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, and sustainability and 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 Technical Project Manager will assist in overseeing and managing all project aspects of transit scheduling and operations management business process and technology projects for the Workforce Modernization Program (WMP) in partnership with the Information Technology Department (ITD).
The Workforce Modernization Program (WMP) is comprised of project initiatives focused on the continuous improvement of business processes and technology used for transit planning and scheduling, transit employee work selection, and transit day-of-operations and workforce management for bus, light rail, and heavy rail operations.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Lead the definition of project scope, cost, and schedule, including milestones, tasks, deliverables, and resource requirements, based on best practices in project management and software development lifecycle (SDLC) approaches.
- Help set project objectives in collaboration with project sponsors and leadership.
- Establish a communication strategy in partnership with department leadership and effectively communicate project related information to team members, WMP and ITD management, and stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.
- Develop and maintain project plans, status reports, risks and issues log, budget / ongoing project forecast of resources and materials, and other project artifacts using MBTA systems, tools, and templates.
- Effectively negotiate project resource needs and competing priorities with IT and business stakeholders.
- Create and execute strategies for risk mitigation and contingency planning.
- Manage, assess, and negotiate project scope changes, and identify dependencies.
- Ensure that assigned projects are conducted in compliance with all department standards, policies, and guidelines.
- Apply appropriate levels of tailoring to meet project-specific needs, while still operating within the standard project management framework.
- Efficiently identify and resolve project issues.
- Escalate issues that require executive, management, or business attention.
- Manage performance and drive deliverables to meet agreed upon dates and levels of quality.
- Ensure stakeholder engagement throughout the project, including decision making, managing scope / budget changes, eliciting and prioritizing business requirements, planning and executing acceptance testing, migration to production, training, and transition to support.
- Foster confidence and trust with stakeholders throughout each project.
- Perform with a strong sense of urgency and ability to meet deadlines.
- Handle sensitive and confidential information in an appropriate manner.
- Uphold the rights and interests of the Authority while building and maintaining an effective relationship with employees.
- Assist in the management of a workforce by ensuring the fair and consistent application and strict adherence to the rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable) and policies of the Authority, including the EEO, Anti-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment and Anti-Retaliation policies.
- Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.
Additional responsibilities may include a focus on one or more departments or locations. See applicable addendum for department or location-specific functions.
Minimum Requirements & Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
- Five (5) years of project management experience in the management of technology projects or related field.
- Two (2) years of experience in a supervisory capacity or successfully leading very large or complex projects.
- Demonstrated experience with various project management methodologies (Waterfall, Agile, Kanban, etc.), and knowledge and application of industry standard project management principles and methodologies delivered using various systems development lifecycles.
- Proven experience in negotiating and organizing project deliverables and timing within a complex business environment to manage stakeholder's expectations.
- Demonstrated ability to drive projects to completion.
- Demonstrated experience managing projects that involve mission-critical technology changes and deployments.
- Ability to build consensus amongst project team members and key stakeholders.
- Ability to effectively coordinate and communicate with various project stakeholders, organizational leadership, and team members.
- Ability to prioritize and work on multiple tasks simultaneously while maintaining high quality standards.
- Ability to operate in a matrix environment.
- Ability to supervise and work effectively with a diverse workforce.
- Excellent attention to detail.
- Strong working knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Teams).
- Strong working knowledge of project management software, including MS Project and MS Visio.
- Excellent organizational, analytical, multi-tasking, time management, and documentation skills.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, and effective presentation skills.
- Excellent customer service and conflict resolution skills.
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.
Preferred Experience and Skills
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, Computer Science, Project Management, Urban Planning, or related field.
- Experience with enterprise applications or enterprise-wide systems.
- Experience with HASTUS or similar transit scheduling and operations management applications, such as Trapeze FX or Trapeze OPS.
- Experience in the public transit or transportation industry.
- Experience with industry-specific ERP applications.
- Experience managing projects within federal, state, or local government.
- PMP Certification.
- Experience in change management.
Job Conditions:
- Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. in English
- Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences
- Ability to work effectively independently and as part of a 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 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 medical Clinic screening, potentially including a 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
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 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: Although the MBTA is an Equal Opportunity Employer, all employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer and on an unrestricted basis (the MBTA does not sponsor non-US citizens). However, if you have an unrestricted work authorization, or sponsored by a separate entity, you are welcome to apply for open positions. International students taking part in CPT / STEM / OPT programs through a university are eligible for internships and co-ops with the MBTA. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired 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 hradaaa@mbta.com.
- 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.