Director of Capital Projects for the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission

Position Description

Are You Ready to Lead and Inspire?

Are you a dynamic leader with a passion for capital projects? Do you thrive in an environment where collaboration, creativity, and communication are key? If so, the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission wants you to join their team as the next Capital Projects Director!

We’re looking for an enthusiastic, forward-thinking leader with a proven track record in delivering complex and innovative capital projects to lead the newly created Capital Projects Department that oversees delivery of regional programs. The ideal candidate is not only technically skilled but also a great communicator who fosters teamwork and brings out the best in others. With a positive attitude, a sense of humor, and a commitment to empowering employees, you’ll lead a talented team ready to deliver impactful projects.

Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission offers exciting multimodal projects and a workplace that prioritizes a positive workplace culture. This is your opportunity to make a real difference while advancing your career in a dynamic, supportive, and innovative environment.

If you're ready to hit the ground running and lead with purpose, apply today to join a community that’s eager to welcome you! The future of Santa Cruz transportation starts with you.
Regional Government Services (RGS) and its staff are conducting this recruitment on behalf of the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission.

Click HERE to review the job description.

THE POSITION

Under administrative direction of the Executive Director the Director will plan, organize, provide administrative direction and oversight, and participate in the activities and functions of the Capital Projects department; lead capital project delivery programs; prepare, manage, and conduct the professional transportation Capital Projects work in the field and office for structures, drainage, railway facilities, roadways, highways, bikeways, walkways, and intersections; perform complex transportation engineering analyses, studies, and other related work as is required; develop and implement division goals and objectives; prepare, develop and implement division goals and objectives; develop and enforce policies, procedures, and standards; provide expert professional assistance and support to the Executive Director; and undertake special projects as assigned. Fully integrates the department activities within the agency to accomplish Commission goals and objectives.

The position requires a collaborative, experienced professional who will strengthen the agency’s culture of teamwork, accountability, innovation, empowerment, and service to its customers. This position participates in Commission meetings and will be charged with ensuring an engaged and well-informed community. Some of the top priorities for the incoming Director of Capital Projects include strengthening staff, building trust, and creating a cohesive team.

Future projects include:

• Zero Emission Passenger Rail - The project aims to accomplish zero emission passenger rail transit facility including stations.
• Highway 1 Construction - Completing 5 miles under construction and delivering the remaining 2.5 miles.
• Coastal Rail Trail - Supporting projects implemented by others, implementing future segments identified in the award winning master plan.
• 2016 Measure D - Assist with developing, updating, adopting, and implementing the strategic implementation plan and programming.
• Community Engagement - The Commission is committed to community engagement and communication regarding its projects and services.

THE COMMUNITY:

Santa Cruz County, home to over 270,000 residents, is a dynamic community nestled along the northern shores of Monterey Bay. Located just seventy-five miles south of San Francisco and twenty-five miles southwest of Silicon Valley, the county is renowned for its natural beauty, diverse economy, and vibrant lifestyle.

The county encompasses four incorporated cities: Santa Cruz (population 65,021), Watsonville (population 53,796), Scotts Valley (population 11,928), and Capitola (population 10,180), as well as several unincorporated areas. Santa Cruz County is a gateway to the stunning Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, boasting 29 miles of pristine coastline, including six state parks and six state beaches.

Residents and visitors alike can enjoy a wide array of outdoor activities, from surfing, kayaking, and sailing to mountain biking, cycling, hiking, golfing, and camping. The county's diverse landscapes include vast sandy beaches, lush redwood forests, and productive farmland.

Santa Cruz County also offers vibrant shopping, dining, and cultural experiences unique to the region. The economy is powered by key industries such as high technology, agriculture, and tourism. The area is well-connected, with access to San Jose International Airport, San Francisco International Airport, Monterey Peninsula Airport, and Watsonville Municipal Airport.

Additionally, the county is home to leading educational institutions, including the University of California, Santa Cruz, a globally recognized research university. Santa Cruz County is a truly exceptional place to live, work, and explore.

