Senior project manager

At the MBTA, we envision a thriving region enabled by a best-in-class transit system. Our mission is to serve the public by providing safe, reliable, and accessible transportation. MBTA’s Core Values are built around safety, service, equity, sustainability, and culture. Each employee that works for the MBTA performs their roles based on our vision, mission, and values. This includes attendance, participation, and contribution in local safety committee meetings as needed.

Job Summary

The Senior Project Manager of Quality, Compliance, and Oversight (QCO) will oversee the development, implementation, and close-out of regulatory findings from oversight authorities such as Federal Transit Agency (FTA) and the Department of Public Utilities (DPU), and/or enterprise projects that further the MBTA’s strategic goals or to address deficiencies and/or opportunities for improvement at the MBTA.

The Senior Project Manager will contribute to the scope and deliverables from project initiation through close-out. In coordination with the Senior Directors and/or Directors, QCO project teams will manage and steer a portfolio of initiatives that involve internal stakeholders, QCO staff, and where applicable contractor teams that support departmental efforts. The Project Manager additionally contributes to program-wide initiatives and verifications.

The MBTA Quality, Compliance & Oversight Office was established in 2022 in response to the FTA’s Safety Management Inspection Report. As a procedural and regulatory Project Management Office, the mission of the department is to bring about broad transformative change to the MBTA to address identified deficiencies and to support the MBTA’s strategic goals that have impacts across the authority.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Manage multiple QCO projects simultaneously, providing coordination among external parties as well as internal MBTA stakeholders that support these projects.
• Responsible for delivery and performance of assigned deliverables within projects in portfolio, including budget, schedule, and quality. Ensure cost requirements are met and that documents satisfy the high-quality standard set by the QCOO.
• Coordinate project review of plans and specifications with a wide range of internal departments and external agencies.
• Assist in the development of project scopes, requests for proposals, statements of work, and submissions to the FTA to satisfy assigned Corrective Action Plans.
• Assist with negotiations of project assignments, task orders, amendments, change orders and use of contingency and make recommendations for approval, as required.
• Ensure project coordination with other MBTA Departments.
• Organize and coordinate a multitude of different types of meetings.
• Coordinate with other QCOO staff and contractors, as required.
• Ensure that project activities with outside agencies, community groups and other third parties occur on a timely basis.
• Assisting to lead transformative change within the MBTA, using business process redesign techniques, cutting across multiple departments and stakeholder groups.
• Prepare correspondence, reports, charts, and presentations utilizing Microsoft Word, Excel, Project and PowerPoint, as required.
• Prepare for and make project presentations as required.
• Critically think through, identify, trouble-shoot, and resolve project issues.
• Prepare of task orders for consultant services and manage external consultant support for project review and studies; assist with and procurement of consultants as required.
• Work both independently and in support of project teams to address complex tasks in a time-sensitive environment.
• Follow up on actions required for successful project completion, as required.
• Prioritize workloads, work effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, build consensus, communicate effectively, both written and verbally, and prepare and make project presentations.
• Respond to each inquiry, whether from a customer, vendor, or co-worker in a courteous and professional manner consistent with the Authority's Customer Experience quality standard.
• Uphold the rights and interests of the Authority while building and maintaining an effective relationship with employees.
• Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.

Supervision

• May supervise Project Coordinators or Contractors.

Minimum Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in Engineering, Public Administration, Business Administration, Planning or related field.
• Five (5) years of experience in project management, public administration, planning, or transportation services.
• Two (2) years of experience in leadership, supervisory, and/or management.
• Experience with methods of business process redesign and familiarity with Quality Assurance principles.
• Excellent writing, organizational, analytical, time management and interpersonal skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Project, and PowerPoint applications.
• Effective professional written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proven track record of collaboration, transparency, and problem-solving skills.
• The ability to effectively communicate with customers, employees and vendors.
• Excellent customer service and conflict resolution skills.

• The ability to supervise and work effectively with a diverse workforce.

Substitutions Include

• A High School Diploma or GED with an additional seven (7) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor’s degree requirement.
• An Associate degree from an accredited institution an additional three (3) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor’s degree requirement.
• A Master’s degree in a related subject substitute for two (2) years of general experience.
• A nationally recognized certification, or statewide/professional certification in a related field substitutes for one year of experience.

