Chief Operating Officer (Assistant Director of Transportation)

Chief Operating Officer (Assistant Director of Transportation)

Salary

$155,771.77 - $248,612.45 Annually

Location

Government Center West - 1 North University Dr, Plantation, FL

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

1414734

Department

Transp Ops Bus Operations

Opening Date

09/29/2026

Closing Date

Continuous

Veterans Preference Notice

Under Section 295.07, Florida Statutes, certain servicemembers and veterans, and the spouses and family members of such servicemembers and veterans, receive preference and priority, and certain servicemembers may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements, in employment with Broward County and are encouraged to apply for the positions being filled.

International Degree Verification

International degrees must be evaluated by an approved member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) www.naces.org/members or the Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE) https://aice-eval.org/endorsed-members. Candidates are responsible for all evaluation expenses. Completed evaluations do not guarantee employment and are subject to approval by Broward County Human Resources.

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

REQUIREMENTS AND PREFERENCES

The Broward County Board of County Commissioners, Transportation Department is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Chief Operating Officer (Assistant Director of Transportation) in its Operations Division.

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 six major operating departments: Transportation, Aviation, Finance and Administrative Services, Human Services, Port Everglades, and Public Works and Environmental Services; eight offices and three divisions, which all together comprise over 70 lines of business.

The County has nearly 6,700 employees and eight organized bargaining units. The County budget for FY26 is $8.75 billion of which $5.45 billion is Operating, $2.55 billion is Capital and $0.76 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. 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 an 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

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) provides leadership and direction for the Transportation Departments Operations Division, including bus, rail, paratransit, on-board systems, and fleet services. Responsibilities include executive oversight, operational management, financial performance, strategic planning, employee development, safety promotion, customer advocacy, and coordination of assigned division activities. This is a 24/7 operation.

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 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.

The incumbent will work 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 leadership team. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of analyzing data and developing solutions to improve performance. This individual will forecast for future resource needs as they relate to the current structure and upcoming PREMO expansion, while developing and maintaining solid relationships with key internal and external partners.

The COO will participate in union negotiations and union/management relations, playing an instrumental role in developing collaborative, professional, and growth-oriented cultures across all levels of the Operations sections.

As a leader grounded in servant and transformational leadership, the selected candidate will foster a nurturing, employee-focused environment centered on staff development and job satisfaction. By actively engaging staff at all levels, the incumbent will ensure every team member feels heard and appreciated. Additionally, the COO will develop strategic plans to advance entry- and mid-level management skill sets, building a robust leadership pipeline from the ground up. This approach supports BCT's commitment to a Just Culture environment, where mistakes are treated as learning opportunities while team members maintain accountability for their errors.

The COO will collaborate with section leaders to assess current operations for Bus Operations, Bus Maintenance, Paratransit, On-Board Systems, Fleet Services, and Rail to determine immediate and future strategies for optimum performance.

Other top priorities include:

• Networking with peers across the country for determining best practices for BCT.
• Ensuring current operations and preparation for the PREMO expansion.
• Determining KPIs and tracking analytics to measure success and identify areas for improvement.
• Networking and developing key partnerships in all areas of assignment.
• Developing plans and operational goals that further the BCT mission.
• Maintaining communication with staff regardless of the shift. Operations runs 24/7, evening and overnight shifts must be regularly engaged by leadership.
• Formulating plans for rail maintenance for commuter and light rail projects.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Requires a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university, with major course work in Transportation, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a closely related field.

(One year of relevant experience may be substituted for each year of required education.)

Six years progressively responsible experience in the operational management and strategic direction of a public transportation organization providing executive oversight of service delivery, operating budgets, and total fleet operations, 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.

The selected candidate will have strong emotional intelligence and be able to pivot quickly to address emergent issues effectively.

Special Certifications and Licenses

Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Drivers License for duration of assignment.

Other Requirements

Available for 24/7 emergency incident response and operational needs.