THE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) serves as Santa Cruz County’s regional transportation planning agency (RTPA) and is a state designated agency responsible for planning and financial programming of transportation projects.

Working together with our local and regional partners, RTC obtains and distributes funding, including voter-approved Measure D funds, to maintain the existing transportation network as well as prepare for the transportation needs of the next generation. The RTC keeps residents, business, and visitors moving wherever they want to go and however they choose to get there.

Governance The Commission consists of five members from the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors, one member each from the Watsonville, Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley and Capitola City Councils, and three members appointed by the Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District. The Caltrans District 5 Director serves as an ex-officio member of the Commission.

Mission & Values

SCCRTC mission is to develop and delivers transportation solutions for a vibrant, sustainable, and equitable community. The organizational values are:

• Integrity
• Transparency
• Professionalism
• Innovation
• Responsiveness
• Equity

Services Provided
In addition to its funding, planning and policy roles, the RTC also provides valuable services to the community including:

• Cruz511 Traveler Information: A go-to place online for a wide range of multi-modal travel resources including a real-time traffic map.
• Motorist Aid: Call boxes, freeway service patrol and extra CHP enforcement on highways during peak periods.
• Bicycle and Pedestrian Hazard Reporting: A system to alert local public works departments to sidewalks and bikeway conditions that need attention.
• Guide to Specialized Transportation Services: for Seniors and People with Disabilities. Lists all accessible transportation services in Santa Cruz County.
• Bus: The RTC also supports and funds a variety of transit projects, including funding for expansion and improvements to local bus service, accessible transportation services, and planning for future uses of the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL HAVE:

Deep Knowledge of and Technical Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of transportation engineering, project delivery, construction administration, and project management.
• Structural engineering, railway, and drainage principles.
• Current standards and policies for the design of complete streets, roads and highways, bikeways, sidewalks and trails, and safe crossings.
• Trends and innovations in transportation engineering design, construction, materials, modeling and travel forecasting, traffic simulation tools, data collection, and analysis.
• Transportation funding sources and reporting requirements.
• Federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies relating to environmental review, design and construction standards, procurement, and contract management.
• Interrelationships between federal, state, regional, and local agencies involved in or affected by transportation engineering projects and programs.
• Principles and practices of leadership, motivation, team building, and conflict resolution.
• Organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs.
• Principles and practices of organization, administration, and personnel management.
• Principles and practices of budget preparation and administration.
• Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation with a focus in accessibility, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Ability to:

• Plan, direct, and control the administration and operations of the department.
• Plan, fund, and deliver complex transportation engineering projects on time, within budget, and with minimal disruption to the traveling public.
• Review engineering plans and specifications prepared by private contractors and consultants.
• Perform complex transportation engineering analyses and studies, utilizing software applications for data analysis.
• Coordinate work of consultants, government agencies, utilities, project partners, and Commission staff to ensure timely, cost-effective project and program delivery.
• Oversee all phases of engineering work in progress and enforce standard safety practices and procedures in the field.
• Interpret and apply construction and design standards, various codes and regulations, department policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.
• Develop and implement department and Commission policies and procedures.
• Gain cooperation through discussion and persuasion.
• Develop, control, and administer the department budget and expenditures.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Communicate clearly and effectively in writing, utilizing technical and statistical information.
• Make presentations that convey complex engineering information and transportation data to a variety of audiences in a manner that is persuasive and easy to understand.
• Supervise, train, and evaluate assigned personnel.
• Develop effective working relationships with Commissioners, member agencies, and business and public groups to gain cooperation and consensus.

