Uniquely placed as members of the Chief Operating Officer’s extended staff, join a team at the center of WMATA’s ongoing initiatives to improve efficiency, safety and customer service. You will be gathering and analyzing a broad range of data, designing solutions to critical problems, and communicating with people at all levels of the organization. A fantastic opportunity to serve the people of the greater Washington area, and to be a part of a new, innovative team working to solve some of the most complex and challenging problems in the transit industry.

Image courtesy: WMATA

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education 
•    Bachelor’s degree in Statistics, Business Administration or related field

Experience 
•    1-3 years of work experience (including internships) performing Data Science, Statistical or Industrial Engineering related work activities

Certification/Licensure 
•    N/A

Preferred
•    Master’s Degree
•    Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification

Click here to learn more and to apply

Glad to share this announcement – Purple Line Implementation Manager @ Montgomery County, Maryland. What an interesting project! This is a very exciting opportunity for someone with transit experience. Please note that the application deadline is Aug 18, 2016. Good luck!

Photo by Elvert Barnes

The Special Projects Officer will assist with the implementation of Metro’s approved Public Participation Plan (PPP) to improve two way communication to boost inclusiveness of the public for all major initiatives.   This position will develop communications plans as well as plan and host opportunities for riders, the public, community organizations, advocacy groups, and special interest groups to provide feedback on major service, capital projects, and policy initiatives under consideration at Metro.

This position will schedule, coordinate and track public activities and ensure outreach is conducted in the appropriate service areas.  Traditionally hard-to-reach populations must be engaged.  This position will also serve as a brand ambassador for Metro at a wide variety of events and meetings, which includes setting up events, giving presentations, taking surveys and other communication strategies.

The ideal candidate is a self-starter and well organized. Has experience working with community groups and non-profits; understands minority, ethnic and religious populations and possesses a high level of cultural sensitivity.  Candidate also has excellent presentation skills, is comfortable in front of large and small crowds and has the ability to simplify complex information based on the audience.  Additional preferences include bilingual, flexible work schedule (evenings, weekends, and early mornings), valid driver’s license and ability to lift 25lbs.

www.wmata.com/careers  JOB ID: 141282

Photo by Elvert Barnes

Metro’s Office of Planning is hiring a planner for its Regional Planning branch. The job description and information on how to apply can be found on the WMATA Careers page and the job code is 141283. The job will be open until 11:59pm on 12/24/14.

About the position:

The open position is within the Regional Planning (REGP) program area in Metro’s Office of Planning. The REGP program area focuses on developing and executing the Authority’s long-range regional transit system plan and advocating for Metro’s short and long-term infrastructure and operational needs at local, regional, and state levels, with an emphasis on ensuring integration of Metro’s plans across all the ongoing planning activities in the region. Planners in this position manage long-range planning projects, prepare technical reports/presentations, represent Metro at project stakeholder meetings, and analyze/recommend regional transit policy.  The successful candidate will possess extensive capabilities in regional planning, possess strong communications skills, and be able to represent Metro across the region. The applicant will be particularly skilled at translating highly technical information into written documents, graphics, and presentations that are easily digested by a wide range of audiences. Knowledge in the areas of regional transportation planning and forecasting, the metropolitan planning process, transit funding options and considerations, and project evaluation and alternatives analysis is strongly preferred.

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OFFICE OF PERFORMANCE: SR. PERFORMANCE ANALYST (#140519)

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)
WMATA provides transit services in the National Capital Region covering a 1,500 square mile area  (5 million residents) including Washington, D.C.,  two suburban counties in Maryland, and three counties and three cities in Northern Virginia. WMATA operates the second largest heavy rail transit system, sixth largest bus network and fifth largest paratransit service in the United States.

The Office of Performance was established in 2009 to bring a performance-based management approach to the agency, increase Metro’s accountability and transparency and respond to the national focus on performance measures. The office serves as an internal consulting team working across the agency to develop tools that turn data into information, tackle areas facing performance challenges and effectively communicate results. The Office of Performance has also developed external performance material including the Vital Signs Report and scorecard to track progress towards WMATA’s strategic goals (Scorecard).