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation for this job classification is governed by a specific salary range, with the starting offer aligned within the range to match the successful candidates qualifications, knowledge, and experience. The State of Florida does not have a state income tax. The County's benefits include:

• 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.
• Deferred Compensation - The County offers a voluntary 457 plan offered through three providers: Mission Square, Brighthouse Financial, and Nationwide Retirement Solutions.
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Eligible health expenses and dependent care accounts.
• 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 2026 Engagement Incentive, Broward County will contribute to your Health Savings Account.
• 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.
• Holidays - Eleven (11) holidays and two (2) personal days.
• 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.
• 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.
• Additional Benefits - Employee Development and Personal Income Protection Plans are available.

For additional information on benefits, please visit: www.broward.org/benefits.

SCOPE OF WORK

The functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this class. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the job as necessary.

Directs the strategic vision and operational execution for all assigned operating sections within the Transportation Department.

Oversees the management of all service delivery, including rolling stock maintenance, to ensure service commitments are met.

Champions a culture of safety and ensures its continuous promotion and implementation throughout the organization.

Oversees and ensures compliance with the formulation and execution of annual budgets.

Leads strategic planning for Operations future needs and deliverables. Strives for continuous improvement across all Operations sections.

Participates in union negotiations, grievances, arbitrations, etc.

Monitors performance and ensures tracking of KPIs and analyzes data for trends providing responses for improvement.

Facilitates solutions to problems for all operations, employees, and customers. Collaborates with key stakeholders where necessary.

Represents Broward County Transportation at Board of County Commissioner meetings, constituent meetings, transportation events, public functions, etc.

Prepares, assists, and responds to various audits. Creates action plans for deficiencies.

Ensures employee performance management is executed fairly and timely.

Collaborates on recruitment of vacant executive, managerial, and key operational positions.

Attends Operations related seminars, conferences, trainings to increase knowledge base and learn best newest practices.

Performs related work as assigned.

Competencies

• Financial Acumen:

Interprets and applies key financial indicators to make better business decisions. Provides rich and rigorous forecasts of the financial implications of ideas and opportunities. Makes well-balanced decisions regarding expenditures that take into account multiple considerations.

• Manages Complexity:

Makes sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems. Offers penetrating questions to help others get to the heart of complex situations and find strong solutions. Uses a range of inputs to fully understand and solve problems.

• Balances Stakeholders:

Anticipates and balances the needs of multiple stakeholders. Shares stakeholder feedback while inspiring others to consistently seek input and learn from their internal and external stakeholders. Promotes an environment of high ethical standards and cross-cultural sensitivity in working with all stakeholders.

• Strategic Mindset:

Seeing ahead to future possibilities and translating them into breakthrough strategies. Keeps up to date on current and future industry trends and market forces and considers these when making decisions. Clearly identifies and prioritizes efforts and initiatives to have the greatest strategic impact on the organization.

• Plans and Aligns:

Plans and prioritizes work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals. Makes nimble plans accounting for a range of risks and contingencies. Achieves greater cohesion, integration, and alignment between own group and other areas. Both persistent in adversity and nimble in change.

• Optimizes Work Processes:

Knows the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement. Encourages and rewards continuous improvement and quality outcomes. Equips others to handle day-to-day tasks effectively on their own. Integrates systems to improve quality and service.

• Ensures Accountability:

Holds self and others accountable to meet commitments. Helps team hold each other accountable for goals, adherence to policies and procedures. Tracks team metrics and milestones, redirecting effort, as necessary, for continued progress.

• Interpersonal Savvy:

Relates openly and comfortably with diverse groups of people. Takes time to build rapport in meetings; speaks about common interests and priorities; shows tact and sensitivity in difficult interpersonal situations. Maintains productive relationships with a wide variety of people and from a range of backgrounds.

• Builds Effective Teams:

Builds strong-identity teams that apply their diverse skills and perspectives to achieve common goals. Mentors others on how to build effective teams; takes actions to correct dysfunctional teams. Ensures that the team has the right mix of skills; leverages individual strengths effectively.

• Drives Vision and Purpose:

Paints a compelling picture of the vision and strategy that motivates others to action. Makes the vision real for others and encourages people to buy in; paints an engaging and illuminating picture of future possibilities for the team. Gives people an understanding of how their efforts and contributions make a positive difference.

• Situational Adaptability:

Adapts approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations. Is a powerful role model for adaptability; adeptly shifts approach and helps others do the same. Can be both persistent and flexible, as needed. Helps others adapt swiftly to new situations.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Physical Demands

Physical demands refer to the requirements for physical exertion and coordination of limb and body movement.

