***Special instructions for the application process are included below***
The Broward County Board of County Commissioners Transportation Department is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Chief Operating Officer.
The Community
Bordering Southeast Florida’s Atlantic coastline, Broward County is the seventeenth most populous county in the nation and the second largest in the state of Florida. Home to over 1.9 million people, Broward County is located between Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties, forming the center of South Florida’s largest metropolitan area in which 6.1 million people reside. Within the County’s approximate 1,200 square miles are 31 municipalities, the largest of which is the county seat, Fort Lauderdale. About two-thirds of Broward County is part of the undeveloped Everglades conservation area. Broward County boasts 23 miles of pristine Atlantic coastline, and its beaches attract both the local population as well as tourists from around the world. With an average year-round temperature of 76 degrees, Broward County has a tropical climate and is a choice destination for over nineteen million visitors every year.
Broward County’s warm climate, demographic diversity, robust and expanding economy, top-rated schools, colleges and universities, cutting-edge healthcare, and an advanced transportation system afford its residents an exceptional quality of life. Broward offers world-class dining, high-quality theater, cosmopolitan nightlife, and premium shopping venues, as well as an abundance of recreational activities such as golf, pickleball, soccer, deep-sea fishing, boating and vast opportunities for fun on the beach.
The Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is in Broward County and is less than two miles from Port Everglades where most major cruise lines use as a homeport. Among Broward County’s abundant retail shopping options is Sawgrass Mills, the largest one-story value retail shopping mall in the United States. For the sports enthusiast, Broward County is home to the National Hockey League’s Florida Panthers, while the National Basketball Association’s Miami Heat, the Major League Baseball’s Miami Marlins, and the National Football League’s Miami Dolphins are just a short drive or quick train ride away.
The County Government
The Broward County government was established under Charter in 1975 as a home-rule government. The County has a Council/Manager form of government. The Broward County Board of County Commissioners is composed of nine members, elected every two years for four-year staggered terms. Commissioners are voted to the position by their district constituents through partisan elections. The Mayor and Vice-Mayor are Commission members annually elected by the Commission for one-year terms. The Commission appoints the County Administrator, the County Attorney, and the County Auditor.
The County Administrator serves as the Chief Executive Officer and manages the County’s seven major operating departments: Transportation, Aviation, Resilient Environment, Finance and Administrative Services, Human Services, Port Everglades, and Public Works; eight offices and three divisions, which all together comprise over 70 lines of business.
The County has nearly 7,000 employees and eight organized bargaining units. The County budget for FY24 is $8.69 billion of which $4.7 billion is Operating, $3.18 billion is Capital and $0.81 billion is Debt Service. The budget reflects strategic investments in transit, the seaport and airport, and many other critical services to residents.
Broward County Department of Transportation
The Broward County Transportation Department is comprised of a comprehensive transportation network that ensures the safe, secure and efficient movement of its citizens.
The existing public transportation network provides approximately 26 million fixed route and express service bus trips annually, with another 2.1 trips through its Community Shuttle program. In addition, the organization is adding over 200 miles of premium service through its Premium Mobility (PREMO) plan. Under PREMO, BCT is transitioning from a bus only organization to a full multi-modal provider of public transportation with heavy rail, light rail, bus rapid transit, and high frequency bus service thus reducing the reliance on single-occupancy vehicles and helping to alleviate traffic congestion. The integration of these premium public transportation services will ensure seamless connectivity between bus services and other transit options.
BCT works closely with federal, state, and local governments, regional agencies and the community at large to address transportation needs and priorities. Moving forward BCT will have enhanced level of long-term planning and coordination with the numerous government organizations, such as: the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Florida Department of Transportation State Safety Oversight Office and the Broward County Metropolitan Planning Organization. By leveraging federal, state, and local funding, the department is able to implement innovative solutions and infrastructure improvements, enhancing the overall quality of life for Broward County residents.
The Position
BCT is seeking to fill the position of Chief Operating Officer (COO). The Chief Operating Officer (COO) provides leadership and direction for the Transportation Department's Operations Division, including bus, rail, and paratransit. Responsibilities include executive oversight, operational management, financial performance, strategic planning, employee development, safety promotion, customer advocacy, and coordination of assigned division activities.
This is an executive leadership position. The incumbent will advise the Transportation Director on strategy, issues, and resolutions. The COO will review and analyze policies, procedures and practices and work with key stakeholders for recommendations/assistance. The COO will be well versed in industry standards and stay abreast of current best practices. Customer service is paramount and special focus must be placed on KPI's trends and response. It is critical that the COO develop productive, collaborative relationships with Broward County leaders, Transportation Department leaders, Union representatives, employees, customers, and the community. The COO must manage in a manner that ensures Broward County Transportation is viewed favorably by customers and employees.
This is an executive leadership position. Works under limited direct supervision, leading the development and implementation of programs within organizational policies and reports major activities directly to the Department Director through verbal, written, and virtual communications. The COO must be able to respond to emergency incidents 24/7.
