Project Director, Blue Line Extension LRT

Metropolitan Council
$153,608.00 - $307,216.00 Annually
medical insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, vision insurance, retirement plan, pension
United States, Minnesota, St. Louis Park
Nov 18, 2024
WHO WE ARE We are the Metropolitan Council, the regional government for the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. We plan 30 years ahead for the future of the metropolitan area and provide regional transportation, wastewater, and housing services. More information about us on our website. We are committed to supporting a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve. Metro Transit is one of the country's largest transit systems, employs more than 3,000 people, and prior to COVID provided more than 80 million rides a year through an integrated network of buses, light rail and commuter trains, as well as resources for those who carpool, vanpool, walk or bike in the Twin Cities. The METRO Blue Line Extension Light Rail Transit (LRT) will be an extension of the METRO Blue Line that will serve northwest communities from downtown Minneapolis through north Minneapolis, Robbinsdale, Crystal and Brooklyn Park. In September 2023, the METRO Blue Line Extension Corridor Management Committee (CMC) passed a resolution in support of a new singular route recommendation for the METRO Blue Line Extension. The new route for the METRO Blue Line Extension will extend the existing Blue Line light rail transit from Target Field Station along West Broadway Avenue in Minneapolis to County Road 81 in Crystal and Robbinsdale, and along West Broadway Avenue in Brooklyn Park. How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities region: The Blue Line Extension LRT Project is a critical component in building the future of our region. It will serve tens of thousands of riders each day, advancing the economic competitiveness of our region and a future of shared prosperity. It will advance goals of racial equity, serving some of the most diverse communities in our region. It will further local and statewide goals to reduce vehicle miles traveled and reduce overall negative climate impacts. The Project Director of Blue Line Extension LRT provides senior level management to a project office of nearly 100 professional, technical and administrative staff. This includes providing policy and strategic direction on project development, contracting, engineering and construction as well as overseeing the overall project budget and schedule, for the Blue Line Extension LRT. The Blue Line Project office is in St. Louis Park. What you would do in this job Represent the Project and serves as the strategic liaison between Metro Transit/Met Council, FTA, Hennepin County, project partners, corridor cities and other key stakeholders. Oversee development of over 20 project management plans required as part of the Federal New Starts process and for the development and implementation of effective processes and procedures. Oversee the design, engineering, construction and delivery of the Blue Line Extension. This includes assigning responsibilities, delegating tasks, empowering staff, removing obstacles, allocating resources, coordinating work efforts and monitoring progress. Oversee the project budget and schedule. Communicate clearly and effectively with diverse stakeholders including project and agency staff, the public, elected officials, project partner staff and private entities. Provide direction, establish priorities and assign roles and responsibilities that link diverse teams, departments and functions to ensure a collaborative and inclusive process. Present business items and project update to the Metropolitan Council and its advisory committees, project specific advisory committees, various elected bodies and other stakeholders as requested. Works with elected officials, policy board members and community groups. Work with Met Council, Hennepin County, and community stakeholders to develop and implement a strategy to prevent displacement of residents and businesses in the communities served by the Project. What education and experience are required for this job (minimum qualifications) Any of the following combinations of progressively responsible general management experience (planning, finance, budgeting, etc.) in a multi-modal transportation agency working in capital and/or operating environment AND completed education in Transportation, Business Management, Public Administration, Engineering or a related field: A high school diploma/GED with twelve (12) years of experience, including five (5) years of experience involving capital project management, leadership of multiple functions and strategic direction with demonstrated success delivering projects on-time and on-budget. An associate degree with ten (10) years of experience, including five (5) years of experience involving capital project management, leadership of multiple functions and strategic direction with demonstrated success delivering projects on-time and on-budget. A bachelor's degree with eight (8) years of experience, including five (5) years of experience involving capital project management, leadership of multiple functions and strategic direction with demonstrated success delivering projects on-time and on-budget. A master's degree, or higher, with six (6) years of experience, including five (5) years of experience involving capital project management, leadership of multiple functions and strategic direction with demonstrated success delivering projects on-time and on-budget. What additional skills and experience would be helpful in this job (desired qualifications): Experience with effectively managing and leading large-scale complex and diverse project teams (two years or more in length). Experience acting as a key spokesperson for an organization, speaking before elected officials and advisory committees. Experience understanding technical analysis and interpretation of complex data and ability to communicate it in plain language to diverse audiences. What knowledge, skills and abilities you should have within the first six months on the job: Superior planning and project management skills. Ability to balance big-picture strategic plans with day-to-day design and construction demands. Knowledge of FTA CIG project development, implementation and management. Knowledge of current public transportation policy and legislation. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Skilled in understanding technical analysis and interpretation of complex data and ability to communicate it in plain language to diverse audiences. Skilled in developing and implementing contingency plans, assessing risk and achieving goals within budget and on schedule. Superior leadership skills. Ability to develop effective organizational structures, processes, and procedures that support effective large scale and diverse project teams. Ability to create high-performing and collaborative teams. Ability to handle information/issues in a confidential manner. Ability to work well with and speak before elected officials and advisory committees. Ability to develop and implement near term action plans and long-range plans. Ability to solve complex problems quickly and complete within demanding deadlines. What you can expect from us: We offer the opportunity to make a difference and positively influence the Twin Cities metropolitan area. We encourage our employees to develop their skills through on-site training and tuition reimbursement. We provide a competitive salary and excellent benefits. More about why you should join us! Additional information Union/Grade: Non-Represented Classified/Grade E-1 FLSA Status: Exempt Executive Safety Sensitive Designation: No What your work environment would be: Work is primarily performed in a standard office work environment, however there will be some travel from primary work site to other sites and to construction sites, and occasionally out of state. At times incumbent in this position will be exposed to outdoor weather conditions, near moving parts and equipment, fumes and airborne particles and electrical items. What steps the recruitment process involves: We review your minimum qualifications. We rate your education and experience. We conduct a structured panel interview. We conduct a selection interview. Once you have successfully completed the steps above, then: If you are new to the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a drug test (safety sensitive positions only), and a background check which verifies education, employment, and criminal history. A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the job. If you have a criminal conviction, you do not automatically fail. The Metropolitan Council considers felony, gross misdemeanor and misdemeanor convictions on a case-by-case basis, based on whether they are related to the job and whether the candidate has demonstrated adequate rehabilitation. If you are already an employee of the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a drug test (if moving from a non-safety sensitive position to a safety sensitive position) and criminal background check if the job you're applying for is safety sensitive, is a supervisory or management job, is in the Finance, Information Services, Audit, or Human Resources departments, or has access to financial records, files/databases, cash, vouchers or transit fare cards. A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the position. IMPORTANT: If you make a false statement or withhold information, you may be barred from job consideration. The Metropolitan Council is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and veteran-friendly employer. The Council is committed to a workforce that reflects the diversity of the region and strongly encourages persons of color, members of the LGBTQ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. If you have a disability that requires an accommodation during the selection process, please email HR-OCCHealth@metc.state.mn.us.