Performs sedentary work that involves walking or standing some of the time and involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis or sustained keyboard operations.

Unavoidable Hazards (Work Environment)

Unavoidable hazards refer to the job conditions that may lead to injury or health hazards even though precautions have been taken.

None

SPECIAL INFORMATION

County Core Values

All Broward County employees strive to demonstrate the Countys four core behavioral competencies.

• Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Customer focus: Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.
• Instills trust: Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.
• Values differences: Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization.

Copyright 2025 Korn Ferry. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliance

Broward County is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to inclusion. Broward County is committed to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. We support the hiring of people with disabilities; therefore, if you require assistance due to a disability, please contact the Professional Standards Section in advance at 954-357-6500 or email Profstandards@broward.org to make an accommodation request.

County-wide Emergency Responsibilities

Note: During emergency conditions, all County employees are automatically considered emergency service workers. County employees are subject to being called to work in the event of a disaster, such as a hurricane, or other emergency situation and are expected to perform emergency service duties, as assigned.

County-wide Employee Responsibilities

All Broward County employees must serve the public and fellow employees with honesty and integrity in full accord with the letter and spirit of Broward Countys Employee Code of Ethics, gift, and conflict of interest policies.

All Broward County employees must establish and maintain effective working relationships with the general public, co-workers, elected and appointed officials and members of diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, political affiliation, familial status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, or gender identity and expression.

Broward is a dynamic county that offers an exciting, stable career with incredible employee benefits such as 11 annual holidays, accrued annual/vacation and sick leave, FRS retirement, $50,000 of County-paid life insurance, training and development, and participation eligibility in a deferred compensation (457) plan with a match up to $2,000. In addition, Broward County offers 2 health plans, a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a County-funded Health Savings Account (HSA), and a Consumer Driven Health plan (CDH), Dental insurance, Vision insurance and Section 125 Flexible spending accounts for Medical Expenses and Dependent Care. Employees who are hired into a full-time, or part-time position working 20 hours per week, are considered benefits-eligible. Benefits become effective on the first of the month following 30 days of employment. Additional information about Broward County Benefits.

01

What is your highest level of education from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Transportation, Public Administration, Business Administration, or closely related field?

• No Degree
• Associate Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree
• Doctorate Degree

02

How many years of progressively responsible experience do you possess in the operational management and strategic direction of a public transportation organization providing executive oversight of service delivery, operating budgets, and total fleet operations, or closely related experience?

• No experience
• Less than 6 years experience
• 6 to 7 years experience
• 8 to 9 years experience
• 10 or more years experience

03

The Chief Operating Officer (Assistant Director of Transportation) position requires possession of a valid Florida Drivers License for the duration of assignment. Do you currently possess, or are you able to obtain, a valid Florida Drivers License within 30 days of employment, if selected?

• Yes
• No

04

This position requires the Chief Operating Officer to be available 24/7 for emergency incident response and operational needs. Are you willing and able to meet this requirement, including being on call during off-hours, weekends, and holidays?

• Yes
• No

05

Select all that you possess from the list below.

• Masters Degree in transportation, public administration, business administration, or a closely related field
• 10 or more years senior-level management experience within a multi-modal transit agency, including rail
• 10 or more years in a leadership position managing bargaining units and labor relations
• 10 or more years developing and implementing high capacity transit programs
• None of the above

06

Describe your leadership experience within a mass transit agency.

07

Provide an example of a time when you analyzed a negative trend in transit operational KPIs and designed a targeted strategy to improve performance metrics and service delivery.

08

Please provide a specific example of how you used financial data to identify an inefficiency in total fleet operations and successfully optimized the process to improve service quality while remaining within budget.

09

Describe a major transit operational crisis or emergency incident you led where you had to quickly resolve complex, conflicting information and adapt your strategy in real time to ensure public safety and system recovery.

10

Detail a long-term strategic transit initiative you spearheaded that required you to balance the competing or conflicting demands of diverse stakeholders, such as labor unions, government officials, and the public, while maintaining productive relationships.

Required Question

Employer Broward County

Address 115 S. Andrews Ave.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 33301-4800

Phone (954) 831-4000

Website http://www.broward.org/careers