist in the execution of regional TDM Evaluation project for Commuter Connections. Collect data and report at monthly, quarterly, and annual frequencies to interested stakeholders.

Report annually to the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) National Transit Database (NTD) as part of the Commuter Connections 'Pool Rewards Vanpool Subsidy program.

Assists in the development, implementation and monitoring of new or expanded transportation operations projects and programs, including writing grant applications for discretionary federal funding opportunities. Serve as Primary Investigator (PI) for any projects where discretionary grant dollars are awarded.

Establishes and maintains excellent contacts and working relationships with public and private sector agencies and organizations as appropriate.

Makes presentations of significant activities to the committee groups as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Manages employees within the Transportation Operations Programs team. Is responsible for daily direction, coordination, and evaluation of assigned program staff and contractors. Responsibilities include assisting Program Director with interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Comprehensive knowledge and experience with a variety of operational and Transportation Demand Management commute projects and programs. Ability to manage several complex, multi-part programs. Ability to speak and write with clarity and effectiveness. Strong consensus-building skills are required. Ability to assist Director in seeking out, sustaining and expanding funding for transportation program operation projects where appropriate.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in development, management and promotion of operational transportation projects or programs with a staff; experience in administering federally funded projects, general understanding of the urban transportation planning process and the relationship of alternative commute programs to the goals and objectives of the process. Master's degree in City and Regional Planning, Public Policy, Public Administration, Transportation Planning, or related field, or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

COMPUTER KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Strong skills required for Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Planner). Experience with WordPress and/or SharePoint to support limited updates to existing websites (e.g., photo or text changes).

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, community leaders, and members. Ability to write reports and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format. Ability to effectively present information to management, committees, public groups, and/or board of directors.

TELEWORK

COG currently operates in a "hybrid" manner, where an employee may be eligible to telecommute up to two days per week, pending supervisor and Executive Director approval.

Salary depends on qualifications. Salary Range: $102,871 - $120,000