Senior Project Manager, Fare Modernization

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 provides ridership 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.

How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities region:

• Develop, implement, prioritize, and oversee all fare payment and collection programs and operations that align with Metro Transit, Metropolitan Council, and region-wide fare policy and goals

• Responsible for ensuring fare payment software and hardware continue to meet Payment Card Industry (PCI) requirements for credit/debit card acceptance and lead projects necessary to ensure compliance during and post implementation
• Implement new payment technologies and capabilities to support more payment channels, such as webstore improvements, shared mobility integration opportunities, and advancement of mobile ticketing
• Lead project teams and collaborate with internal stakeholders (such as Information Services) and key vendors (such as Cubic) to ensure fare payment software and hardware security and reliability needs are adequately supported and maintained
• Develop, gain approval, and implement new fare collection systems to expand transit usage to key groups
• Lead all regional fare policy discussions related to fare increases or other changes with the Council, opt-out providers, the Federal Transit Authority, other partners, and stakeholders
• Manage all fare system changes related to approved changes in fare structure, including fare increases/decreases, transfer rules, new fare products/programs, and all other changes/adjustments
• Lead the Title VI analysis of any new fare changes or program implementations
• Other duties as assigned

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college in computer science, planning, finance, public administration, business administration, or in a related field AND seven (7) years of experience in project management for large scale projects of which two (2) of the years were for a government agency

• 5 years of progressively responsible experience in public transit operations, public administration, project management, information system, or banking industry
• Managing projects of large, customer-facing system projects with complex payment systems, including transit fare payment systems or bank payments systems
• Project management skills implementing new software and hardware systems
• Developing and managing large-scale project budgets
• Presentation skills sufficient to share information to large groups and other internal stakeholders, such as senior leadership, council members and other elected officials
• Demonstrated experience collaborating with federal, state and local officials on region-wide projects and initiatives
• Performing high-level negotiations with vendors and federal, state and local officials

• MBA, CPA, PMP or other advanced degree or certification preferred
• Experience working in an equitable, positive, and respectful work environment that values diversity among all employees

What knowledge, skills and abilities you should have within the first six months on the job:

• Payment systems, especially fare collection payment systems
• Principles of financial management (budgeting process, expenditure tracking, revenue tracking, financial reporting, and risk assessment)
• Understanding of strategic business process development and process improvement techniques
• Project management principles and practices for a range of project delivery methods
• Policy and procedure development
• Federal, state and local procurement and contract management
• Supervising, leading, coaching and mentoring staff and project team members; delegating tasks and authority across an organization
• Vendor and contractor management and oversight
• Knowledge of Fare Collection Operations, Fare Collection equipment, and Fare Policy
• Knowledge of tools and techniques for planning and scheduling complex projects
• Knowledge of governmental agency unit budget preparation and of policies and procedures for development and implementation of capital projects
• Ability to work with minimal supervision, and work and communicate effectively with project teams, other unit staff, project managers, consultants, and the public

• Knowledge of project control methods and techniques
• Skilled in using Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Skilled in verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills
• Skilled in project management and leadership skills, including developing effective units and project teams, problem solving, scheduling and budgeting
• Manage large, public facing system projects such as procurement, implementation, installation, testing of electronic fare collection systems, enterprise resource program (ERP) system, or other complex, multi-user internal and/or external systems
• Develop and monitor operations, capital and project budgets
• Work collaboratively with community and project stakeholders at all levels, including the Metropolitan Council, Council and Metro Transit executive leaders, steering and project committees, and other regional agencies, partners and subject matter experts
• Identify and respond to sensitive community and organizational issues, concerns and needs
• Provide critical and strategic thinking, complaint resolution, and problem solving
• Prepare clear and concise administrative financial data and other reports
• Drive and create effective cross-functional teams and working relationships with other department staff including management, vendors, outside agencies, contractors, community groups and the general public
• Interpret and administer policies and procedures sufficient to administer, discuss, resolve, and explain them to staff and other constituencies
• Manage fare policy changes and updates

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, excellent benefits and a good work/life balance.

More about why you should join us!

Union(s): Non-Represented Grade K
FLSA Status: Exempt
Safety Sensitive: No

What your work environment would be:
You would perform your work in a standard office setting.

What steps the recruitment process involves:

1. We review your minimum qualifications.
2. We rate your education and experience.
3. We conduct a structured panel interview.
4. 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.