• A Master's degree from an accredited institution in Civil Engineering, Business Administration, Public Administration, Planning, or a related field.
• Seven (7) years of experience in project management.
• Agile or Lean certification.
• Previous public sector experience, particularly with the MBTA, MassDOT, FTA, or a transit agency.
• Experience in transit safety regulation, human resources, or transit construction, maintenance, or operations.
• Familiar with FTA, MBTA and MassDOT rules and regulations, processes, and policies.
• Possess a valid driver's license.

Job Conditions:

• Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. in English.
• Be at least eighteen (18) years of age, except if participating in an approved high school internship / co-op program.
• Ability to commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA metro area, as required by the role.
• Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences.
• Ability to work effectively, independently, and as part of a diverse workforce team (or supervise, if required).
• Ability to uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while building and maintaining effective relationships with employees and co-workers.
• Ability to adhere to rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the MBTA, including the EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies.
• Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting (unless if current student or recent graduate), including overall employment, job performance, discipline, and safety records (infractions and/or offenses occurring after the closing of the posting and before the filling of a vacancy may preclude a candidate from consideration for selection).
• Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, comprehensive background screening, and / or medical Clinic screening, potentially including physical examination and drug and alcohol screenings.
• Ability to work all shifts and / or locations assigned, directed, or necessary for this position, including (for some transit / operations roles) up to twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as necessary to accommodate severe weather conditions, emergencies, or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service.
• Intern / co-op staff must be enrolled full or part-time in an accredited educational program and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 for the entire duration of the internship / co-op. Additionally, interns / co-ops must have valid work authorization and U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting their positions and throughout the duration of their program.

Disclaimers and Definitions:

• General Disclaimer: The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe a summary, general nature, and complexity of typical job functions and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required of staff assigned to this position.

• Application Completion: It is each applicant’s responsibility to ensure application details are entered completely and correctly, including updated work and education histories (past and current). Incomplete applications may not be considered. Attachments do not substitute for application fields. The recruitment team does not have access to existing employee data / history.

• Application Deadlines: Applicants should apply as soon as possible, as the MBTA may stop considering applicants after a sufficiently large applicant pool is established.

• Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here-in are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. See job description for role-specific requirements.

• Work Eligibility: All employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States and on an unrestricted basis. The MBTA does not have an employer work sponsorship program. However, if you have unrestricted work authorization, or are sponsored by a separate entity, you are welcome to apply. Further, all persons hired will require a U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting the position and employees will be required to complete a Form I-9 to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the U.S.

• Interviews: Candidates should ensure they arrive on time, are prepared, can remain for the duration, and if remote, are in a quiet place without distraction, for the interview. Candidates who do not attend their interview without advance authorization, including an email confirmation of a rescheduled time/date from Human Resources, will be considered a no-show and disqualified from consideration for the position. Related to rescheduling, on a one-time basis, and due to something emergent, you may be allowed to reschedule the interview. In addition, Human Resources may require documentation supporting the request. However, should you need to reschedule, you will need to contact your Recruiter directly by email.

• Safety Sensitive Positions: Employees working in this classification will be subject to periodic physical examinations plus random drug and alcohol testing.

• On-call or 24/7 Positions: Employees working in this classification must be available to respond to page / text / call and report to work as determined by assigned department or the Authority.

• Essential / Emergency Staff: During declared "states of emergency," employees working in this classification are required to report to work for their assigned work hours or as directed by management.

• ADA Accommodations: The MBTA makes reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation during this process, please contact the MBTA's ADA Unit at 617-222-5751 or [email protected].

• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The MBTA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. For terms, descriptions, and definitions related to diversity, equity, inclusion, veteran status, and immediate family members that you may find on the application form, please visit mbta.com/careers-app-definitions.

• Intern / Co-Op Benefits: Employees taking part in an internship or co-op at the MBTA are eligible to receive accrued paid sick leave as well as a monthly transportation pass, based on the city from which the intern / co-op commutes to work, at no cost. However, no additional benefits are currently offered for interns or co-ops.