Sr. Performance Analysts Responsibilities
As a member of the Office of Performance, this position will assist in the formation of a range of performance products to expand the use performance information to guide decision making, promote WMATA’s benefits in the region and to unify employees toward achieving the agency’s strategic goals. The Senior Analyst will serve as the primary liaison between departments responsible for delivering and maintaining rail, bus and paratransit services. The incumbent will be responsible for collecting, analyzing, documenting, and communicating performance information in cooperation with other departments. Through cross-agency collaboration, the overall purpose of this position is to improve the safety, reliability and quality of WMATA services. The Senior Performance analyst will operate with broad latitude and independent judgment under the guidance from the Director of the Office of Performance.

We are looking for someone who can effectively work in an unstructured fast paced environment by applying strong analytical and communication skills with strategic thinking.

Salary Range
$88,700 to $133,000; plus excellent benefits package.

TO APPLY
Please see WMATA website for full information and to submit an application and resume

Via @YPTransportation

Reference 130316 or search for ‘Sustainability’ on WMATA’s career site

Note the 3/21/13 closing date.

Responsibilities:

This is a high level professional and technical position involving the development and analysis in support of Authority-wide sustainability planning, initiative development, and performance measurement. Incumbent uses innovative analysis, corporate/transit best practices, and in-depth evaluation. The incumbent analyzes current performance, identifies new business models and markets, develops implementation strategies and plans, and provides project management support.

Results provide refined critical information to enable effective organizational decision making, performance management, and leadership. Incumbent communicates regularly with executive staff and other Authority personnel. Incumbent conducts special studies to ensure efficient management of resources. Incumbent produces presentations that communicate Authority¿s stance and leadership in sustainability practice.

English: Washington, DC Metro logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

MAJOR DUTIES:

• Develops, evaluates, and supports sustainability initiatives, programs, policies, and procedures for the Authority.
•  Independently conducts analytical studies.
• Serves as a project analyst and provides project management support to resolve problems and to meet PLAN objectives and Authority strategic goals.
• Conducts special studies focusing on life-cycle costing, cost benefit analysis, and return on investment calculations for potential investments.
• Researches and summarizes selected policy areas related to sustainability.
• Prepares reports on transit issues such as sustainability best practices, impacts of transit on regional sustainability, and summarizes selected policy and technical areas related to sustainability innovations in the transit industry.
• Researches and drafts responses to inquiries from members of Congress; federal, state, regional, and local officials; the Board of Directors; and the public.
• Prepares and presents reports and recommendations for a variety of internal and external customers.
• Attends meetings, hearings, high-level planning sessions, and other activities essential to the execution of the functional responsibilities of PLAN.
•  Maintains effective working relationships with individuals and organizations with whom interface and cooperation are required.

The above duties and responsibilities are not intended to limit specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. It is not intended to limit in any way the right of supervisors to assign, direct and control the work of employees under their supervision.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of sustainable business practice and sustainable development.
• Knowledge of and experience in leading interdisciplinary teams to facilitate effective policy and initiative planning, development, implementation, and support.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of strategic business planning, performance metrics, and innovation management.
• Knowledge of financial analysis including: life-cycle costing, cost benefit analysis, return on investment calculation.
• Knowledge of the sustainability and environmental policy context in which transit systems operate. Familiarity with sustainable design, green building, and energy planning in a transit context.
• Knowledge of public transit principles and practices and the application of new technology and other innovations to transit agencies.
• Demonstrated success in completing difficult assignments, displaying innovative solutions to complex problems.
• Ability to acquire and maintain current knowledge of major transit systems and changes in the public transportation field that may be of benefit to the attainment of the Authority’s goals and objectives.
• Ability to effectively analyze and present findings on various assigned studies.
• Ability to prepare concise technical reports and engaging presentations for a variety of internal and external customers.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of management and organizations with who interface and cooperation are required.
• Ability to communicate effectively at all levels of the organization.