The Ideal Candidate
The COO is an essential member of the BCT senior team. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of analyzing data and developing solutions to improve performance. This person will be able to forecast for future needs as it relates to current structure and future PREMO expansion. The selected candidate will be able to develop and maintain solid relationships with key partners internally and externally.
The ideal candidate will engage in servant leadership and transformational leadership. This person will foster a nurturing environment that is employee development focused. This leader will pride themselves on employee satisfaction, growth opportunities and working with career-oriented employees. This person will engage staff at all levels and ensure all staff can be heard and appreciated. The COO will be able develop plans to advance entry-level and mid-level management skill set and be able to build a strong management team from entry level on up. BCT is developing a Just Culture environment where mistakes are considered learning opportunities while team members are also accountable for their errors.
The ideal COO will collaborate with section leaders to assess current operations for Bus Operations, Bus Maintenance, Paratransit, On-Board Systems, Fleet, and Rail, to determine immediate and future needs and strategies to assure optimum performance. Other top priorities are:
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Networking with peers across the country for determining best practices for BCT.
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Assuring current operations and preparation for PREMO.
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Determining KPI’s, analytic tracking and analysis to measure success and areas of improvement.
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Networking and developing key partnerships in all areas of assignment.
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Developing plans and operational goals that further the BCT mission.
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Maintaining communication with staff regardless of the shift. Operations is 24/7 and so evening and overnight shifts also need to engage with leadership on a regular basis.
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Developing plans for rail maintenance for commuter and light rail projects.
Additionally, there are opportunities related to data collection, analysis and performance tracking. BCT would like to address on-time performance and improve tracking to expected goals. It would also like to improve the out-of-service for maintenance bus levels. There are opportunities to improve Preventative Maintenance on buses.
Education, Experience and Certifications
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, with major course work in safety systems management, finance, business or public administration, engineering, organizational dynamics, consumer behavior, technology or a closely related field is required. One year of relevant experience may be substituted for each year of required education.
Six (6) years progressively responsible experience is required in administration and management of one of the following areas: public transit, transportation, hospitality, consumer technology, heavy-infrastructure, logistics or closely related experience.
The ideal candidate will have a master’s degree and at least 10 years of senior level management experience in a multi-modal transit agency including rail. Other areas of preferred experience are at least 10 years in a leadership position managing bargaining units and developing and implementing high capacity transit programs.
Lastly, the selected candidate will have a strong emotional intelligence and be able to pivot quickly to address emergent issues effectively.
Compensation and Benefits
The annual salary range for this position is $151,234 to $241,371. The starting salary will be based upon the knowledge and experience of the individual selected. The State of Florida does not have a state income tax. The County’s benefits include:
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Florida Retirement System (FRS) – Employees have the choice of two retirement plans: the traditional pension plan with eight years of vesting or the investment plan with one year of vesting.
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Deferred Compensation – The County offers a voluntary 457 plan offered through three providers: Mission Square, Brighthouse Financial, and Nationwide Retirement Solutions.
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Flexible Spending Accounts – Eligible health expenses and dependent care accounts.
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Health Savings Accounts – When you elect either of the High Deductible Health Plans (HDHP) and you and your enrolled spouse/domestic partner (if applicable) complete the County’s 2024 Engagement Incentive, Broward County will contribute to your Health Savings Account.
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Vacation and Sick Leave – Leave is accrued biweekly for vacation and sick time; annualized at two weeks of vacation and 12 days of sick time; additionally, 40 hours of job basis leave is granted annually for employees exempt from overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
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Holidays – Eleven (11) holidays and two (2) personal days.
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Insurance Coverage – The County offers a variety of benefit plans that employees can purchase including Health, Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending Accounts, Long Term Disability, and Pre-paid Legal. The County subsidizes enrollment in Health and provides a waiver credit if applicable.
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Life Insurance – The County offers $50,000 of group term life insurance. Employees can purchase additional life insurance for themselves and their dependents and spouse/domestic partner.
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Additional Benefits – Access to Credit Union, Employee Development and Personal Income Protection Plans are available.
For additional information on benefits, please visit: www.broward.org/benefits
**********HOW TO APPLY**********
Please apply immediately at:
https://www.alliancerc.com/searches/current-recruitments/chief-operating-officer-broward-county/
For questions and inquiries, please contact:
David McDonald
Phone: (562) 901-0769 x335
Email: dmcdonald@alliancerc.com
Sherrill Uyeda
Phone: (562) 901-0769 x331
Email: suyeda@alliancerc.com
Alliance Resource Consulting LLC
1 Centerpointe Drive, Suite 440
La Palma, CA 90623
Telephone: (562) 901-0769
www.allianceRC.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/alliance-resource-consulting
An Equal Opportunity/ADA Employer
ALL RESUMES ARE SUBJECT TO DISCLOSURE IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE FLORIDA SUNSHINE LAW