General Manager (Chief Executive Officer)

INTERCITY TRANSIT IS SEEKING A NEW GENERAL MANAGER/CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER! 

Intercity Transit is an innovative, growing, and nationally recognized large urban transit system based in Olympia, Washington. We are a voter approved municipal corporation and are governed by an Authority Board that consists of elected officials, community representatives and a non-voting labor representative.

Our mission is to provide and promote transportation choices that support an accessible, sustainable, livable, healthy, and prosperous community.

We provide zero-fare public transportation that includes fixed route transit and ADA paratransit services. We also provide vanpool service to individuals who live and work in the greater Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, and Yelm communities.

We are seeking a General Manager/Chief Executive Officer to champion Intercity Transit’s mission and vision and partner with the community to develop and maintain a robust transit system that meets the diverse needs of our customers and community partners.

The General Manager provides vision, operational, and administrative leadership to ensure effective strategic planning and service delivery.

In collaboration with the Authority Board, Community Advisory Council, local community leaders and the legislature, the position works to remove transportation barriers, expand service delivery and meet the unique needs of the public.

The General Manager is responsible for the agency ’s $182 million budget and 481 full-time employees.

They build trust and strategic relationships, advocate for the agency’s dedicated staff and foster an inclusive environment where every employee has the skills and resources to succeed.

A successful GM/CEO at Intercity Transit will:

• Lead by example and operate at the highest level of integrity while building trusting relationships with employees and labor partners.
• Serve as a public servant with strong sense of ethic and practice sound fiscal responsibility with public funds.
• Provide leadership in maintaining a welcoming work environment that encourages a culture of inclusion, continuous improvement, performance management,
  communication, accountability, and collaborative problem solving.
• Embrace a shared executive leadership model while modeling a healthy work life balance.
• Build relationships with community-based organizations, local businesses, educational institutions, and other community stakeholders to strengthen Intercity Transit's community presence and understanding of its service.
• Provide strategic direction for the agency with an ability to inspire employees to embrace a long-term vision.
• Be bold and innovative – embrace new technology, explore new ideas, engage in non-traditional transit opportunities, and not be afraid to make tough decisions.

It's an exciting time to join Intercity Transit!

Intercity Transit is a leader, major advocate, and prime source of information for public transportation in Thurston County. Our service area covers approximately 100 miles and has a population of 200,000 residents.

Intercity Transit’s ambitious short- and long-range plans include expanding service to underserved populations, developing bus rapid transit, leveraging Intercity Transit’s Zero- Fare demonstration project to increase ridership and remove transportation barriers for the entire community, and reducing emissions by expanding the use of hybrid and zero emission vehicles.

We believe public transportation is vital to the quality of life and economic vitality of Thurston County. We are passionate about providing excellent service and are committed to maintaining our reputation as an employer of choice in Thurston County. 

We have just completed moving to our new state-of-the-art building! The next phase of this project will be a significant renovation of our Maintenance building.

As the General Manager, you will:

• Provide leadership, vision, and effective management for fixed route, paratransit, operational, and administrative services.
• Establish strategic goals and innovative solutions.
• Ensure objectives are met in alignment with the Authority Board direct on, legal requirements, and agency mission, and Strategic Plan 2023-2028.
• Build support for funding and transit programs by building relationships and collaborating with elected officials and staff, local businesses, the media, and organized labor.
• Effectively coordinate with other jurisdictions including Federal Transit Administration, WSDOT, and the Cities of Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater and Yelm.
• Provide the Authority Board with detailed information and data-driven recommendations concerning agency operations, services and activities.
• Develop agency’s annual legislative program.
• Represent the agency and the Authority before local, regional, state, and federal agencies and other interested parties providing information and professional consultation on matters pertaining to programs and services of the Agency.
• Chair and conduct a variety of meetings; serve on committees; make effective presentations at meetings, conferences and other events.
• Create an inclusive, organizational culture that empowers and engages staff, encourages innovation, and instills trust. 
• Provide leadership in human resources policies and initiatives, including the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements.

Are you the one we are looking for?

• Bachelor's degree in public administration, business, transportation planning or a closely related field.
• Ten (10) years of progressively responsible management-level transportation experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.  

In addition, the ideal candidate will have the following essential knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Executive level communication skills including political acumen and diplomacy.
• Ability to establish trust and build relationships, which includes representing the agency to legislators, civic groups, regulatory agencies, and other jurisdictions. 
• Develop strategic plans, agency goals and objectives.
• Maintain an active role in National and Regional transit organizations and in regional leadership. 
• Best practices in management principles.
• Knowledge of transit operations, laws and regulations pertaining to transit, labor contracts and employment laws.
• Collaborative decision-making Providing leadership and inspiration to agency staff.
• Actively support diversity, equity and inclusion in the operation and administration of the agency.
• Build a culture of inclusion where staff are empowered to be creative and innovative.
• Local economy and transportation infrastructure.
• Federal and state laws pertaining to public transportation.
• Visionary leadership that fosters innovation and creativity.
• Procurement/contract policies and best practices.
• Budget management and development principles and best practices.
• Proven ability to deliver results.

What's in it for you?

• Lead an exceptional agency filled with great people and an unmatched culture.
• Receive a competitive salary of $188,000 - $220,000 annually.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, benefits.
• Retirement contributions to Washington State Public Employee’ Retirement System (PERS).
• Generous vacation and sick leave along with observed floating holiday leave.
• Deferred compensation options with a 6.2% employer match.
• $420 Cell Phone allowance paid semi-annually.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Teleworking and flexible schedule options.
• Educational benefits.
• Alternate transportation incentives – for employees using alternate options to travel to and from work such transit, cycling, carpooling, and walking. 

Ready to jump on board?

To submit your application, hit "Apply". You will be prompted to log in or set up a Governmentjobs.com account. Your application must include an attached cover letter and resume.  If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV at (855) 524-5627.

Candidates are encouraged to apply before the first screening on September 18, 2023.
 

Finalists for this position will participate in interviews, Authority Board and staff engagement opportunities, and be subject to a background check.  To view the full General Manager recruitment brochure, click here. (Download PDF reader) 

Intercity Transit is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our goal is to have a diverse workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds in the community we serve.