The employee performs moderately difficult administrative and office management work assignments for the head of an entity whose staff consists of one or more subordinate branch management level persons who are responsible for key functions and/or programs. Incumbents in this class perform a full range of administrative support duties which affects the efficacy of work processes performed by others. Contacts are maintained with members of other departments with whom the Director level maintains working relationships. Some situations require the use of persuasion and tact to maintain the Director¿s viewpoint. Written guidelines are generally available, but require interpretation.

To be considered for the position, you must meet minimum qualifications. It is, therefore, very important for you to include on your application any education/experience you have had that is described in the minimum qualifications. Incomplete information may delay the assessment process.

Qualifications

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in planning, public policy, business administration, or related field. A Master¿s degree preferred. A minimum of five (5) years progressively responsible experience in sustainable business practices, sustainable development, or related field.

MEDICAL GROUP:

Ability to satisfactorily complete the medical examination for this position. The incumbent must be able to perform the essential functions of this position either with or without reasonable accommodations.

High School Diploma or GED and a minimum of 5 years experience in office management activities that involved providing administrative/secretarial services within a diverse organizational entity. Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in word processing on the standard software currently in use by the Authority based on a computerized word processing skills evaluation which measures efficiency at various levels; demonstrate proficiency in communication and clerical skills based on a computerized skills evaluation which measures proficiency in spelling, punctuation, capitalization and grammar.

Evaluation Criteria

Evaluation criteria may include one or more of the following:

1. Education, training and experience
2. Personal Interview
3. Medical examination which may include alcohol and drug testing
4. Performance attendance record
5. Background check to include criminal, education, work and driver’s record

Closing Statement

Posted salary ranges and offers are subject to Union contract agreements and Metro salary administration guidelines. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority is an equal opportunity employer, and encourages applications from minorities, females and persons with disabilities.

Please apply before: 03/21/2013

Reference 130316 or search for ‘Sustainability’ on WMATA’s career site

Just a couple of hours ago, the premier transit agency in the nation’s capitol (WMATA) suffered a serious service outage on one of the heavily traveled train lines (Green Line). The abrupt disruptions have left many commuters stranded without a way out of the Navy Yard (and Anacostia) area, a major hub for riders employed at many of the facilities, including the US Department of Transportation, situated in the vicinity.   Though it was an unexpected situation, #WMATA was a bit slow to respond and got customers ticked (to put it lightly). And the customers have already taken to using social media sharing pics. and tweets from the scene.  To WMATA’s credit, the communications team at the agency was trying its best to deal with the situation, which is a bit more heartening than how they did in similar situations in the past.  Here is a sample of what’s happening on Twitter as we speak :

A sample of  what’s happening at Twitter hashtag #WMATA

Looks like it is going to be a long night for all involved, esp. for the communications team at WMATA.  Hope they learn sooner than later to deal with/cool down their customers before they all start flocking to their personal automobiles to get around the town.

The video from Reason.TV  says it all. .  For those who care to read, check the Reason Foundation’s blog  post, which gives a good idea of what is  wrong with DC’s WMATA and its escalator management..

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ioHIlPgOS4′]

And seen below a customer’s creative and preemptive response for the agency’s yet-to-begin-customer survey.  After seeing the video above, don’t you think he and other riders like him are shelling $$ on this system are justified to deliver such a verdit  (actually the video doesn’t even address the plethora of other problems beyond the elevators and escalators that is plaguing the system) I’m sure many rider in the DC metropolitan area feel the same way..

Image courtesy: @dcmetrosucks via Twitter

(Source: WJLA.com)

A local news agency’s investigation shows countless red light violations by Metrobuses plying the streets of Washington, DC.   Some of the incidents caught on camera show how crazy these bus drivers are to do what they do on the roads.  This video below should become an integral part of WMATA’s training for bus drivers, esp. for repeat offenders.

Too bad WMATA’s communications team now looks like a deer caught in the headlights. They really do not have a strategy in place to handle this PR nightmare and could not come up with even a single example of how it reprimands such careless drivers when asked what disciplinary measures they undertook to stem this problem.

(Source: via Pinterest)