Manager, Transportation Operations

The Role

Manages the maintenance, and operation of Regional roads and traffic control devices, and makes recommendations to the Director on the planning, design, reconstruction, maintenance, and operation of the transportation network.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Supervises a Supervisor of Technical Operations; Supervisor of Administration & Dispatch Services; Supervisor of Traffic Signals; Supervisor of Signs & Markings; and Roads Area Supervisors. Indirectly supervises approximately 75 additional staff, as well as temporary seasonal staff.  Ensures staff are properly licensed, certified, and trained. 
• Provides technical assistance/advice to area municipal staff, contractors, and consultants performing road maintenance and construction to ensure operations are performed collaboratively, efficiently, and effectively to ensure infrastructure safety and longevity. Provides technical expertise and collaborates with Design & Construction Division staff during design and construction phases for same. Collaborates with Traffic Engineering staff to provide expertise on maintenance and safety aspects of projects.
• Manages area maintenance contracts with Kitchener, Waterloo, and Cambridge. Handles disputes, claims, and issues related to performance and quality of work for same
• Prepares organizational plans and recommends staffing levels. Develops and recommends operating policies and procedures, long range plans, work programs, performance and quality standards, and maintenance standards and manuals. Maintains a project follow-up system. Assembles and analyzes cost and performance data.
• Assesses road conditions, and scope of repair/maintenance to determine next steps (maintenance or capital project).
• Manages road maintenance and repair operations, including surface maintenance, shoulder maintenance, roadside maintenance, drainage and structure maintenance, safety device maintenance, and winter operations. Manages scheduling of operations and preventive maintenance programs for bridges and structures on the road system.
• Manages the maintenance and repair of traffic control installations (traffic lights, controllers, flashing beacons, crosswalks).
• Manages the manufacture, installation, repair, and replacement of traffic control signs and support structures (regulatory, warning, information, detour). 
  Manages pavement marking programs (centre and edge lines, crosswalks, intersections, bike paths, route markings, reflectorized pavement markers, other safety devices).
• Determines/authorizes signage, marking, and signal requirements (with supervisors) for complex/irregular operations to ensure compliance with legislation and fit with traffic engineering considerations, including safety.
• Manages maintenance activities on water and spur per agreement with railway authority.
• Manages interaction of maintenance activities between LRT and roadway right of way where LRT is situated including roadway/boulevard, traffic signals, and signs and markings.
• Manages vehicle/equipment replacement specifications and works with Finance and Fleet for purchasing/outfitting same. Determines vehicle/equipment needs and approves functional requirements/specifications. Develops and recommends policies and procedures to ensure control of vehicles and equipment, including preventive maintenance programs. Works with Fleet management on ongoing maintenance program/service levels. Collaborates on driver training/fleet safety with HR, and ensures deficiencies are addressed. Works with HR and supervisors on related investigations.

Additional Duties/Responsibilities

• Negotiates, oversees, and administers contracts for roads maintenance projects. Provides technical assistance and advice during construction and during construction planning with engineering staff. Collaborates with area municipalities and townships to coordinate service and contracts.
• Establishes and maintains protocols and corporate call centre scripts to respond to 24-hour emergency response for public problems, emergencies, and complaints. 
• Participates in discussions regarding communications technology updates/upgrades (e.g., Voice Radio System).
• Develops and maintains the Section’s emergency management plan.
• Manages the salt management plan per Ministry regulations, and related techniques, technology, and standards. 
• Represents the Region in liability claims, as required, and ensures safety/risk management practices are in place.
• Manages the Adopt-A-Road system, including volunteer activities (litter pickup, trail/path maintenance). Provides instruction, signage, safety kits, and training, as required.  Ensures fieldwork is monitored and liaises with agencies/groups.
• Prepares reports to senior management and Council as required for issues related to transportation operations.
• Develops and administers operating, capital, and administration budgets. Monitors and estimates costs, and recommends cost-saving measures. Authorizes inventory requisitions, purchase orders and holds a P-Card. Manages purchases. Ensures the safe operation, maintenance, and replacement of equipment, operations centre, and works yards. 
  Consults on environmental issues with staff in other departments. Coordinates traffic control, accident investigation, and emergency response with Police and Fire, and Paramedic Services. Responds to data requests from other departments. Exchanges technical/policy information with members of Council, area municipal engineering and planning staff, and other government agencies. Coordinates installation/ repair of utility equipment with utility companies. Commissions research reports with external agencies, as needed. Works with corporate communications staff, and provides information to the media.
• Deals with public complaints/questions received directly or via members of Council (e.g., road/worker safety, infrastructure/drainage issues), as well as from contractors and area municipalities.  
• Performs related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Comprehensive knowledge of civil engineering procedures and practices, highway and urban road design, operations and maintenance principles and procedures, structural engineering, underground road and traffic facilities, soil, engineering mathematics, mechanics, and physics, normally acquired through a university degree in Civil Engineering or equivalent field, plus significant, progressively responsible experience in public works, management, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Membership/eligibility for membership in the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT) and the technologist level. 
• Knowledge of and ability to comply with policies, procedures, collective agreements, standards, specifications, guidelines and legislation (e.g., Highway Traffic Act, Drainage Act, Highway and Transportation Improvement Act, Municipal Act, Planning Act, health and safety, transportation of dangerous goods, and environmental assessment) and Ontario Traffic Manuals.
• Ability to advance priorities and balance objectives in a political environment; achieve objectives and goals, and organize and coordinate administrative, technical, operational, and financial components of work.
• Leadership, communication, and human relations skills to manage, develop, motivate, train, and support staff; communicate effectively with all levels of staff and the public; establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of staff, other government agencies, and the public; give presentations to staff, Committees of Council, area municipal Councils and staff, the public, and interest groups; provide information to the media; and participate as an effective team member.  
  Ability to write technical, financial, and evaluation reports, correspondence, articles for publication, equipment operating manuals, instructions, specifications, and quality and performance standards.  Ability to read and understand reports, journals, proposals, plans, technical drawings, correspondence, and manuals.  
• Computer skills with ability to use software such as Microsoft Office, GIS MapInfo, and an infrastructure management program (Hansen).
• Ability to travel within and outside Waterloo Region.
• Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.