Proven Leadership Skills in:

• Visionary leadership, passion for the work they do and the team they lead
• Creative and strategic leadership with the ability to fully implement best practices and improve efficiencies
• Community engagement, and excellent customer service delivery
• Working effectively and positively with departments that occasionally have conflicting priorities
• Staff development
• Communicating complex issues and difficult realities knowledgeably and compassionately to a range of audiences
• Listening to understand; using an interest-based approach to problem solving

COMPETENCIES
Accountability - Considers alternative available actions, resources, and constraints before selecting a method for accomplishing a goal or project
Analytical Thinking - Identifies diverse solutions to complex problems integrating findings from several different disciplines; identifies and evaluates the various options developed and selects the most effective solution
Collaboration - Fosters staff and stakeholder communication and dialogue; identifies opportunities to build consensus for options, decisions, and outcomes
Communication - Exchanges information with constituents using oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills
Customer Service - Continuously searches for ways to increase customer satisfaction
Influence - Maintains an awareness of organizational goals and objectives while simultaneously navigating solutions towards desired outcomes and preserving relationships
Judgment - Makes decisions based on careful thought taking both agency goals and input from others into account
Leadership - Understands formal and informal power and influence structure within the organization and successfully achieves positive, desired outcomes
Leverage Technology - Comfortably works with technology and champions innovative use of technology
Time Management Organization - Manages and prioritizes both everyday responsibilities and high-level, longer-term objectives

Examples of Duties

Click here for the full job description.

Typical Qualifications

Education:
Equivalent to graduation from a four (4) year accredited college or university with major coursework in civil engineering, traffic engineering, construction management, or related transportation field from an accredited college. MA/MS, MBA, or similar advanced degree is desirable.
Experience:
Eight (8) years of progressively responsible transportation engineering experience, including four
(4) years of management or supervisory experience in the public sector, including managing projects, transportation finance, and a demonstrated understanding of State and Federal transportation funding and planning processes.Experience reporting to and interacting with a Board of Directors and providing information for board or commission decisions is desirable.
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES:
Must possess and maintain valid registration as a Professional Civil Engineer in California.

Supplemental Information

BENEFITS

Employees pay employee contribution (7% of income) and RTC pays employer contributions as defined by CalPERs:

- Classic employees - 2% at 55

- PEPRA employees - 2% at 62

Health Insurance: RTC pays insurance premiums as below per MOU

• Employees only: 95% of the monthly premium for the Blue Shield Access (EXT) HMO premium
• Employees plus one: 90% of the monthly premium for the Blue Shield Access (EXT) HMO premium
• Employees + two or more: 90% of the monthly premium for the Blue Shield Access (EXT) HMO premium

Dental: 100% Paid by RTC for Employee and Family Vision: RTC covers 100% premium for employees only

Life Insurance: RTC pays premium for $50,000 with AD&D.

Employees can pay for additional insurance coverage through AFLAC

Leave with Pay

RTC provides PTO which is used for vacation and sick. It accrues at the following rates (note that it’s based on hours of service, not years of employment):

Staring at .0846 hours per hour for the first 10,400 hours worked (about 4 years of employment), which is approximately 22days of leave. Increasing to approximately 37 days of leave after working 31,201 hours.

SELECTION PROCESS

DEADLINE TO APPLY: January 12, 2025, at 11:59 PM PST.

Apply at: https://bit.ly/RTCDirCapProjects

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and a focused resume detailing their recent (within the past 10 years) experience and demonstrated career accomplishments relevant to this position along with their application and supplemental questionnaire. All application materials must be submitted through the online system.

Each candidate’s background will be evaluated based on information submitted at the time of application, and qualified candidates will participate in a preliminary remote screening interview, tentatively scheduled for the week of January 20, 2025. The most qualified candidates from the remote interview will be submitted for consideration for final selection by the Executive Director.

Neither Regional Government Services nor the RTC are responsible for the failure of internet forms or email transmission in submitting your application. Candidates who may require special assistance in any phase of the application or selection process should advise us by emailing lbutler@rgs.ca.gov.

Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Agency will tentatively hold hiring interviews the week of February 13, 2025. All communication and notices will be sent via e-mail.Additional inquiries about the position may be directed to lbutler@rgs.ca.gov. Candidates who may require special assistance in any phase of the application or selection process should advise Regional Government Services by emailing lbutler@rgs.ca.gov.

Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Closing Date/Time: 1/12/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

• 

• Regional Government Services

• 650.587.7300

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