LOSSAN Capital Program Manager

Overview About the LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency: The Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor is a joint powers authority that works to increase ridership, revenue, capacity, reliability, coordination and safety on the coastal rail line between San Diego, Los Angeles and San Luis Obispo. The LOSSAN Agency assumed management responsibility for the Pacific Surfliner service in July 2015, following the execution of an interagency transfer agreement with the state of California. The Pacific Surfliner travels along a 351-mile coastal rail route through San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, serving 29 stations. It is the busiest state-supported intercity passenger rail route in the United States with 24 daily trains and annual ridership of nearly 3 million. The LOSSAN Agency is staffed by the Orange County Transportation. Overview: Under minimal guidance, plans, directs, and administers staff working on a program of highly complex capital projects in the areas of commuter and intercity rail, transit, and other transportation improvements related to the Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor. Manages highly complex scopes of projects with large budget responsibilities, requiring critical oversight of staff, consultants and contractors, and communication and coordination with government agencies, third parties, host railroads, vendors, and suppliers. Responsible for the program of projects that have high visibility with the Board, external agencies, and the public. This is an exempt position in Salary Grade V: $150,996.40 – Mid $178,422.40 – Max $205,878.40 annually. The starting salary will be within this range based on qualifications. This posting will remain open until filled. Responsibilities This list is intended to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification and is not designed to be interpreted as an exhaustive listing of all tasks required of employees assigned to this job. Displays High Integrity & Honesty: Takes personal responsibility, acts with honesty and consistency. Has Technical and Professional Expertise: Has the technical skills, product knowledge and professional skills to do the job Plans, organizes, directs, and participates in the agency's project development activities. Coordinates the development of projects with local, regional, and statewide agencies. Selects, trains, and supervises a professional and technical staff of employees and consultants responsible for planning, design, and construction of projects and facilities in support of the Pacific Surfliner service. Oversees, controls, and manages the successful completion of multiple highly complex engineering and construction projects. Supervises the work of contractors, engineering staff and consultants, affected public agencies, and utilities to achieve project completion. Is responsible for the coordination with the appropriate host railroads and operators. Establishes project schedules and budgets, assigns project tasks, and monitors completion. Visits to and performs investigations of the project location(s) or site(s) during the environmental, design and construction phases. During the construction phase(s), responsibilities will necessitate being at the construction site periodically with the construction contractor(s) and possibly being around heavy construction activity. Directs and administers environmental phase, design, and construction contracts with host railroads, external consultants, vendors, contractors, or suppliers. Reviews complex engineering studies from consultants and staff; initiates required changes to designs, quality procedures, staffing, schedules, and/or project organization. Ensures appropriate allocation of project costs, completion of project milestones, and changes to project scope in accordance with project budget and funding availability. Negotiates critical project contracts, agreements, task orders, amendments, and change orders. Manages the use of project contingencies, and makes recommendations for approval with external consultants, contractors, host railroads and agencies and internal agency personnel. Understands and applies principles, procedures, and techniques for managing complex capital programs and projects. Understands contracts, contract compliance, state/federal transportation practices, and regulatory laws, ordinances, codes, specifications, and plans. Applies industry practices for engineering and construction of transportation facilities. Understands and applies rail service planning and schedule development. Develops Strategic Perspective: Knows how immediate work relates to organizational strategy, translates into actionable steps. Develops and implements long-range strategies to achieve project milestones. Directs consultants in the preparation of surveys, studies, reports, construction plans, specifications, and cost estimates, and performance of program management and construction management services. Leads the preparation of appraisals and negotiation for the acquisition of real property and management of real property as necessary to support Pacific Surfliner service, with the support and coordination of the State. Presents project status information and project items requiring approval from the Board of Directors, agency executives, and committees. Assists in the development of a project controls process and monitor, track, and report on the status of project budgets and schedules. Develops funding and budget requests for capital programs and coordinates with the LOSSAN finance team in the development of budgets and grant applications. Solves Problems & Analyzes Issues: Has and applies problem analysis and problem-solving skills on a technical and interpersonal level. Resolves critical issues which may arise regarding assigned projects with contractors, consultants, cities, host railroads, and regional, state, and federal agencies such as the Caltrans, local jurisdictions, stakeholders, the public and others. Identifies and corrects conditions that may adversely affect the completion of project phases on schedule and within budget. Uses engineering knowledge and judgment to identify solutions and resolve issues, as necessary. Analyze and resolve complex technical rail design problems. Develop solutions to technical and procedural problems that support the goals of the program and expectations of all concerned personnel. Works in a Collaborative Manner with Others: Works in a collaborative manner with others, helps resolve unproductive conflict. Acts as liaison and representative with the agency's Board of Directors and executives as well as elected officials, executives, and decision makers from cities, regional, state, and federal agencies, external consultants, host railroads, contractors, special interest groups, and the public. Acts as liaison in the coordination of regional and statewide projects and programs related to the overall enhancement and growth of the Pacific Surfliner service. Qualifications Any combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or related field and advanced training in project management and public transportation with a minimum of eight years professional experience, in the management of large and complex programs that include coordinated operations. Rail service planning and schedule development experience. Experience must include demonstrated project management experience. Familiarity with the design-build method of project delivery is desirable. Master’s degree in civil engineering or a closely related field is desirable. Special Qualifications: Professional registration as a Civil Engineer in the State of California. Working Conditions/Physical Activities: (The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. OCTA provides reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions). Positions in this class typically require: Work may be performed in a stressful, fast-paced office environment, depending upon assignment. Requires ability to understand verbal communication and to respond effectively. Positions in this class typically require: Reaching, Finger Dexterity, Grasping, Feeling, Talking, Hearing, Seeing, and Repetitive Motions in computer use. Hazardous Conditions: Positions in this class may also include these factors: Hazardous physical conditions/materials; Construction zones. Atmospheric conditions. Extreme temperatures. Intense noise. Travel. Compensation and Benefits: OCTA offers an attractive compensation and benefits package that includes medical, dental and vision health insurance programs, flex time (may be available), paid sick leave, paid vacation and holidays, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, retirement, deferred compensation plan, educational reimbursement, excellent in-house training programs, free transportation passes for the employee and dependents, wellness and ergonomic programs, and much more. OCTA has a hybrid remote work program. Eligibility is dependent on manager’s approval. OCTA is an equal employment opportunity employer that recruits, hires, and promotes qualified people without regard to race, color, religion, creed, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, disability, genetic information, military and veteran status, or other legally protected status.