Assistant Manager, Operations (Rail)

Please complete the application in its entirety. Include all previous employment so that it may be taken into consideration. Please include a resume attachment with submittal of your application. Resume should document months and years with your dates of employment. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received before the closing date and time listed.

At Regional Transportation District (RTD), We make lives better through connections!

When you join RTD, you will be among dedicated employees exhibiting RTD's values of passion, respect, diversity, trustworthiness, collaboration, and ownership. RTD is committed to an inclusive and diverse workplace. As part of our diversity value statement, we encourage our employees to honor diversity in thought, people, and experience. Come join RTD on this great journey to be the trusted leader in mobility, delivering excellence and value to our customers and community.

RTD Employee Benefits: https://www.rtd-denver.com/careers/benefits

(RTD Represented Employee Benefits: Please refer to the Labor Agreement included in the above link for details.)

This position is responsible for the management and oversight of rail delivery, ensuring safe, reliable and customer-focused service. This position leads rail operations personnel in executing strategic goals, objectives, and initiatives while ensuring compliance with rail operations policies, rules, plans, procedures, work instructions, and all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. This role requires strong leadership, collaboration, and decision-making skills to guide teams, sustain passenger rail vehicle maintenance efficiency, and uphold the principles of RTD.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Essential:

• Lead and develop staff through coaching, performance management, and consistent communication of expectations.
• Oversee daily rail operations, resolving operational issues and ensuring safe, reliable, customer‑focused service.
• Develop and maintain operational policies, rules, plans, procedures, and work instructions aligned with regulatory and industry standards.
• Direct emergency and degraded operations response, including on‑scene coordination during incidents and service disruptions.
• Manage safety programs, conduct incident investigations, and implement corrective actions to improve system safety and reliability.
• Coordinate with maintenance divisions to minimize service impacts from equipment failures, construction, and infrastructure work.
• Oversee operational testing, commissioning, and inspection of rail vehicles to ensure readiness and compliance.
• Analyze operational data, track KPIs, and prepare reports with recommendations to enhance performance and efficiency.
• Administer budgets, contracts, and vendor performance to support cost‑effective and compliant service delivery.
• Collaborate across departments and regulatory partners to support strategic planning, workforce development, and continuous improvement.

People Power Management:

• Maintain appropriate staffing levels and reviews progress to ensure the quality and quantity of work meet standards and deadlines for deliverables to meet program goals and objectives.
• Recruit staff to include interviewing, hiring, assigning work, training, coaching, and counseling to ensure consistent application of Employee Guidelines, processes, and procedures.
• Conduct performance reviews and holds employees accountable for optimal performance of their responsibilities.
• Foster a safety-first culture, prioritizing prevention, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Take action to advance the goals of Equal Employment Opportunity, Small/ Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Title VI and ADA Plans, thereby ensuring RTD's hiring programs, work environment, contracting and procurement practices, and transit services/programs are fair, equal, and non-discriminatory.

OTHER:

• Performs all other job-related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration or Transportation/Logistics required, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience.
• Three (3) years of progressive experience in rail operations. This includes developing and aligning operational processes for consistency and efficiency, leading initiatives to enhance service reliability and performance, overseeing rail service delivery strategies, and working directly with regulatory agencies.
• Two (2) years of supervisory experience in a rail operations environment, including experience with overseeing and integrating operational processes across multiple modes and service areas (e.g., bus, rail, and special services), delivering strategic initiatives, managing cross-functional teams, and coordinating complex rail service delivery activities.
• Experience with budget development, performance measurement, labor relations, and contract management.
• Demonstrated experience working with Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Federal Transit Administration (FTA), or other applicable regulatory agencies in a maintenance capacity.
• Must have a valid Colorado driver license or ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire, and the ability to travel between facilities.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Manage daily rail operations, ensuring safe, reliable, and customer‑focused operations.
• Apply industry best practices, analytics, and performance measures to improve service reliability and efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with FTA/FRA regulations, safety management systems, and risk‑mitigation requirements.
• Lead safety programs, oversee incident investigations, and implement corrective actions.
• Supervise staff through coaching, performance evaluations, and workforce development aligned with labor agreements.
• Develop and maintain operational policies, procedures, and work instructions that support consistent, compliant service delivery.
• Analyze operational data, track KPIs, and prepare reports with recommendations for performance improvement.
• Manage budgets, financial planning, cost control, and contract administration for service delivery operations.
• Coordinate emergency response, service restoration, and operational adjustments during disruptions or equipment failures.
• Collaborate with internal departments, regulatory agencies, and industry partners to support strategic planning and continuous improvement.
• Communicating complex operational concepts to a diverse audience, including executives, front-line employees, and external stakeholders.
• Adapting to emerging technologies and implementing innovations that enhance operations
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.
• Ability to use sound judgment.
• Ability to manage time and workload effectively, including planning, organizing, and prioritizing with attention to detail.

OTHER:

An equivalent combination of education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those required by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodations.

• Worker is subject to varying inside and/or outside temperatures, which may include extreme heat (temperatures above 100 degrees) or extreme cold (temperatures below 32 degrees).
• Work is performed both inside and outside. Subject to weather.
• Ability to independently travel between multiple locations as required by operational needs.

CAREER MAP:

Based on job performance, experience, education and position availability the next step on the career map for this position may be: Manager, Operations (Rail)   

This position is essential to core service delivery and reports onsite to the Service Unit location associated with this posting. The service unit operates 24/7/365. Work schedules will vary and may include nights, weekends, and holidays based on operational needs.
 
This recruitment is intended to fill specific vacant or newly established positions within the service unit. Current employees in the same job classification are not eligible to apply, as this posting is not intended for internal transfers between locations. Current employees can contact the Hiring Manager of the position with any questions related to internal transfers.

Posting Opens: June 23, 2026

Posting Closes: July 4, 2026

**We are considering all applications for this position until the position close date. For consideration, please be sure to apply on or before July 3, 2026.

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Pay Range:

$92,003.00 - $129,954.50 Annual

EEO POLICY AND ADA ACCOMMODATIONS 

RTD is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. All applicants will be considered for employment regardless to the race, sex, disability status or any other characteristic protected by law and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. RTD is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, promotions, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require a reasonable accommodation, please reach out to our Employment ADA Coordinator Kris Frazier at [email protected], or the Talent Acquisition team [email protected].

To learn more or see our EEO policy, please visit our EEO page at: https://www.rtd-denver.com/open-records/reports-and-policies/eeo-policy

RTD posts a compensation range that represents a good faith estimate of what RTD anticipates paying for the position at the time of posting.  Starting salary is based on the candidate’s relevant and verified education, training and work experience.  Applicants should submit all relevant and verifiable education, training and work experiences at the time of application.